MArchD in Applied Design in Architecture (ARB and RIBA part 2) - Oxford Brookes University

Des igning out Homelessness in Oxford

Nur Selin Ucar

Designing out Homelessness in Oxford Nur Selin Ucar - 19034760

University:

Oxford Brookes University

Institute:

School of Architecture

Department: MArchD in Applied Design in Architecture (ARB and RIBA part 2) Research-led Design (Year 1) Supervisors: Emma Rowden Scott Sworts Date:

May 2020

2

ABSTRACT

This study addresses the problem of homelessness in the city of Oxford. As in many parts of the world, the cost of living, lack of affordable house, and high demand for housing are the main reasons why most people deal with homelessness. However, homelessness is not only about this, but it also brings with it many mental disorders. Authorities, aid organizations, and communities make the necessary investments to run campaigns to solve this problem, but the problem has a complex structure that is difficult to solve. One of the reasons is that people struggling with this problem have different identities and, therefore, different needs. This study focuses on identities and different needs. It includes an analysis of the problem of homelessness in general, followed by an Oxford-based analysis. The aim is to propose the most appropriate design based on the findings.

While conducting the study, an interview study, behavioural observation study in areas where homeless people are gathered, and a site observation study were conducted for the project site.

The findings obtained from these studies contributed to the formation of the project narrative.

Achieving an ideal design is very difficult in theory without trying and getting results, but the information I have learned at each stage of the work has led to the formation of a design idea. At the end of the study, an architectural product/facility, which aims to meet different needs and where many services are offered, is presented.

3

CONTENT 5....................................Introducion 8....................................Chapter 1 - Literature Review 16..................................Chapter 2 - Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedent Studies 40..................................Chapter 3 - Site Analysis 52..................................Chapter 4 - Design Approach 59..................................Chapter 5 - Design Decisions 68..................................Chapter 6 - Final Design 80..................................Chapter 7 - Conclusion 82..................................Bibliography 86..................................Appendix

4

INTRODUCTION

Homelessness is one of the most common social and public health problems in not only England, but across the world. Increased homelessness in the street is due to factors such as welfare reform, insecure and expensive private renting and widespread cuts in mental health and social care services due to austerity.

This will provide the backdrop for an analysis of the different identities of homeless people, and a temporal and spatial analysis of homelessness, to provide a better understanding of the homeless' problems. This leads to the first research question pursued in this project: "What are the reasons that make the homelessness problem so complicated and difficult to solve? Is there an ideal solution existing in the world, in the UK, or in Oxford?"

Policies are monitored differently depending on the source of the problem and vary according to the country's governance. Despite many different strategies and methods used to tackle the problem of homelessness, the problem persists and new methods to address it are still being sought.

Governments and charities are closely involved in this issue together, and interact to fund attempted solutions, provide aid or cooperation in monitoring the current scale of the homelessness crisis, or collaborating to produce various projects as attempts to solve this intractable problem.

Through this analysis it was found that some states are seeking more effective policies to mitigate this issue through an approach that creates a variety of accommodation shelter options. It is also contended that the impact of any new shelter devised to address homelessness on the environment and other inhabitants is as important a consideration as its impact on homeless people. In this study, the potential positive and negative effects of different shelter designs on the homelessness problem and whether they help to reduce or increase the problem will be discussed.

This study is a review of the problem of homelessness in Oxford. When examining the issue, it is clear that homelessness is a multidimensional problem and that service strategies should reflect the different needs and characteristics of the homeless population. This study aims to determine the life and accommodation preferences of the homeless people of Oxford by trying to understand the intersectional problems that causes them to stay on the streets.

Where new shelters are deemed necessary and where they are believed to be useful, the design criteria and the standards to be observed should be considered in relation to any calculations that might be made to predict what effects the design will cause. This approach leads to the second research question:

To begin to explore this issue, the study will first undertake an evaluation of accommodation projects in various parts of the world based on the preferences of homeless people accompanied by a review of existing academic studies on this subject.

"What should the architectural product be designed to reduce the problem of homelessness in Oxford offer its users, considering the samples made so far?"

5

Introduction Research Approach and Methods Used

Interview transcripts were produced by the author and coded and analysed for their content and emerging themes. The role of charity organizations, municipalities and state-laws on homelessness and their relationship were discussed. Another issue is Oxford City Council's attitude towards designs like shelter. Previously or planned shelters and feedback on the design of these shelters were asked. It was discussed which criteria is more important to provide the ideal design when shelter is needed.

The interviews were important for understanding what the greatest problems and challenges that charity organisations and municipalities faced in addressing homelessness in their regions. The forms E1, E2, and E3 required to conduct these interviews, respectively, have been approved by Oxford Brookes Ethics Committee (see Appendix A).

This research is largely qualitative but is informed by a mixed method approach to understanding the problem of homelessness and its potential solutions.

The data collection phase of the study began with a desktop analysis of relevant information available about homelessness. This included a review of the existing literature on the topic, analysing relevant news articles on homelessness and examining Oxford City Council's official counts of the homeless and undertaking precedent analysis of several case studies of successful and innovative projects to tackle homelessness in other regions. The project also involved undertaking empirical research, with the author conducting interviews with charity organizations and the City Council members, and conducting observations during site analysis. In this way, it can be possible to determine the facts about the situation of homeless people in Oxford, to understand the existing practices and activities, to create a deeper understanding about their choice of place and their mental health and to understand whether they are aware of the opportunities provided to them.

Site analysis was also undertaken for this project.

This involved visiting the two main sites in Oxford where homeless people congregate and live. This is on Cornmarket Street and down the Cowley Road.

These also happen to be near to where many services for homeless people are located.

Site visits for Cornmarket Street repeated for 3 times (2-daytime, 1-night) for analysis. These visits were for the use of the street in general by homeless people.

For the visits, I got permission with the E1 form prepared by the Oxford Brookes University Ethics Committee (see Appendix A). During these visits, photography was made as limited as possible in order not to disclose private life and prevent people from feeling uncomfortable with being recorded. People's faces were blurred as stated in the ethical conditions.

For the study on Cornmarket Street, note taking and sketch drawings, by keeping the image in mind and drawing after the site visit, were the main methods.

With these observations, the location selection, behaviour of people, and social interactions of the homeless people using this street were examined.

The same ethical sensibilities were in place for the Cowley Road visit. The analysis was made for Cowley Road 4 times (3-daytime, 1-night) for the project site observation. The second analysis examines how people use the space, roads, paths, crowded spots, light, and climate.

Given the vulnerable nature of the cohort being studied, and as the subject matter is based on the private life of the target group, the research project needed to be conducted in a sensitive manner. It is considered likely that homeless people would be sensitive about their situation, and furthermore, there was a risk that my interactions with them may have caused security problems, as there is no precise information about their mental health. As such, it was considered the correct approach in this study to find out about the situation of the homeless in Oxford via proxies. As such, the empirical information obtained from this study was through people who have direct contact with homeless people in their work. This led to semi-structured interviews being conducted with two members of two different charity organisations in Oxford and London, and a Councillor from Oxford City Council. Interviews lasted about 40-60 minutes and interviewees were recruited through an emailed invitation and followed a semi-structured list of questions (see Appendix A).

6

Introduction

The first chapter of the study is based on the definition of homelessness, and the importance of identity differences. Before any problem-design seeking, the literature review creates a general understanding. Studies supporting the theoretical approach about identity theories, mental disorders and prefernece of homeless people are also in this chapter.

The second chapter contains an analysis of the background given in the previous chapter. After general evaluations on homelessness, Oxford-based analysis studies including interviews were conducted.Design projects, which are related to problems that guide research, from different parts of the world are case and precedent studies. These examples provide a preliminary idea for design with their positive and negative aspects.

The third chapter is about the project site and site analysis. The analysis and results of two different locations for two different purposes are in this section. The site and all external conditions shaped the design.

The fourth chapter is the transition part to a design phase. Problems that affect the design and the design responses to these problems are discussed.

The fifth chapter is a report of the decisions taken during the design process. These decisions have led the project to the final design, directly or indirectly. What steps were taken before reaching the final design can be seen in this chapter.

The sixth chapter covers the final design. This section gives details of the architectural project and the narrative as led by the research.

The seventh chapter is the final chapter and explains how the research questions given in the introduction are answered and how they contribute to the creation of the evidence-based final product.

All images in the study that are not cited are created or photographed by the author.

7

1 Literaure Review

"Homelessness" means the absence of shelter and sleeping in public places. Robert E. Drake described homeless people as "any individual without a home" in 1991. Alternatively, in Peter Augustine Lawler’s approach, he emphasized that homeless people have been separated from society. According to this, homelessness was defined as "social marginalization and lack of proper settlement conditions" (Lawler, 2007).

Introduction This section gives the content aimed at defining the phenomenon of homelessness and explaining homeless profiles. There are approaches in defining this phenomenon, sometimes focusing on the inappropriateness of physical conditions and sometimes on individuals who experience homelessness. In all cases, many factors cause the problem of homelessness to be more complicated than it seems and make this problem intractable.

Each individual has different identities and therefore different needs. Examining the classified profiles, instead of looking for solutions for the masses, is a more effective way of understanding the different needs. In previous studies, scholars have approached the classification and identification of the issues surrounding homelessness in different ways. One of these ways relates to the effects of the time spent on the street on homeless people and demographics that distinguish people's identities. With the guidance of these classifications, design requirements can be determined. Another issue addressed in this chapter is how the classification of homelessness is accepted on an international scale. An existing and improved version of this classification is provided. Also, the the psychological damages and behavioral differences that come with the homelessness problem are included in this chapter.

Mossman and Perlin's study (1992: 951-957) characterised homeless people under three headings in a classification system according to the time spent outside the home; a) Episodic Homeless: Those who are in this group are those who live below the poverty line and do not have a regular income and who are constantly at risk of becoming homeless. b) Temporary Homelessness: This label is used to identify individuals who are at risk of homelessness over time. It is used to identify individuals with alcohol and drug addiction as well as anxiety, depression symptoms due to problems that arise especially in the family environment.

Individuals with a place to shelter accept themselves as a part of society because they have a home in which they are in contact, while those who do not have a place to shelter do not consider themselves a part of society. We can see the homeless in this category existing on the streets, in parks, under bridges; some lifestyles are recognized by them and are not accepted by other individuals. In the interviews conducted with individuals in the study of Mossman and Perlin (1992) in this category, 8

Chapter 1 - Literature Review individuals try to regain their jobs, homes and social status in society when appropriate conditions are provided.

However, those people are examined in many typologies that do not fall within the scope of a single definition. Some of the intersectionalities that characterise this cohort are:

c) Chronic Homeless People: Those who fit within this category of homelessness are people who live without shelter for a long time.

