Presentation given by Lesley McMahon & Barbara Illsley, UK at a FEANTSA Research Conference on "Understanding Homelessness and Housing Exclusion in the New European Context", Budapest, Hungary, 2010
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Pathways Into and Out of Homelessness - The Case of Problem Gambling
1. Pathways into and out of
homelessness: the case of problem
gambling
Lesley McMahon and Barbara Illsley
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN THE
ENHR
NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT
2. Content
1 Problem gambling
2 A hidden issue and a process
3 Theoretical perspective
4 Data
5 Findings: UK
6 Findings: Australia
7 Reasons for different representations of the
issue
8 Conclusions
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT
3. Gambling and problem gambling
No Social Heavy Problem Pathological
Gambling Gambling Gambling Gambling Gambling
Gambling continuum
Only a small proportion of people who gamble experience problems
with gambling
Problem gambling is defined by Brown (2001) to exist when
gambling activity results in a range of adverse consequences where:
The safety and well-being of gambling customers and/or their families
and friends are placed at risk; and
Negative impacts extend to the broader community
Pathways model of problem gambling (Blaszczynski & Nower, 2002)
Insidious nature of problem gambling
Lack of physiological symptoms
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT
4. Impact of Problem Gambling on
Families and Relationships (APC,
1999)
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT
5. Problem gambling and
homelessness: a hidden issue
Pathways framework exploring homelessness and support issues -
well developed
Limited research into the relationship between problem gambling
and homelessness
Emotionally
vulnerable
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT
6. Theoretical perspective
Critical inquiry
Data as a product are omnipresent and continually
produced due to human agency (Bhaskar, 1998:88)
Approach questions the current knowledge by seeking
to understand the “social ontology” of a phenomenon
(Martin, 2008:517)
The researcher’s and research participants’ role is to
illuminate what data and understandings are false
Need to be conscious of the power relations
in society
The duality of structure and agency
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT
6
7. Data
Objectives
Enquire into the experiences of people who have
experienced problem gambling, and the impact of this
on their housing status
To identify the support factors
Highlight good practice
UK study
11 staff in 9 agencies and 35 individuals
Australian study
Interviewed 26 agency staff in 17 organisations and 8
clients
Funded by Carnegie Trust
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT
8. Key Findings: UK
Agencies
Agencies little awareness of problem gambling
No training received with respect to problem gambling
Lack of resources, and already stretched
People who have experienced problem gambling
Shame felt by people who have experienced problem gambling
Never mentioned problem gambling when rehoused; although
primary reason for homelessness
Never mentioned problem gambling to debt counsellors
Concerned about ability to engage with young people who are
experiencing problem gambling
Lack of informal support: burned bridges with friends and family
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT
9. Key Findings: Australia
Gambling Counselling Agencies
Estimated approx 25% clients have experienced homelessness
or a reduction in housing circumstances caused by the problem
gambling (eviction, repossession, relationship breakdown)
Homelessness sector
Variation regarding awareness of problem gambling as a
discrete issue
Very rarely the presenting issue
Not the primary or secondary reason, but it is a growing factor
especially with clients who have complex needs
Homelessness academic: “Gambling is not an issue”
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT
10. Why the different representations
of the problem?
HOMELESSNESS & HOUSING SECTOR
Client Worker
Non-disclosure Not identifying
Stigma • Not
Shame on
Fear of denial of radar
service • Inade
Needs not meet quate
skills
to
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010 respo
nd
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT
11. Conclusions
Problem gambling is a pathway into homelessness, but, it is
not the primary cause. Over-indebtedness, repossession,
domestic abuse, relationship breakdown are more likely to be
the primary reason for the homelessness episode
If disclosure occurs, support such as talking therapies and
budgeting should be provided to maximise the likelihood of a
sustainable positive housing outcome in the future
Housing & homelessness sector
Training to raise awareness (GamCare)
Develop policies regarding service delivery for people who are
experiencing problem gambling
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT
12. Conclusions
Government policies should be proactive with community
education programmes (illustrating behavioural strategies, as
well as problem recognition)
Should encourage people to talk openly about problem gambling
to remove the stigma and shame
Data collection
Gambling industry to a degree acknowledges its role and
responsibilities
The GREaT Foundation funds support for PG and community
education
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT
Notas do Editor
Australia: growing awareness of the relationship between problem gambling and homelessness (and housing stress)
Gamblers and their families say that lack of trust, lying, arguments and financial stresses leads to enormous pressures on families . 1 in 10 problem gamblers said that their gambling had led to a relationship breakdown . It is estimated that there are around 1 600 gambling-related divorces annually . 1 in 10 gamblers in counselling reported domestic or other violent incidents related to their gambling. Source: Productivity Commission. (1999). Australia’s gambling industries, Report No. 10, Volumes 1–3, AusInfo . Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia. [chapter 7: 7.1]