A human adventure – an address to the Interval Symposium 2013. Issue 1 (12th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Henri Chevrier, Claude
• Is Part Of: Housing, care and support. Volume 17:Issue 1(2014)
• Page Start: 58
• Page End: 62
• Publication Date: 2014-03-12
• Subjects: Surveillance -- Homelessness -- Hostels -- Housing first -- Humanization -- Lacan; Public housing -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Public housing -- Great Britain -- Management -- Periodicals; 363.585094105
• DOI: 10.1108/HCS-12-2013-0028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1460-8790

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: – The purpose of this paper is to explore the operationalizing of a philosophy of humanization of hostel care and the challenge to such development presented by the proposed adoption of the "housing first" approach ("Chez Soi D'Abord") in Paris. Design/methodology/approach: – The paper is a translation of the transcript of an address given by the author to a symposium of psycho-analytic therapists working with the homelessness resettlement services in their quarter of Paris. It is a narrative of service development, described in some practical detail, with philosophical and psycho-analytic depths. Findings: – A philosophy of care and social education is replacing the philosophy of surveillance that had characterized earlier development of hostels. Psycho-analytic concepts, based on the writings of Lacan, help to understand the importance of addressing the profound psycho-social dislocation of individuals subject to the implicit violence of their situation. Originality/value: – This is the first known paper in print and in English to describe the development of a psychologically informed environment in homelessness resettlement in France.