It is used for individuals who have internalized the street as a way of life and do not try to change their current situation. In individuals with chronic homelessness, behavioural disorders are often seen and they cannot exhibit confidence in others.

- Gender - Race - Duration - Substance abuse - Dependent children

- Age - Places people choose - Identities - Mental illness

Figure 1 Source: Author's own graphic, based upon a classification of the data presented in Mossman and Perlin (1992).

Importance of Definition and Classification

A typology called "European Typology of Homelessness and housing exclusion (ETHOS)" was developed and launched in 2005 to improve better understanding and measurement of homelessness in Europe and to provide a common "language" for transnational changes related to homelessness (feantsa, 2005). This typology, which is used for different purposes such as discussion framework, data collection purposes, policy objectives, monitoring purposes, and media, is important to learn how to address the homelessness policy in Europe and to understand a classification at the level of states policy. However, ETHOS has been considered as a classification that needs to be developed by some scholars, with missing and faulty sides and improved ETHOS has been presented.

The solution to a problem of such complex social dimensions that exists all over the world, and that involves homeless people within different typologies can only be achieved through an accurate and detailed definition and classification.

A definition of homelessness can be properly judged if it allows for accurate and reliable identification and classification of homeless people so that policies can be developed to respond to different manifestations of homelessness and monitor the effectiveness of such interventions (Amore, Baker, and HowdenChapman, 2011).

9

Chapter 1 - Literature Review ETHOS focuses on the living conditions of a 'home'.

This conceptual model was developed by scientists Bill Edgar, Joe Doherty, and Hank Meert. It was first published in the Second Review of Statistics on Homelessness in Europe (Edgar et al., 2003), further refined in the review of the following year, and has not changed since then (as per the most recent European Review of Statistics on Homelessness (Edgar, 2009).

ETHOS Developed by FEANTSA (European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless) and the European Observatory on Homelessness, ETHOS is both a definition and a typology (or classification) of homelessness; that is, it proposes how the homeless population should be identified and divides the population into discrete subgroups.

"The importance of this model is, it is widely accepted and frequently quoted in almost all European countries�

(BuschGeertsema, 2010, p. 21).

Figure 2 ETHOS model for defining living situations as homelessness, housing exclusion, or adequate housing according to physical, legal, and social domains Source: adapted from Edgar, 2009, p. 16 *Circles were put by the author

2 PARTS OF ETHOS APPROACH MODEL

Figure 3 Source: Author's own graphic, based upon a analysis of the data presented in Edgar (2009).

CLASSIFICATION

10

Chapter 1 - Literature Review Figure 4 ETHOS Classification Source: adapted from FEANTSA (2007) *Annotations were put by the author to indicate the points discussed in the study of Amore, Baker, and Howden-Chapman (2011)

Cultural exceptions* (Hospital, prisons)

Should be classified as homelessness*

Improving the ETHOS Classification In their 2011 work, Amore, Baker, and HowdenChapman identified the points they deem necessary to be improved in the ETHOS classification, as this classification has been accepted and proposed by the European Union, thus, has more impact than any other classification. The first identified deficiency is the lack of relation between the concept model and the classification table. Also, they pointed out that the lack of "legal space-physical space" and "physical space-social space" in the concept model (see Figure 2, intersection 3-4) are considered as the exclusion of housing, not homelessness by ETHOS.

Finally, they argue that the status of people residing in the penitentiary and medical institution (see Figure 4), whose prospects for the future are not clear, should be identified as culturally recognised exceptions, and should not fall under the category of homelessness. And people living in mobile homes, non-conventional buildings, temporary structures also should be classified as homeless. Accordingly, Amore, Baker, and Howden-Chapman have offered an improved classification based on their ETHOS study (2011).

11

Chapter 1 - Literature Review People living in places of habitation that are below a minimum adequacy standard (living situations in which residents are excluded from two or more of these three essential domains) irrespective of which two they are excluded from, should be considered homeless, provided they also meet the ‘lack of access to adequate housing’ criterion. (Amore, Baker, and Howden-Chapman, 2011) Figure 5 Model for defining a population as homeless, housing excluded, or adequately housed, according to physical, legal, and social domains, and access to adequate housing Source: adapted from Amore, Baker and Howden-Chapman, 2011, p. 33.

The researchers in this study have stated that they were not trying to identify or classify the population at risk of housing exclusion or homelessness. Regarding this second category, they emphasize that the population at risk of homelessness should be specifically defined, measured and reported, including those that have been left to homelessness from institutions, and possibly other categories, as will be evacuated to homelessness. (Amore, Baker and HowdenChapman, 2011)

Figure 6 Classification of the homeless population by living situation in the New Zealand context (provided the ‘lack of access to adequate housing’ criterion is also met) Source: adapted from Amore, Baker and Howden-Chapman, 2011, p. 34.

12

Chapter 1 - Literature Review

Psychological Status of Homeless People Parsell referred to the work of Osbourne in 2002, saying that the "Homelessness identity is something tangible and even measurable."(Parsell, 2011, p.

445). Osbourne studied the very profound identity dilemma facing homeless people in his study in 2002. He mentioned that, like most people, homeless people who are motivated to maintain a stable and positive self-view, are blocked by the harsh and chaotic circumstances of street life. As part of the study, interviews and surveys were conducted with many homeless people, and researchers have reached two possibilities to maintain a stable identity while dealing with homelessness. The first one is to maintain the docile identity and do whatever it takes to get out of the street, and the other is to incorporate being homeless into one's identity (Osbourne, 2002).

Anti-social behavior. This is defined as “behavior by a person that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons, not of the same household as the person" at Oxford City Council's website under the heading of "How we approach some of the issues arising from rough sleeping". It covers a wide range of unacceptable activities that blights the lives of many people on a daily basis. Often it makes victims feel helpless, helpless, and with a seriously low quality of life (Oxford City Council, 2019).

The problem of homelessness does not only make a person's life difficult about not having a space to live, but it also brings with it many psychological problems. The individual's problems and the rough living conditions can make the situation much more compelling. Being unhealthy psychologically can affect both the person and the people around him/her. Anti-social behavior is one of the issues.

But beyond that, one's psychological problems can prevent the person from managing their daily life. It should be remembered that in most cases, treatment for mental illnesses may be required for psychological problems, and sometimes even these diseases cannot be cured at all. Also, the effects on psychology are directly related to identity.

Going beyond showing homeless identities, contemporary researchers who both define the individual characteristics of different types of a homeless person and explain homelessness have shown how the homelessness experience shapes identity. In fact, even when not initially embraced, homeless identities are taken on as homelessness becomes long-term. Thus, although people have been shown to express agency in their capacity to take on or avoid a homeless identity, this identity is presented as one-dimensional and real (Parsel, 2011).

Figure 7

Historically, the homeless identity was associated with assumed personal inadequacies (Jordan 1965; Linsell 1962). They were defined by their problematic attributes. In the UK and the USA, this was often with a focus on their fecklessness and laziness (Kyle 2005; Pleace 1998) 13

Source: Author's own graphic, according to definition of homeless identity of Parsell (2011), Osbourne (2002).

Chapter 1 - Literature Review

According to this study, when homeless people received charity, their behaviours were observed:

Cameron Parsell's (2011) Homeless Identities article examines homeless people and their identities based on an ethnographic field study with people living in Brisbane, Australia. In a point of departure from much work in this area, homeless identity is not presented as measurable or necessarily meaningful.

Rather, attention is paid to the way in which people's identities are ascribed and how the elements of the self can be enacted.

- Passive meek homeless people were generally appreciated and respectful with little or no expression on their faces. They were not demanding or insisting, they were displaying gratitude, inferiority, docility.

- Some participants of the research group were intoxicated, loud and disturbing.

- Others maintained their physical distance from intoxicated people. And some children exhibited disrespectful and undesirable behavior (Parsell, 2011) .

Figure 8 Source: Author's own graphic based on an analysis of the observation results made in Parsell's Homeless Identity Study (2011). Observations conducted while volunteering at a charitable outreach service.

Impact of Places Previous examples show how behavioral disorders affect not only the person but also those around them. However, people can be influenced not only by the behavior of others but also by the place where they live (see Figure 9). Parr and Philo (1995: 203) showed how people with mental illnesses are not only expected to display certain behaviours in psychiatric institutions, but these institutions are ‘key sites in which people learn to be mad’.

PERFORMATIVE THEORY Identity Enactment

Context of Place

Figure 9 Source: Author's own graphic based on an analysis of the data presented in Parr and Philo (1995).

14

Chapter 1 - Literature Review

Preferences of Homeless People When designing for a solution to the problem of homelessness, it is important to know the preferences of users and what they need most. Addressing these needs first can enable users to respond to the solution and continue to progress to manage other important needs. Many studies have been conducted so far to understand these needs. One of these is Acosta and Toro's "Let's ask the homeless people themselves: a needs assessment based on a probability sample of adults" in 2000.

Figure 11 Source: adopted from Acosta, Toro (2000)

Figure 10 Source: adopted from Acosta, Toro (2000)

Conclusion of Chapter 1 This Literature study can be seen as a preliminary study for the closer recognition of the problem of homelessness, which is a complex, difficult-to-solve, and repetitive social problem. Many reasons trigger the problem, and these reasons can be diverse as they can be sourced from individual reasons affecting the person.

As a method of the study of Acosta and Toro (2000), 301 homeless adults from Buffalo, NY, was followed over 6 months to document the utilization of a variety of community services, examine services desired, and identify factors associated with service utilization, preference, and satisfaction. As seen in the table in Figure 10, the participants in this study mostly used shelter and soup services. We can see that the biggest needs here are nutrition and a place to live. The third most used service is homeless agencies. This indicates that they need advice or support. The table in Figure 11 contains an analysis of important and difficult-to-reach needs.

Physical security was considered to be of the highest importance, then it was surprising that education was taken even further, which seems to be only the fourth concern as affordable housing.

In this study, I learned how people differ from each other, how conditions affect identity and behavior. Apart from this, the conditions to be met to know who is considered homeless and what a person must have not to be considered homeless also determine the profile and design requirements to some extent. Finally, it was revealed in this study that the relationship between space and human and mental disorders it will cause should be taken into consideration at every stage.

15

2 Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedent Studies

Homelessness and Identity According to the studies on homelessness, it is understood that identity is closely related to the problems. Time spent on the street, age, gender, mental health, environmental factors, were found to affect the behavior and preferences of the homeless.

As the duration of living in street increases, the likelihood of behavioral disorders increases, and the streets are seen as the way of life. For those who have been homeless for a short or temporary period, the desire/attempt to change their current situation is more common.

