Abstract:

This paper explores the relationship of race and gender to housing quality among clients diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness. the author looks at how client's race and gender affect her/his odds of living in a time-limited and/or physically unsafe housing arrangement. The analysis draws upon clinical, demographic and housing data for 517 African American and white consumers who are served on an out-patient basis by a publicly-funded mental health system in King County, Washington and who have secured some form of living arrangement in the open housing market. The study concluded that public sector clients face formidable obstacles in finding and maintaining safe, permanent housing in the private market. The author has cited various studies that have ackowledged that persons with severe and persistent mental illness face formidable obstacles in securing permanent, safe housing.