Development and spatial characteristics of housing support services for individuals with psychiatric disabilities in South Korea

ABSTRACT

This study aims to explore the evolution of mental health housing policies and spatial characteristics for individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities (IWPDs) in South Korea. This study utilised qualitative methods, including literature review and case analysis, to investigate changes of housing policies and spatial characteristics of residential facilities and independent housing for IWPDs in South Korea. The findings indicate that current housing services limit privacy, autonomy for IWPDs and have regional differences in resource allocation. Based on the circumstance of less radical deinstitutionalisation, the Korean mental health housing policy needs a gradual approach addressing regional disparities and enhancing the residential conditions.

KEYWORDS:

• Housing policy
• spatial characteristics
• housing rights for individuals with psychiatric disabilities
• housing support service
• self-determination

Highlights

• Mental health policy can impact independent living environments for IWPDs.

• Privacy and autonomy in residential facilities should be improved.

• Various forms of housing support services will help IWPDs’ independent living.

• Sufficient provision of housing services is critical for IWPDs’community life.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. Figures 1 through 8 are used in accordance with Article 28 of the Copyright Act, permitting the quotation of publicly available works for educational and research purposes. Source attribution is provided to the best of our knowledge, in line with Article 37 of the Copyright Act. All image rights are retained by the original copyright holders.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea [NRF-2019S1A3A2099593].

Notes on contributors

Eun Hee Jung

Eun Hee Jung, PhD, is a researcher at the Institute of Social Welfare, Seoul National University, South Korea. Her research concentrates on community integration and advocating for the human rights of individuals with psychiatric disabilities. She is committed to formulating strategies to improve welfare services, such as housing and employment support, aiming to enhance their quality of life.

Eun Jung Lim

Eun Jung Lim is an independent researcher who earned her Ph.D. in Architecture from Kwangwoon University, South Korea. She has held positions as a Research Professor at the SSK Research Center for Mental Health and Communal Society at Kwangwoon University and as a Manager of the Department of Universal Design Environment at the Korea Disabled People’s Development Institute. Her research interests include the built environment, mental health promotion environments, and universal design.

Nang Hee Kim

Nang Hee Kim, PhD, is a researcher at the Korean Institute of Criminology and Justice in South Korea. Her work focuses on mental health issues within the criminal justice system, emphasizing the treatment and rehabilitation of drug offenders. She explores strategies for the reintegration of inmates into the community and advocates for the rights of individuals with mental illnesses, emphasizing community-based treatment over incarceration.

Sang Kyoung Kahng

Sang Kyoung Kahng PhD, is a professor in the Department of Social Welfare at Seoul National University, South Korea. With a background in mental health social welfare, he is currently focused on enhancing mental health welfare laws and policies in South Korea. He actively contributes to improving the quality of mental health welfare services, emphasizing human rights, and advocating for policy reforms.