Introduction This chapter reflects the analysis following the literature review. Research and findings up to this point direct the study to Oxfordbased research. The second subject in this chapter is the current status of homelessness in Oxford, authorities, charities, and policies.

Notes from my interviews with the Councillor of Oxford City Council and members of charity organizations to better understand how Oxford addresses this situation can also be seen in this chapter. The problem is in a global dimension, so instead of creating knowledge with only local data, solutions offered to homelessness in different parts of the world are given as case studies and case studies. The positive and negative sides of these examples have been identified by the author referring to the analysis of the previous chapter.

Classification is necessary to know who the homeless group that I will be designing for is.

Accordingly, it can be determined which people are homeless and which people are at risk of becoming homeless. When policies are made according to this classification, they are more likely to be effective.

Likewise, correct classification will also increase the likelihood that designed solution erradicate homelessness will succeed.

The psychology of homeless people needs to be ascertain to determine their preferences. According to the study conducted by Parsell in 2011, it was observed that some of the people involved in the research project expressed an agency in their capacity, and some avoided it. In this study 'Passive meek homeless' concept was used to describe a particular group. The behavior of this group was measured by their response when they received charity.

16

Chapter 2 - Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedendt Studies Acosto and Toro's field study in Buffalo, New York, in 2000 (see Figure 12). In this study, the order in which basic utilities offered to homeless people were used, and which needs were identified as the most important but the most difficult to obtain were identified.

Accordingly, accommodation, physical security, and interaction with agencies and getting education and work were identified as the most important needs.

Whether the homeless person was aggressive or not, the expression on their faces was examined and inferences were made by looking at their responses.

The observation methods in the study of the Parsell was used as the primary method for site analysis observations of this project. This case study provides guidance in understanding what is preferred by homeless people in interviews with organizations in Oxford.

Figure 12 Source: Author's own graphic, based upon a analysis of the data presented in Acosta, Toro (2000).

An Analysis of the Homelessness Problem in Oxford Oxford is one of the cities where the homelessness is a problem, but to understand the extent of homelessness, it is necessary to know how many people are struggling with this problem. Oxford City Council has been observing homeless people at regular intervals. Counts take place at night

and are coordinated with the help of the various organizations that work with people sleeping rough.

These snapshot figures of Oxford City Council are effective gauging the scale of the rough sleeping problem in Oxford and monitoring progress over time.

Figure 13 Source: Author's own graphic, based on the statistics given at Oxfrod City Council, 2019

17

Chapter 2 - Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedendt Studies

Figure 14 Source: Author's own graphic, based on the statistics given at Oxfrod City Council, 2019

According to the counting in September 2019, by Oxford City Council (see Figure 14); the number of men (45) is much greater than the number of women (6). Twenty one people have been staying on streets more than one year, 6 people have been staying more than 6 months, 16 people have been staying less than 6 months and 3 people have just been identified. The majority of these people are UK citizens (24), 12 people are EU citizens, and 15 people are of other nationalities. The proportion with the largest age group is 36-49, and no one under 25 could be identified. According to this information, an appropriate solution for combatting homelessness in Oxford must accommodate a range of people, but with the vast majority being adult men who have been living in the streets for a long time.

Analysis of Oxford continues with the interview study. These interviews examine the problem of homelessness in Oxford in general and aims to create ideas for the design project. Finland Housing Model is mentioned at some points of interviews.

Detailed information about this model can be seen in the case/precedent studies section of chapter 2 (p. 24).

18

Chapter 2 - Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedendt Studies

Interviews and the Findings According to CW 2, Oxford historically has always had quite a high number of homeless people in terms of the kind of national averages and she thinks that, across the country, we are seeing all kinds of homelessness and increasing numbers of rough sleepers now.

As a method of the study at the analysis phase, I did interviews with 3 people to have more ideas about homelessness in Oxford, to learn the movements and policies, and to get information to design the project. These interviewees are proxies who are familiar with homeless people's problems and are in interaction with homeless people, therefore, can be able to recognise their needs. They also know developments and policies to combat the problem.

According to the councillor, the support provided to people who are in danger of homelessness than the homeless people on the streets has yielded a greater number of positive results (about 500 people in the past year). Practices for people who have been living on the street for a while are much less positive.

These interviews were conducted following ethical conditions in the E2 form prepared by Oxford Brookes University Ethics Committee. Members participating in interviews are an Oxford City Councillor, director of a charity organization in Oxford, and a member of a charity organization in London. In the following findings and annotations, the Charity Worker in London is abbreviated to CW 1 and the Charity Worker in Oxford is abbreviated to CW 2. The interview with Councilor lasted 60 minutes, and interviews with charity organizations took about 40 minutes. The interviews were audiorecorded and kept in the author's devices. The interview proceeded through questions prepared separately for councilor and charity workers, and semi-structural questions were asked for relevant details. Interview questions and ethic forms can be found in Appendix A.

The Major Problem All interviewees agreed that the biggest cause of the problem of homelessness in Oxford is the lack of affordable house and the city being too expensive.

CW 1 explained this problem:

“What drives homelessness in Oxford is the lack of affordable housing. Whether it's students or young professionals, housing is expensive because there is a high demand for rental properties in Oxford. This makes it very difficult for low-income people to access to a dwelling.�

Defining Homelessness

According to CW 2, Oxford is the most expensive city outside of London and she continued:

CW 1 described homelessness in two categories, the first of which is the rough sleepers in the most acute end, that we can see visible signs of homelessness.

The other one is people in insecure and less visible situations. This case is defined as hidden homeless, and these people sometimes sleep on the bus, public transport. Sometimes they are sofa surfing, which means moving from house to house on an insecure basis. These houses might belong to their friends or family members. And sometimes they may be staying in a hostel or a tent.

"Definitely being able to be housed in this town is very difficult. So employment is good in Oxford. Most people will be able to find a job.

But if the salary is quite low, finding housing here is really, really difficult"

19

Chapter 2 - Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedendt Studies

CW 1 explained how the opportunities offered decreased over time:

CW 1 explained that if a person does not have a child, therefore, there is no dependence upon the person, the local authority would say that this person is not entitled to a house from the state and would leave to find from the private sector. Even if the name is included in the waiting list, the applicant wouldn't get it since there is no priority need and because there is a small amount of social housing and the demand is high.

"The challenges are around the fact that in Oxford City itself, there were homeless hostels that were closed after underfunding provisions and so forth, or certainly that they offer reduced, which has seen a rise in rough sleeping and it is awful."

In the governmental plan, financial cuts to services have left homeless people with reduced services and this is the gap in Oxford for tackling homelessness CW1 said. CW 2 also said the followings about these financial cuts:

And CW2 explained the same issue with another perspective:

"Typically, homeless services would always work with far more men than women. And there are different reasons for that. I mean, partly under law, there's always a duty to house anyone who's got children and that if a family breaks up, that typically still is the more often the mother who will keep the house and the children will be the father who won't have any duty under homelessness law.

We are seeing an increase in the number of women coming to homeless services, but also the number of women on the street. So I think that's a national picture."

"We know from looking around the world and looking at the experience here in this country that when time, money, expertise was put into tackling homelessness, huge things could be achieved between 1998 and 2002.

That sweeping was cut by two thirds in this country. Other countries today have, who've been reduced because first models have really successfully managed to reduce housing."

1977 Housing Act and Demographics

CW2 said that they think the homelessness problem should be everyone's responsibility as a society. A lot of work has been done in Oxford by the local authority and all the voluntary sector to involve everyone. Now they have Oxford Homeless Movement, and this movement is about the problem won't be solved only by the local authorities or voluntary sector, so businesses, universities, or anyone who wants to support it can involve in this campaign. Also Counillor made similar comments about the movement. CW2 said that the local authority is very supportive. The building they are in was owned by the City Council. They contribute to running what the organization does.

Charity Worker 1 explained how the policy works in fighting against homelessness and who can get support as follows:

"The government’s responsibility is defined in the law and that currently falls short of that expectation. So in terms of the statutory duties around people being entitled to a home, that's defined most recently in the 1977 Housing Act. What it says is that the state has a responsibility for people defined as having a priority need. And for those people there are few exceptions predominantly. Are those people with dependents? Yes. And so, those are people that have children largely.

It may be different, but largely, for anybody outside of that priority needs, there isn't any responsibility for the government to provide housing."

City Council works for the problem very actively, according to councillor City Council spends 30% of its budget on housing investments.

20

Chapter 2 - Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedendt Studies

CW 2 stated that the most common profile they work with is the 35-44 age group and men. According to CW1, the people who need the most help are those who are out of priority needs. Traditionally, men have been more since women generally have dependants. But lately, there have been more women becoming homeless.

CW 2 said that the organization has big campaigns and a big policy team. She said that they offer services that homeless people or anyone at risk of homelessness can come to. This service provides one to one support, practical advice and coaching.

That might be supporting people to get onto the right benefits, helping people with debt, or helping people back into employment.

CW 1 said another group is migrants:

According to CW 2, the other part of ending people's homelessness is to make sure that people aren't isolated and that they feel they have a community.

And they're trying to support people to find new communities once they have their house.

"Migrants are more likely to be homeless as a percentage of the population because of the benefits that are available to them, the statutory help available to them is less. And so, therefore, they are more likely to be homeless as a percentage of that demographic."

CW 2 also explained the contribution of the training carried out by the organization to community and identity awareness as follows:

European citizens, on the other hand, can still take advantage of the law, even if the UK is no longer an EU member. Statutory help is not about whether being born in the UK, but rather about whether having a full status or a non-status.

"If you become homeless, you can very quickly lose your identity and you become a homeless person. That's what people often forget. That happens very quickly. And so I hope that what coming here and going to kind of all classes in the one to one support means. So finding the skills and confidence to go back into work or if you're not able to work and to volunteer or to think about going back into training and education. But a lot of it is about getting people's self-confidence back because of your own sense of worth can be really damaged by being."

Organisations CW 1 defined the mission of the organization that she is a member of as “giving advice and guiding�. They provide access to private rental accommodation for people in need. Apart from that, there is a cafe run by the organization. She explained how this cafe works as follows:

"It creates training opportunities for people using our service. So one of the routes that you can be going to employment in Oxford where there's a lot of employment is in the hospitality trade, and it is useful in terms of giving people the confidence and the skills to access those pieces of work. People can do an accredited training program in the cafe, which enables them to go into what everybody needs to do in that training program. But that's what it's there."

