Rethinking responses towards group-homes: inclusionary legislation, supportive municipal attitudes, and place-based opposition. (24th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Singer, Matan E.; Rosen, Gillad
• Is Part Of: Social & cultural geography. Volume 20:Number 3(2019)
• Page Start: 344
• Page End: 366
• Publication Date: 2019-03-24
• Subjects: Group-home -- community -- NIMBY -- inclusionary legislation -- special needs; foyers de groupes -- communauté -- NIMBY -- législation inclusive -- besoins spécifiques; hogar grupal -- comunidad -- NIMBY -- legislación inclusiva -- necesidades especiales; Human geography -- Periodicals; 304.205
• DOI: 10.1080/14649365.2017.1358821
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1464-9365

Abstract

Abstract: Little research has been devoted to uncontested human services facilities, nor to the legal frameworks siting proposals are situated in. To address these, this paper examines group-homes that operated in Jerusalem, Israel, between 2002 and 2012, identifies and explores a range of responses group-homes encounter. Results point to only low levels of opposition alongside a relatively equal distribution of group-homes across all areas of the city, including affluent neighbourhoods. Interviews with key stakeholders suggest that these results have been the outcome of a combination of inclusionary national legislation, supportive municipal attitudes and actions, and a proactive approach adopted by service-providers. Through focusing on existing group-homes we find that the characteristics of opposition depend, in part, on the stage of the group-home's life cycle in which it occurs. Specifically, opposition occurring in the pre- and upon-siting stages resemble typical NIMBY opposition while those occurring post-siting are more place-based. These results point to the importance of examining opposition within the context of inclusionary legislation, municipal attitudes and place-based responses.