Design The councillor mentioned about the shelter design and the effects of shelters on homelessness. It is observed that especially for those staying in emergency shelters, the main problem is that although these shelters are designed to provide temporary protection for a short period of 3-4 weeks, users get stuck here or they go back to the streets after this point. He said that it was much better to stay in a shelter, no matter what, than to sleep on the street. The council said they are trying to prevent them from returning to the streets, and 21

Chapter 2 - Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedendt Studies

said the important thing is to encourage people to make progress. The councillor said they expect to get much more positive results at Floyds Row, a newly completed shelter at Oxford.

I said that this idea is similar to the Finland Housing First model and asked about her opinions about this model. CW 1 said that the idea of housing is always required to have wraparound servings, and reminded that people have complex needs and that the UK has been helping about 18000 people.

CW 2 said, if you ask homeless people what they want, people would say they need immediately is a roof of their heads. And she said that a typical system called staircase is valid in the UK that will meet people's needs and maybe eventually get a house. But as an organization, they believe that people should have the house as quickly as possible.

"Eighteen thousand of them need housing first and that they do need intensive support that's wrapped around them. And nobody knows how long they need it. If you're looking at fidelity to the models, so true to the model of what works and what is true and what is evidence to Finland is housing lets you get your front door, but also you get the right combination of services around that person for as long as they need it and you gradually pull them away and in some instances you'll never be able to pull them away. If you're looking at fidelity to the models, through to the model of what works and what is true and what is evidence to Finland's housing lets you get your front door, but also you get the right combination of services around that person for as long as they need it and you gradually pull them away and in some instances, you'll never be able to pull them away. As for people in housing first, that's high support for as long as you need."

CW 1 stated that the organization does not offer any accommodation services, so she could not provide enough information with accommodation design and operation, but if she would answer the question of what homeless people expect most, she said it would be safety and dignity.

When the accommodation offered is evaluated in this context, CH1 said that the night shelter or hostels that offer temporary accommodation are not defined as dignified/safe for a long-term solution, so this is only warehousing people.

"Let's say, you're putting lots of people with similar problems in the same environment.

People are not necessarily getting access to the privacy that they need. People are not, I say, be able to access their family to visit them. Well, if you're in a hostel, then your family can't come to visit you because of the rules around that hostel. If you have a drug dependency and being in an environment with lots of other people that are also trying to recover from substance abuse isn't ideal.

If you have a mental health condition, then often being in a crowded environment with people with different complexity and trauma isn't ideal either. So that's what we would say.

What we want is housing-led solutions where people are given their front door as quickly as possible so that they can quickly get the services they need and access to income and then they're stable"

Also, the councillor made positive comments about the Finnish housing model but he emphasized that it may be very dangerous for homeless people, especially those with mental illnesses or addictions, start living on their own at home, moving directly from the street. It caused one staff to die in a similar housing application in Oxford, and this is a memory that everyone keeps in mind.

22

Chapter 2 - Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedendt Studies

Mental Health Issue CW 2 said being homeless is very hard and with any time spent on the streets, people either have or develop physical health, mental health issues, or drug and alcohol issues. She said that anxiety and depression are very common, that most of the people who come have some complex trauma at some point in their lives.

CW2 explained how they support this situation:

The Interview study was very useful both to obtain information and ideas about the general situation and to determine a new direction to the study. What is given in this section was only a part of what is spoken in interviews. This study, which lasted nearly three hours in total, affected the study in many respects. After this study, I learned which profile is most in need, especially in Oxford, and under what conditions the state supports people. There are different approaches to visible and hidden homelessness because their response to support is very different. And different strategies need to be implemented.

We have seen that charities and local authorities work in support of each other and invite the whole society to solve the problem. This may indicate an authority would support the idea when it comes to possible solution design. England uses the traditional staircase model, but all interviewees agree that people should get home as soon as possible. Although the Finland model supports this policy, and the model has been evaluated as positive, they were all considered to be dangerous partly and think that comprehensive support services are required for such a system.

"We have a pathway of supported housing that talks about low needs, medium needs and complex needs. And what providers will always say is that there are more people with complex needs. if you're homeless, every aspect of your life is difficult. You know, physically, emotionally, psychologically, it it's hard. And I think often people who are homeless are very nervous about becoming homeless again. So they want to make sure they can have as many things in place to. We start to treat mental health services. We will try and get them engaged with those teams.

We will support people to move into mental health, housing support, mental health, housing. Where we can and will work with the with mind is the voluntary sector who have services and they provide the apt service here, which is immediate access to psychological therapy. We also work closely with the complex needs service, which works with people with personality disorder."

CW 1 said that sometimes mental illness causes homelessness, sometimes homelessness causes mental illness and as an institution, they have trained their staff on this issue. Additionally, they recently began to invest in clinical psychologists to support members and staff in dealing with that. And if someone has a mental health condition, she said they would work for it with or without the support of the statutory or non-statutory service.

23

Chapter 2 - Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedendt Studies

Case/Presedent Studies

Although the rapid construction of temporary shelters can be seen as s a solution to the problem of homelessness, some countries approach this issue differently and claim that this design triggers the problem rather than a solution. One of these countries is Finland, which is the only country in which the rate of homelessness has decreased in Europe according to The Guardian (Henley, 2019).

"Architecture is at its core, the design, and creation of shelter." (Gandhi, 2018, p. 308).

For anyone who has to live on the streets, a simple safe, and secure place to sleep and keep belongings is critically important. When obstacles put people at risk of constant or recurrent homelessness, outreach and services play an important role in bringing them into housing. For many, the prevention of homeless is an incremental process (Ghandi, 2018).

Traditional Staircase Model

Security and stability are key elements in the reconstruction of a self-supporting life.

Benefiting from social services and having a home is a permanent and effective solution.

However, it may be difficult to find permanent accommodation in cases where the problem of homelessness increases. In these cases, flexible and mobile structures can solve this issue, although not permanently. Solutions can be made by a creative restructuring of the city, taking into account the socioeconomic situation of homeless people.

Figure 15 Source: adapted from thealternative, 2019

As in many countries, the homelessness problem in Finland had long been approached using a staircase model (see Figure 15): As you got your life back on track, you had to go through different stages for a temporary stay, and there was an apartment as the final reward (thealternative, 2019). “It was clear to everyone the old system wasn’t working; we needed radical change,” says Juha Kaakinen (Henley, 2019), the working group’s secretary and first program leader, who now runs the Y-Foundation developing supported and affordable housing. Also, he said, at that time they still had to get rid of the night shelters and short-term hostels they had. These shelters and hostels had a long history in Finland and everyone could see that they didn't get people out of homelessness. They decided to reverse the assumptions. So they followed the new policy and made housing unconditional for homeless people.

(Henley, 2019)

There are case/precedent studies in this part of the study. Finland model, which has a different strategy, will be examined first. This model is important because of its idea contraries to traditional methods and is also a successful model in solving the homelessness problem.

Later, different examples of shelter types made in different parts of the world will be presented. These examples are case studies, which are necessary to evaluate what has been done so far, and precedent studies that have qualifications for being useful for the design project.

24

Chapter 2 - Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedendt Studies

Finland's Housing First Model

State-determined PAAVO programs have led to a significant drop in long-term homelessness, making the housing first approach the default for addressing homelessness. Now there are almost no rough sleepers in Finland (housingfirsteurope, 2020). At the end of 2019, there were 4,600 homeless living alone and 264 homeless families and couples. For the first time, the numbers of young people under 25 years of age and the long-term homeless fell to less than 1,000. (ara, 2020).

Finnish Housing First approach was first introduced in 2007 by "Four Wise Experts" as the solution for the most vulnerable homeless people. Permanent housing through normal rental was seen as a fundamental solution. Individual support services, affordable rental housing supply, and preventive measures were also part of the approach. Hotels have been converted into supported housing units for tenants. Homeless policies have been based on Housing First since 2008. The state's PAAVO programs (2008-2015) targeted long-term homeless people.

One of the most important objectives of this program is constructing and purchasing new affordable housing on the market. The present national policy program, launched by the government in June 2016, aims to prevent homelessness (housingfirsteurope, 2020).

The Housing First Project principle is guided by the notion that having a place to live is both a human right and a basic right. Regardless of which model is used to organise the work, housing is always the top priority. Since 1987, 12,000 people received a home. Apart from being for the benefit of individual homeless people, principles are beneficial to society as a whole. Savings on the services required by one person homeless can be up to 9,600 euros per year. Housing one long-term homeless person saves about 15000 euros of society's funds annually (ysaatio, 2020).

Comparable data on homelessness has been available since 1987 when there were nearly 19000 homeless people in the country. Since then, the number of homelessness has dropped thanks to actions taken.

Figure 16 Source: adapted from ysaatio, 2020

25

Chapter 2 - Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedendt Studies

The Housing First Philosophy:

Who is Homeless?

the model is guided by four principle

"In services adhering to the Housing First principle, a homeless person refers to anyone who does not have their rental or owner-occupied dwelling." In the worst case, a homeless person sleeps rough on the street while some live temporarily with mostly relatives or friends and is a phenomenon called hidden homelessness not seen in even statistics (ysaatio, 2020).

1- Housing enables independent lives The person can go straight to living in a flat rented apartment without temporary arrangements.

While this is the best model for some, it may be a supported housing with support available for others.

According to the housing statistics collected by the Finnish Housing Finance and Development Centre, homelessness is divided into five categories (ysaatio, 2020):

2- Respect of Choice Clients have the opportunity to choose services and treatments, and if they do not want to give up entirely intoxicants, they are not forced to do so. Instead, the aim is to reduce the use of intoxicants and the harm caused by psychiatric symptoms. Respect for the autonomy of the resident enhances their participation.

1- People living rough, on stairs, streets, shelters, etc.

2- People staying in night shelters, accommodation facilities

3- Rehabilitation and empowerment of the resident

3- People living in various institutions 4- Released prisoners without an arranged housing

The staff treat and meet residents equally and build an atmosphere of trust and community.

The purpose of the dialogue and interaction is to find solutions to the client's problems.

Residents receive positive feedback, even with small daily achievements.

5- People who are in insecure accommodation, e.g. temporarily with friends or relatives

Homeless homes in Rukkila, Malminkartano, Helsinki

4- Integration into the community and society The sense of community is a strong guiding value of Housing First work in Finland. Many home units have made the living community a starting point, through individual participation and being part of the community. Residents are supported to stay in contact with their immediate networks, such as family, and receive support to make their dwellings feel like home (ysaatio,2020).

Figure 17 Source: adapted from thealternative, 2020

26

Chapter 2 - Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedendt Studies

How does the Finnish model differ?

Two points that distinguish the Finland Model from other housing programs are: 1) Residents pay their rent themselves.

Like every other Finn, people can apply for housing allowance, and if the person is not capable of paying the rent, there are other financial support services to apply.

Figure 18 Source: adapted from ysaatio, 2020

2) A large multi-professional group is not set beforehand to treat the resident.

Support is offered according to the needs of the resident. Services already available in the society are used. This is only possible with high standard health and society services (ysaatio, 2020).

The Finland Housing First model is a comprehensive and state-funded project.

It is essential to provide affordable housing adequacy and financial support to clients when necessary. However, without such assurances, an individual reproduction of the project may not produce the same results.

Besides, the Finland model has some aspects to be taken as an example: -The model offers two different types of housing, independent and supported living.

And housing can be an owner-occupied apartment or rental apartment.

-Staff provides comprehensive support to empower the home environment, aims to strengthen social ties, accepts the customer authority and residents are not forced to receive treatment as a prerequisite -Employment activities increase the possibility of residents to be employed.

These 3 items are important for design as references from a sample that has received positive results so far and is intended to be a guide for the project.

Figure 19 Source: Author's own graphic, based upon a categorisation of the data presented in ysaatio, 2020

27

Chapter 2 - Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedendt Studies

Case Study Floyds Row Homeless Shelter

Transition by Design, Jessop and Cook Architects

Oxford City Council opened its assessment service and shelter in Floyds Row, which is expected to fully open in April 2020, as one of the new steps the Council take to reduce rough sleeping. Floyds Row is the centerpiece of Council's 'Plans to Transform Services' and aims to help rough sleepers or those at risk of homelessness. In the project, NHS Partners and Oxfordshire's five other councils are working collaboratively and are trying to develop this strategy nationwide. Floyds Row's first occupants were meant to be moved from 'Somewhere Safe to Stay', which allows up to just 7 nights, and 'Winterlong Shelter' at Simon House (Oxford City Council, 2020).

Oxford 2020

Figure 20 Source: adopted from Ffrench, 2020

The council implements Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) when the air temperature drops below zero at night and provides extra beds available for anyone who wants to come in. Floyds Row is one of Oxford's three SWEP venues.

Floyds Row has a bed capacity of 56, but Somewhere Safe to Stay and Winterlong Shelter are expected to provide up to 20 and 16 beds. The transfer is planned for the services currently provided at the multiagency hub in Bonn square to Floyds Row (Oxford City Council, 2020).

Figure 21

Source: Oxford City Council's official twitter account, 2020

28

Chapter 2 - Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedendt Studies

Figure 22 Source: Oxford City Council's official twitter account, 2020

This shelter might be successful because Floyds Row is a place where they can increase the number of guests at night, especially when the temperature drops below zero, but the services offered by the facility are limited to offering accommodation for a short period of time.

It might be useful to adapt this flexible idea to the project. This example is important as it is a project designed to solve the current homelessness situation in Oxford.

Another important point is that Oxford City Council works with 5 other councils and other shelters in Oxford for this project.

Collaboration in this way can be effective for easier monitoring of the situation in the city and faster resolution when needed. In this sense, working collaboratively can be a key solution to tackle the problem of homelessness.

Figure 23 Source: adopted from Ffrench, 2020

29

Chapter 2 - Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedendt Studies

Case Study Parasitic Pods

Framlab

New York 2016 - ongoing

The program of this project aims to combat increased homelessness in New York and address the scarcity and cost of space in the city, taking advantage of the abundance of unused vertical spaces on exteriors of buildings (see Figure 25). Unlike many homeless shelters that offer the common areas, each unit is designed to accommodate one person to protect their privacy and security (Jordahn, 2018).

Figure 24 Source: adopted from Framlab, 2020

Figure 26 Source: images adopted from Jordahn, 2018

The hexagonal modules are designed for easy and inexpensive installation and are slotted in the form of scaffolding glued to the windowless facades around the city. A modular range of equipment (see Figure 26) would allow residents to customise each pod according to their needs (Jordahn, 2018).

Figure 25 Source: adopted from Framlab,2020

This design was used as a case study while the idea of ​​design was a shelter/portable street furniture that could offer a quick solution for rough sleepers in the early stages of the research study. In its current form, it is being examined to see the positive and negative aspects of a module designed for individual use only. It is a project with positive features in terms of evaluating the unused spaces in the city, being customisable, and offering a completely private living space. However, some points might be useful to avoid such as not having common social areas, not being useful for disabled people. Also, closed and very high modules with a large glass on their exterior surfaces may not be suitable for people with mental illnesses.

30

Chapter 2 - Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedendt Studies

Case Study Sleepbox Pods

Mikhail Krymov Alexey Goriainov

Washington Dulles International Airport 2009

Airports are places where there is a crowded and intense movement just like cities. Designing sleeping rooms where privacy is provided in such an environment has a similar purpose as designing a unit that can rest in a private area on the street.

The Sleep Box has 16 reservation napping rooms that can be hired for a minimum of one hour. These rooms offer a place to relax in privacy to travelers (Cogley, 2019).

Figure 29

Source: adopted from Cogley, 2019

Wireless controls such as temperature control, privacy window tint, coloured mood lighting and Bluetooth speakers outfit each unit. Each of the pods has a closable door, with a standard unit measuring four square meters and a compact room being 3.2 square meters. The interior pieces are finished with plywood and have a built-in bed with a flip-down desk (Cogley, 2019).

Figure 27

Figure 28

Source: adopted from Cogley, 2019

This project was also included in the research for the same purpose as the previous case study. Although the project was not designed as a solution to the problem of homelessness, it was created to offer a private space to users and has a similar purpose in this respect.

Quick access by users is one of the positive features of this project. At the same time, sleeping rooms are designed with equipment that will provide the comfort of the user for a short time. However, the important point is that these rooms meet the short-term needs of the users. that is, a place like this can only work temporarily for the needs of a person struggling with homelessness. Apart from this, an indoor settlement may not evoke a natural home feeling.

Source: adopted from Cogley, 2019

31

Chapter 2 - Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedendt Studies

Case Study Wooden Sleeping Pods

Reed Watts

London 2018

Modular sleeping pods made of easy-to-assemble wooden panels provide temporary accommodation for the homeless in London. Ten of the prefabricated pods designed by London-based architecture studio Reed Watts have been placed in the 999 Club night shelter in Deptford. They provide safe and temporary accommodation for people who sleep on the streets.

Tim Fallon, chief executive of the 999 Club, said "They will provide very welcome privacy and a quiet space for people who come to our night shelter at their most vulnerable time," he said (Frearson, 2018).

Figure 30 Source: adopted from reedwatts

Figure 32 Source: adopted from Frearson, 2018

This project has an importance because it is in London and designed to combat the current problem of homelessness in the UK. The project, which consists of 10 individual cabins coming together in an indoor space, has a sleeping and storage area in each cabin. This design offers a place where people with homelessness can go whenever they need due to the easy access it offers. Moreover, since it is easy to install, it has a modular design that will take a short time to build when demanded. However, the privacy of the units is ensured with only a curtain, and the private space surrounded by thin wooden material has an open-top. It can also be difficult to prevent the security risks that may occur in such a project.

An indoor settlement may not evoke a natural home feeling.

Figure 31 Source: adopted from reedwatts

32

Chapter 2 - Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedendt Studies

Precedent Study Larkin Street Youth Services

Sam Davis

San Francisco 1984

The assisted care and after care services has two programs for homeless youth population especially the ones who have HIV-positive. This programs provide a licensed residential facility with 24-hour staff support and housing model, where customers can switch from one to another according to their needs (Larkin Streert Youth, 2012).

Assisted Care is located in the Health Services Building with 24-hours staff and onsite nurse, and 12 single occupancy rooms are designed for people who will need extra attention or medical treatment, as well as for those with mental health issues or substance abuse. Services within the facility include a common lounge area, case management, peer counselling, three meals a day by a full-time chief, group sessions, and an HIV Specialist Clinic (Larkin Streert Youth, 2012).

The architect of the project, Sam Davis, mentioned about the special needs of the project in Q&A with Bonnie Azab Powell in 2002; The design had to provide flexibility in some areas. Since staff wouldn't know how many people would come and require more supervision from night to night, the facility is divided into mini dorms. Sam Davis assesses the facility's impact on young people who have stayed at the facility to date as follows; The improvements in the AIDS treatment and HIV

Figure 34 Source: adopted from Sam Davis Architecture

conditions, the stable living environment provided by the facility have progressed positively than what was expected, none of the more disabling conditions that were anticipated has developed and none of the facility residents have died. As their health condition improves, they find jobs and prefer to move to permanent housing within one year of their admission (Davis, 2004). Young people who live as the last step before they go to their permanent housing, stay in the "gateway" dorm where they have their private bathrooms in the rooms and they can come and go as they please. However, the kitchen is in a common area for everyone to use. It is very important in homeless housing, especially for the young population, creating a home environment where they can socialize (Powell, 2002).

Figure 33 Source: adopted from Sam Davis Architecture

33

Chapter 2 - Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedendt Studies This shelter was designed by targeting one group of people of the homeless population in the city who have special needs. This group, which requires mental and medical support, is the young adults who also need to be a part of a community again. The residents staying in a specialized area in this way makes it easier to communicate with each other and to share the same environment.

Figure 35 Source: adopted from Sam Davis Architecture

34

Chapter 2 - Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedendt Studies In January 2015, the non-profit organization began to consolidate some programs, including the youth drop-in center; Larkin Street Academy, which offers GED (General Education Development) classes, employment skills training, internship opportunities, and an arts program; The health clinic and administrative offices spread to the newly renovated location at Sutter Street. Maria Su, executive director of the city’s Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families (DCYF), said: "Larkin Street is one of the few programs in the city that offers the community a multi-service center, which is extremely important." She stressed out academics, workforce training, arts enrichment, and physical and behavioral health services, that Larkin Street provides (Hopkins, 2015).

Figure 38 An examination room in the new facility's health clinic Source: adopted from Hopkins, 2015

Figure 36 The new art space and computers stocked with Adobe Photoshop and graphics software Source: adopted from Hopkins, 2015

Figure 37 Source: adopted from Construction for Change

Figure 39 Larkin Street's recording studio booth Source: adopted from Hopkins, 2015

This project is exemplary because it aims to help the young profile in the homeless population and is capable of providing medical support. It is important that the facility has helped thousands of young people since 1984 and is still improving its vision. Larkin Street Youth Services has always been praised for the community it has created.

With the latest improvements, the facility has increased its offered services such as art space, a room with computers, a room for music records, and more, which many other facilities do not offer, perhaps not considered an urgent need. The project also offers job training and skill improvement courses and other educational programs to young population and encourages them to regain their lives. Implementing these features in the project can make the design more ideal.

35

Chapter 2 - Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedendt Studies

Precedent Study New Horizon Youth Centre

Morris + Company

London 2019

(London Tube Station Repurposed for the Homeless) This project is a competition-winning conceptual proposal to transform the disused York Road Underground station, addressing London’s hidden homelessness crisis. Morris + Company's design repurposes the abandoned York Road tube station into a hostel and co-working space.

Each resident of the proposal is treated equally with the considered, shared design principles.

Public co-working spaces and a charity shop empower residents by making their home act as an important place and active destination for the local community (Ravenscroft, 2019).

The project titled “Stepping Stones” aims to provide an “inclusive, feasible and holistic site strategy” that can support a managed and balanced society by providing homeless young residents with a supporting steppingstone to appropriate long-term housing solutions (Ravenscroft, 2019).

Figure 40 Source: adopted from Morris and Company, 2019

Figure 41 Source: adopted from Morris and Company, 2019

36

Chapter 2 - Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedendt Studies

Figure 42 Source: adopted from Morris and Company, 2019

37

Chapter 2 - Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedendt Studies This project stands out with two special aspects.

The co-working place, which is open 24 hours on the ground floor, provides positive value to the project in many respects. People also have the opportunity to find a job and have an income with accommodation. Apart from this, the area turns into a popular and active environment with the movement never ends creates natural security for this tube station. It can also provide financial support for the facility. The other aspect is the 3 different living units that it offers to the users.

There are alternatives such as short-stay unit, mid-stay unit, and a co-live unit according to the period of stay of the residents. These alternatives vary from the simplest living space to the most complex one and each offer specialized areas for different needs (Ravenscroft, 2019).

Figure 43 Source: adopted from Morris and Company, 2019

Figure 44 Source: adopted from Morris and Company, 2019

38

Chapter 2 - Analysis of the Homelessness Problem and Case/Precedendt Studies

Figure 45 Source: adopted from Morris and Company, 2019

Figure 46 Source: adopted from Morris and Company, 2019

Conclusion of Chapter 2

This is a competition project looking for a solution to hidden homelessness in London. It is unlikely to see its effects, as it is not applied.

However, considering the current homelessness problems and local design approaches in the UK, it can be a guide for a design proposal to Oxford.

This project is important in two ways. The first is the Public co-working spaces and a charity shop on the floor of the building. This area not only offers job opportunities for residents but also makes the facility an attractive spot for the local community. Another important feature is that the life units offered by the project to the users are 3 different modules according to the time they will stay. These modules, called shortstay units, mid-stay units, and co-live units, are designs that respond from simple needs to more complex needs. In addition, there are common areas that residents can use. It is a precedent stud that will contribute to the project with these features.

This chapter brought a much more detailed perspective on the work after the general information given in chapter 1. Especially the Oxford-based examination of the problem narrowed the issue of homelessness, which is a very broad subject, to an easy focus. A second important point was the evaluation of the Finland Housing First model. The model is a good example since it has brought success and the decisions taken are quite radical.

Although the possibility of a direct application of this model is discussed, it has the features to be taken. Finally, case and precedent studies have been very useful both to see what the world has to offer while dealing with this problem, to understand what it offers in the architectural context, and to understand how it can be achieved to design for the desired purpose.

39

3 Site Analysis

Introduction This chapter covers the analysis of the project site. Also, the study of homelessness requires on-site analysis to understand the way of living homeless people on the streets.

In the analysis study, which is the first stage of research, I decided to use the observation method to determine the lives and behaviors of homeless people on the street. Therefore, the observation site should have been a highly favored spot by homeless people.

Another appropriate site was needed as the development proposal for the design stage.

But this site should not be far from the city, it should be in a popular location and in a place that people can notice. In this way, it is easier to reach more people, and people do not have to be removed from the points they choose in the city.

During these visits, photography was limited as much as possible to avoid disclosing private life and preventing people from feeling uncomfortable. The faces of people were blurred as stated in ethical conditions. For the same ethical issue, I made the observations by taking notes and sketching by keeping the image in memory.

In the city of Oxford, two important streets are often preferred by rough sleepers to sleep and to reside during the day. One of them is Cornmarket Street, which is the most actively used street in the city center and closed to vehicle traffic, and the other street is Cowley Road, which is also very actively used (see Figure 47). There are intense commercial lines on both streets .

Findings from the Site Analysis My site investigations demonstrated that one of the main reasons that these strips were chosen by rough sleepers was the incidental safety they provided due to the higher numbers of people passing these streets when compared to neighbouring streets.

These environments can be considered safer because the streets are well lit even at night, there are people around most of the time and this can prevent the risk of being exposed to violence up to a point, which is one of the biggest problems of homeless people. Choosing crowded spots also creates more opportunities for those who beg, sell things or perform street performances.

These two streets have been selected as the observation site and the project site. Although Cornmarket Street is home to more homeless people, due to the density of development currently on site, I decided that it would be better to site my project elsewhere on Cowley Road. As a result, observations made at Cornmarket were for the purposes of observation of behaviours of homeless people and an analysis of their preferences as discernable from an observer's viewpoint.

40

Chapter 3 - Site Analysis

Figure 47 Oxford City ​​map showing Cornmarket Street and Cowley Road Labels on the map represent the location of the City Council's office and some charity organisations in Oxford (Crises, Oxfordshire Community Foundation, Aspire, Homeless Oxfordshire, MAYDAY Trust, the Porch)

Cornmarket Street Cornmarket is a shorter street than Cowley Road and is the most popular street in the city. Another important point of the street is that it is very close to many charities. This close distance could make working on the area effective by establishing relations with charity organizations in the design of possible accommodation. There are street performers on this street almost every day. This could make that street a worthwhile place for the homeless people to spend their time.

Figure 49 Drawing from the site observation

Figure 48 Site analysis map of Cornmarket Street

41

Chapter 3 - Site Analysis

Observation Findings As it is understood from the observations made and the repeated counts of the points where homeless people are located, some of them do not change the places they stay at, while others use these spots temporarily or change the location on the street occasionally.

Figure 51 Drawing from the site observation

- These people often have their belongings with them.

- One person stays in a single tent.

- Two people own dogs.

Especially when the shops are closed at night, the inward recess of the showcase, underneath of the arch passing to another street, fronts of the shops during the day, the corner of the HSBC Bank which is the most visible point, are some of the points they have chosen.

Figure 50 Drawing from the site observation

Figure 52 Cornmarket Street - walking people and a homeless person sitting on the ground

Figure 53 Cornmarket Street

42

Chapter 3 - Site Analysis

Cowley Road and Manzil Way Gardens Manzil Way Gardens on Cowley Road is the site for the project. Since there is no appropriate area on Cornmarket Street and its surroundings for project development, this site should be on Cowley Road.

Cowley Road is also a location with dense buildings but also there are parks on this road. Manzil Way Gardens on this road is close to the city center, it is surrounded by health centers that offer mental and medical services, is suitable for project development.

Cowley Road is also used by homeless people to sit or sleep in front of the several shops including supermarkets, such as Tesco and the Co-operative, where the products for basic needs can be bought. In addition, the charity named Porch Day Care Centre is located close to this road.

Figure 55 Manzil Way Gardens and the playground

Figure 54 Manzil Way Gardens and Cowley Road

Figure 56 Manzil Way Gardens

Figure 57 Manzil Way Gardens Source: adopted from Google Maps, 2020

43

Chapter 3 - Site Analysis

Figure 58 Map Drawing of Cowley Road and Manzil Way Gardens

East Oxford Mosque is located in the north of the Mental Health Centre. The whole of the Manzil Way site was formerly home to the imposing Cowley Road Workhouse. The Asian Cultural Centre occupies the only building left from the demolition of the former hospital/ workhouse.

Cowley Road has a multicultural structure in general. The area, where people from many different nationalities live, also offers many special opportunities such as the ability of individuals to live their own culture and even perform their belief activities in places of worship. There are also shops, groceries, and restaurants of different nationalities in the region. This situation may make homeless people from different nationalities not feel alien in such a multicultural environment. It can be said that Cowley Road and its surroundings host many different cultures. In the later stages of the site analysis, demographics of the population residing in this region such as religion and nationality are also given.

A vehicle road connected to Cowley Road passes through the park and divides the park in two. There are diagonal pedestrian walkways on both sides of the park. There is a playground on the east side of the park and it needs to be replaced after project development. The next chapters give details about it.

44

Chapter 3 - Site Analysis

Figure 59 Walking path and the playground (on the right)

Figure 60 "Manzil Way Road" passing throuh the park

Figure 61 East Oxford Health Centre

Figure 62 Car entrance of East Oxford Health Centre (connected to the Manzil Way Road)

Figure 63 Manzil Way Road passing through the park

Figure 64 View of the mental health centre and the mosque

45

Chapter 3 - Site Analysis

Ethnicity and Religion of the Local Community The profile of people living in this area is shown on the Figure 65 as students and young professionals. It can be thought that residents in here usually live for a certain period of time, rather than living for many years.

Figure 65 Consumer Vulnerability Source: CDRC, 2020

Figure 66 Religion - No religion Source: Data Shine, 2020

The people of the region mostly do not have a religion (see Figure 66).

Most believers in religion are Christians (see Figure 67), the second majority is Muslims (see Figure 68).

Figure 67 Religion - Christian Source: Data Shine, 2020

Figure 68 Religion - Muslim Source: Data Shine, 2020

The majority of residents of the region are European-born (see Figure 69). Approximately 60% of the total number is British (see Figure 70). Whites other than the UK nationals people constitute the second majority and on average are between 10-20% in the region (see Figure 71). One of the ethnic origins other than whites, Pakistani residents, from the Asian, Asian British group, is about %10 of the total population in the region (see Figure 72) and is the third majority.

Figure 69 Country of birth Source: Data Shine, 2020

Figure 70 Ethnic Group - UK Nationals Source: Data Shine, 2020

Figure 71 Ethnic Group - Other White Source: Data Shine, 2020

46

Figure 72 Ethnic group - Pakistani Source: Data Shine, 2020

Chapter 3 - Site Analysis

Health Services Manzil Way is home to the NHS and third sector healthcare organizations. To the north of the area is the health centre and pharmacy on one side and the mental health centre on the other. There is also a pharmacy on the opposite side of the park on Cowley Road. That is, the area is a few minutes' walks from many health institutions. Access to hospitals of the Figure 73 shows that the area gives the 2nd degree

Figure 73 Health Services Domain Source: CDRC, 2020

best access. Also, between the Mental Health Centre and park, there is an Oxfordshire-based mental health charity named Restore (see Figure 78), which supports people to take control of their recovery, improve their skills and lead meaningful lives. The organization offers recovery groups, training, and employment coaching to make this possible.

Figure 74 Access to Pharmacies Source: CDRC, 2020

Figure 75 ReThink Mental Illnesses Services provided

Restore Restore is an Oxfordshire-based mental health charity that supports people to take control of their recovery, improve their skills and lead meaningful lives. To make this possible, Restore offers rescue groups, training and employment coaching. Restore also has a garden cafe, providing people with mental health problems with an opportunity to learn catering and customer service skills, find out their strengths and gain work experience (Restore, 2020).

Figure 76 ReThink Mental Illnesses Older Adults CMHT & Mind Service

Figure 78 Source: Restore, 2020

Figure 77 Eats Oxford Health Centre - Enterance

47

Chapter 3 - Site Analysis

Figure 79 Source: Author's own drawing on the image adopted from Google Earth, 2020

Medical Centres

Health Services: In the north of the project site, there are health centers where treatment is given for many mental and physical illnesses.

East Oxford Health Center, ReThink Mental Illnesses, St Bartholomews Medical Center are these health centers. Restore, which is a charity organization that supports mental health, is also in the north of the project.

Figure 80 Model of the Project site Green Area

Green Area: Manzil Way Gardens offers a wide green area to the city at this point. Regardless of where the project is located, it was essential to protect this green area as much as possible.

Figure 81 Model of the Project site Pedestrian

Vehicle - Pedestrian Paths

Vehicle

Cowley Road is actively used almost every hour of the day. Manzil Way, which passes through the middle of the site, is less congested. The park currently has two wide walkways and sidewalks for pedestrians around the park.

Figure 81 Model of the Project site

48

Chapter 3 - Site Analysis

Figure 82 Map drawing showing the boundaries of the project site

Borders of the Project Site Manzil Way Gardens consists of two sides and has been selected as the Project area. The borders of the park areas in the area painted in red tones in Figure 82. Decisions made about where the design should be placed at the park and stages for this purpose are given in the design decisions in Chapter 5.

After this stage, there are sun and wind analysis.

The borders of the project area are also shown in the 3D diagrams illustrating these analyses.

49

Chapter 3 - Site Analysis

Climate Analysis

Figure 83 Author's own diagram showing the sun movement Source of sun path: Marsh, 2020

Sun The movement of the sun on the field is shown in the diagram. The area receives sunlight at varying angles from the south throughout the year. The sun reaches its highest position on the longest day, on June 21, at an angle of 61.63 degrees. On the 21st of December, when the shortest day occurs, it comes at an angle of a maximum of 12.17 degrees during the day. Manzil Way Gardens creates a large space at a point where the city and buildings are dense. The surrounding buildings are also not high enough to block the sunlight, allowing the park to take the sun as much as possible during the daylight hours of the day (Marsh, 2020).

Day lengths for Oxford city are shown on Figure 28. The sunset time is 20.28 on 29 June at the latest. The sunset is at the earliest time, on 12 December at 15.54. The longest time of daylight during the year is 16 hours 41 minutes on 21 June and the shortest period is 7 hours 47 minutes on 21 December (Marsh, 2020). It is important to get maximum sunlight in the design, especially considering that the length of the day is as short as 7 hours in the UK during the winter.

50

Figure 84 Source: Marsh, 2020

Chapter 3 - Site Analysis

Air Quality Although the region is rich in the green area (there is also South Park in the north), air quality ranks 7th according to the CDRC Map at Figure 85. In some other parts of the city, this ranking is 6th, but the air quality is generally similar in different regions of the city.

It rises to the 4th rank in rural areas outside the city of Oxford. It can be said that the quality of air is not very Figure 85 Air Quaility Domain - Oxford bad compared to the air in the city Source: CDRC, 2020 center of London (see Figure 86) and it is normal for the city, although it is not as good as a rural area.

Figure 86 Air Quality Domain London Source: CDRC, 2020

Wind

Figure 87 Source: windfinder, 2020

Figure 87 shows the dominant wind direction and wind speed by month in Oxford city. The dominant wind direction, which can vary by months, is generally from the west, however, winds from the north in April, and from west to southwest may be dominant from time to time.

The diagram at Figure 88 shows how the wind reaches the area. Although the buildings in the area can cut the wind to a certain point, Manzil Way Gardens can turn into an area where the wind and therefore cold weather in the winter can be felt more due to the empty space it creates in the region.

Figure 88 Source: Author's own diagram based upon the data given at windfinder, 2020

51

4 Design Approach

First Phase of the Design Approach Introduction

The observed problem before starting the research phase of the project was that homeless people in Oxford city spend the night on the street without protection and don't have a place to go, with no space to put their belongings. This situation caused a deficiency in issues such as physical protection, privacy, belonging and ownership. Therefore, the project was aimed at designing a portable shelter in the form of street furniture that could offer a quick practical solution. The advantage of this design is that it is easy and can be installed anywhere. In this way, shelters, which will be installed in spots selected by homeless people, would be able to provide support to users in a shorter time and it will be possible to use them without the need for procedures and waiting.

This study consists of two design phases. At the beginning of the study, the aim was to offer a quick and practical solution to people who had to spend the night on the street.

Research and analysis led the initial ideas for a draft design. I continued to progress on the research and analysis, so new case studies were added. All work was done after the first design phase and gave the project another direction. It was necessary to design a permanent and effective solution or system, not a fast and practical solution.

After this point, the second phase of the design began. All observations, including site visits, new literature reviews, interviews contributed to the design at this stage.

Therefore, the second phase has been produced as opposed to the first phase and has been developed with the contribution of the ideas in the first phase.

As a result of the research, the identity differences of homeless people were studied. As it turns out, many identities that would diversify vital needs were defined and also the homelessness model accepted in Europe and the improved version of this model were presented. This helped to define the homeless people's profile as far as possible with the desktop study. Some design decisions made as a result of these differences are explored in the following paragraphs.

52

Chapter 4 - Design Approach Like in some dormitory-style shelters, making interactions by forcing different identities to live in the same area can lead to negative consequences in some situations such as different gender and age, mental and medical health status, possible behavioural disorders, exposure to abuse or violence, having addictions. Therefore, sleeping units should be designed separately from each other. However, social areas can be considered as common. This area may be used as a stepping stone to becoming a part of society again. In the first concept model, living units were placed in the outer circle in a way that responds to the need to 'watch the street' with a thought that would not force homeless people to quit their old habits at once. And the area in the inner core was centred as the common socialization area (see Figure 89, 90, 91).

Figure 89 Drawing of the idea of the concept model 1

Figure 90 Concept Model 1

Figure 92 Concept Model 2

Figure 91 Concept Model 1

Figure 93 Concept Model 2

Another design decision was to make the place open or closed. Although it is clear that living on the street is generally not the decision of homeless people, the length of time spent on the street affects habits and lifestyle. As can be seen from the City Council's snapshot figures, some homeless people

preferred to return to the street even after they had a house. In this case, the design was intended to have a transformable structure. The moving exterior transforms the space into a part of the street and also into an area with borders with the street (see Figure 92, 93).

53

Chapter 4 - Design Approach

Figure 94 Author's own diagram

Findings revealed in the research and analysis stages of the study show that the majority of people who experience homelessness also struggle with mental disorders. These ailments can affect people because of the place they are in, as Parr and Philo described in their 1995 work as "performative theory".

The diagram in Figure 94 is a mind map that shows what consequences it may have, what discomforts it may trigger, or what feelings it may cause, as a result of incomplete or incorrect application of architectural design parameters, when designing for people with homeless experience or any mental illness.

Second Phase of the Design Approach

Instead, it is ensured that homeless people become homeowners without forcing them to quit their habits, and at the same time, job opportunities are provided within the Y-Foundation after vocational training. In this way, residents pay affordable house fees.

In the next stages of the research process, it was understood that only a shelter unit would not reduce the homelessness problem, it would even worsen the problem. Finland is the advocate of this idea and is the only European country where the homelessness rate has declined over the years.

Y-Foundation, a state-based organization, with its Housing First project, promotes that night shelters should not be implemented. This model is opposed to the staircase model, which is the traditional way of being a homeowner for homeless people.

This model was discussed with interviewees as given in the interview studio in Chapter 2. No matter how successful the model is in Finland, there is a lot of services required to implement it, and such a comprehensive support program can only be determined by the policy of the state. Moreover, the effects of the model on mental health and the incident in Oxford have been a matter of concern.

54

Chapter 4 - Design Approach Step 1 (Emergency Shelter): For the rough sleepers on the street, potential medical or mental health problems reveal the need for staying in emergency shelters. This unit includes individual sleeping units, common social areas (kitchen and eating area, activity rooms, courtyard) to provide awareness of socialization and being a part of the society and a medical unit that will provide support for health problems or enable intervention in emergencies.

In addition, the councillor said in interviews that support for people at risk of homelessness has a much higher rate of positive results. He stated that the probability of getting positive results decreases as the time spent on the street increases and that people get stuck here at the emergency shelter or return to the streets again. What he saw important was that it is necessary to encourage these people to progress.

Step 2 (Transitional Shelter): It is the unit where the emergency shelter residents who have completed the recovery process and can take their life responsibilities will switch. This unit can also be used by homeless people who can live on their own without the need for emergency shelter and people at risk of homelessness. This part of the institute provides individual living units, common areas, and areas where people can receive training to acquire a profession. In this way, users will be encouraged to find jobs inside or outside of the facility in later stages.

Other interviewees believe that people should have a place to live as soon as possible. And they said this can be possible if the amount of affordable houses gets increased to meet the demand. Services are also a need to be provided in these areas, given that most homeless people struggle with mental health.

Based on these results, it is aimed to design a complex for the transition process where people can change their lives gradually instead of having a big change, but at the same time, it can convince them to make a progress, can have positive results. The project is about the functionalization of the staircase model in a single facility.

Step 3 (Transitional Housing): After the Transitional shelter stage, residents with a certain amount of income are encouraged to move to stage 3 after completing the stage of acquiring a profession. This unit is also offered to people who are at risk of homelessness but who have a profession and can work. In this unit, people stay in individual affordable houses.

The aim is to complete the 3-step program for those who settle in emergency shelters and encourage them to have their own home. Users can complete the 3-step program by providing access to the units they need, or those who are unable to complete should be able to continue to stay. Also, residents must be able to start this program at the stage that suits them according to their needs. These 3 steps are provided with units that function as emergency shelters, transitional shelters, and transitional housing.

There are some basic requirements in the system that includes these 3 stages. For example, there is a possibility that the people who go to the next stage may not heal completely from health problems. And the system aims to create a commune that will support each other, not a group of people who live at different stages separately and might have a class difference.

Therefore, all units of the facility should be accessible for residents staying in all stages.

55

Chapter 4 - Design Approach

Different identities of users may require some special cases. For example, it may be an inconvenience for transgender people to use men's or women's washrooms. This also applies to people who have been subjected to violence or for those who do not choose to share common areas for any reason. As a solution to this problem, a certain number of special rooms should be designed for the emergency shelter unit. Since the people staying in the facility may have various disability conditions, the whole facility should be accessible design.

Conclusion of Capter 4 This two-stage study, which actually has many steps under these stages, has helped me make it more researchbased. The decisions in the first stage showed that the design approach was not correct for the result tried to be achieved and that a more detailed and system-based design should be present.

The interviews and research done in the second stage have a great influence on the development of these ideas. It is the main objective to create a system that encourages a gradual change and progress based on this informations.

Another design criterion is that this environment should create a sense of home environment for the users rather than an institute. When it is received the feeling of home, which is the biggest deficiency of homeless people, it is expected to switch to the other stages more healthily and to get more positive results. Throughout the study, different identities of homeless people were emphasized.

Another issue about identity is the danger of identity loss after a difficult process. As a result of not living in a home, struggles such as survival are at the forefront rather than giving importance to issues such as work, education, role in the society, family, plans, etc. where the person can create his or her own identity. Therefore, the project should not only be a way of being a home owner but also encourage people to get their identities again.

The collage works included in this chapter are on the next pages before chapter 5.

This idea is formalistically the main theme of the architectural project. The main elements in the design phase will be the project's distinction among other buildings in the location, how it will affect the place, the feeling that the form will create on users and residents using the same area, on a city and building basis.

56

Chapter 4 - Design Approach

Figure 95 Collage 1

Collage Study A home consists of elements in an area as well as the enclosed space surrounded by walls providing protection and privacy. These elements (such as furniture, colours, light, and texture) in the house, which are tools for us to fulfill the requirements of our habits, are designed suitable to ergonomics and have the power to change the aura of the interior, affect the functions or human psychology.

Therefore, 'Home' can't be considered without either the outer shell that separates from the street

or the elements that create a living environment inside. People who sleep on the streets, besides their basic housing needs, are also devoid of these elements, which are necessary for them to perform their daily activities ergonomically. It is pointed out in the collage that performing daily basic activities in a street environment would never create a home feeling. Furthermore, the design aims to offer a home, not an institution. That is why the selection of these elements is important.

57

Chapter 4 - Design Approach

Figure 96 Collage 2

Collage Study the society arises. Regaining the identity can only be possible by establishing an environment in which it can attain its identity, but accessing healthy living conditions before it.

The identity of individuals living in the community depends on the factors that make up it. Short and long-term plans, goals, education, profession, relationships, friendships, family, groups that are part of, ideas, ideologies, create and protect or change the individual's role and therefore, the identity. Homeless people or those who are at risk of homelessness face the risk of losing their social roles and individual identities, as well as the lack of a suitable living environment, and the situation of turning into a 'nobody' and not being noticed by

The effect of design on identity is also questioned.

It is argued that the design made for people at risk of identity loss should be noticed by creating an eye-catching image among other buildings of the city or the style of the city should be preserved.

58

5 Design Decisions

The contribution of shelters to the solution of this problem in the fight against homelessness is controversial. In some places, it is considered as the first method applied, and according to some typologies, it should not be used. However, if it is known what reasons that cause shelters to be insufficient for a solution, more positive results can be obtained with a more accurate design.

Introduction All parts of the study so far contributed to the design. In Chapter 1, I focused on definition and classification. We saw that there are different identities and therefore different needs, and one of the ways of not being considered as homeless is having social, physical, and legal domains. In Chapter 2, I did a general analysis of homelessness and an Oxford-based study.

I also presented case precedent studies that could guide the design. These studies form the basis for a shelter facility. Chapter 3 includes site analysis, that is, research into the physical and cultural situation of the site. Chapter 4 focuses on general problems, needs, and factors affecting design.

The case/precedent studies in Chapter 2 show the positive aspects and the negative aspects that can lead to negative consequences, which I have found useful to use. However, these studies are not a solution to all design problems. Therefore, it is necessary to take advantage of design standards.

Architecturally 'Spatial Program Needs' have been identified by taking into account of BC Housing's Shelter Design Guidelines September 2017, which is created for nonprofit societies or development teams who want to upgrade existing shelters or design new shelters.

In this chapter, I bring all of these elements together to form the brief for the project and narrate the major design decisions that have been taken to determine the outcome of the project. This chapter contains solutions to problems and all stages of the design process.

The design process is about reaching the most accurate result with the improvements and after decision changes. Therefore, I explained what decisions were made, how, and what they turned into. This chapter contains the details of the architectural design and how to use the project site efficiently. In addition to the research given up to this point to determine the program needs, I also used other sources that guide the architectural design.

Founded in 1967, BC Housing is a provincial Crown agency under the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing that develops manages and administers a wide range of subsidized housing options across the province. It is located in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada (Wikipedia, 2020).

There are also standards developed for the UK, but when evaluated with this model, there is no guide with such application-based and comprehensive details that I could find. It is not entirely inappropriate to use this model as the given that climates are relatively similar.

59

Chapter 5 - Design Decisions Program of the design according to Shelter Design Guidelines / BC Housing

into other housing forms builds capacity and options for flow and creates opportunities for building a community with other users and staff.

This guideline is a reference in terms of general topics and design requirements. The design approach consisting of 5 stages shows how the development project should be completed from start to finish.

Based on these stages and the design requirements of the standards, I adapted this guideline to the project I designed for Oxford.

3- Design Objectives The objectives listed below are keys when considering a building’s functional quality, longterm operational efficiency, and outcomes related to user satisfaction.

-Meeting Program Needs -Durability, Operational Needs and Operating Cost -Efficiency in Design and Area Layout -Design for Accessibility -Safety and Security for Clients, Staff and Community -Flexibility for Short-Long Term Use -Neighbourhood Integration -Warm, Welcoming Spaces -Designing for Minimal Barrier Shelters

1- Understanding Current and Future Needs Needs analysis based on user profile takes place according to the profile of the homeless in the city. According to the count made in November 2019, the number of people sleeping on the street was determined to be 43. The project provides accommodation for roughly half of this number, considering the re-establishing of this facility in another place if it meets the need. Users can accommodate without any gender or age categorization. Beside permanent employees, people who work in this facility may also be externally involved, such as educators or health workers. The financial resources that will ensure the continuity of the facility are provided by affordable housing and income from the workplaces in the facility, besides this, the support of the government and organizations, and donations are additional funds.

4- Program Area Design Features Program area spaces, which depend on design principles and objectives, also vary according to the level of support services to the users and the size of the project. The units that take part in this project are listed in detail. A more detailed functional analysis of these units is in chapter 6.

-Reception/Entry: It must be large enough to accommodate the flow of people and prevent crowding. This area should offer seating units. The reception office should be at a safe point with good staff sightlines to the street, the entrance, circulation, gathering and program spaces, and elevators.

2- Design Principles The known majority of the rough sleeper population in Oxford are middle-aged men. Since the number is not sufficient to focus only on people belonging to an identity group, the facility offers intensive care, considering that special needs may occur while hosting all identities. Some units are designed to accommodate one person, while others are designed to accommodate couples, single mothers or fathers with children, or families. And some units are designed for special groups such as LGBTQ2S members or people who are exposed to violence who prefer to stay alone. All units are designed accessible considering the possibility of mobility impairments or seniors with health conditions.

Safety is important to users, employees, and visitors. Therefore, access to the facility and its specialized unit should be controlled. The client mix and common space usage are presented in various variations. Besides, strategy to incorporate shelters

-Gathering Place/Day Activity Room: This room allows clients to remain in the shelter during the day. Sometimes it can be co-located with the dining area, but the seats cannot be less than 50% of the building's bed capacity. This area may include TV or recreational games. Furniture should be comfortable, durable and easily maintained.

-Health and Medical Support: A ground floor space for visiting medical professionals should be a minimum of 14 m², and be equipped with an examination bed, lockable cabinet, small desk, washbasin, countertop, and paper towel dispenser.

-Counselling and Support Service: Counselling room/ caseworker offices and administrative support 60

Chapter 5 - Design Decisions 5- Shelter Sleeping Accommodation There are mainly 3 types of rooms in the shelter. The rooms in the emergency shelter unit are grouped as a women's and men's dormitory. The rooms are individual, but the bathrooms and kitchen are shared.

Minimum recommended floor area for single-bed rooms is minimum 3.9m x 4.0 m, with disabled access with or without washroom. A locker and a small side table should be provided for each bed. The rooms in the transitional shelter unit are ensuite and have a seating area, while the units in the transitional housing have all the functions in the house.

spaces are included in this program. It should be isolated from sound and glazed doors should be provided to improve security. Administer support space should be a minimum of 10.5 m² and secure and have adequate space for desk, lockers, cabinets, staff seating area files and office equipment.

-Food Services/Commercial Kitchen: This kitchen, which varies depending on the size of the project, requires a receiving/loading area and serves one full hot meal for a day per resident. Kitchens should ideally be located on the ground floor. Other kitchen areas where the residents can cook their meals should also be in the facility. These kitchens should have a dining area sufficient for the number of residents.

Flexible Temporary Bed Spaces: In extreme weather conditions, shelter should consider the provision of an overflow area for sleeping mats with storage for these mats. A multi-purpose room may offer opportunities for this type of temporary space.

-Hygiene: The design of washroom/bathroom facilities should consider safety, inclusion, and flow of users. It must be located separately for users and staff. Facilities can be designed as multistall common washrooms, gender-neutral individual washrooms or a combination of both, but the area that transgender individuals will use must be separate.

Shelters should typically provide two laundry rooms – a commercial laundry to wash bed linens, towels and donated clothing items for shelter provider, and a smaller laundry for shelter users’ personal use.

6- Outdoor Spaces The outdoor shelter provides opportunities for many important functions and avoids affecting public sidewalks. Inner courtyards or areas scanned by the building or wall/fencing should be considered.

Outdoor spaces can include smoking area, storage, amenity space, parking space for staff and visitors.

7- Finishes and Materials Material selection and finishes reflect user type, durability, ease of maintenance and local availability.

Material choices reduce the likelihood of vandalism and abuse. The areas where material selection is important are flooring, doors, glazing, windows, hardware, drywall and paint and furniture. The project is intended to create a home feeling rather than an institute, so the materials used have a significant effect.

-Indoor Storage: Types of shelter storage should mainly consist of the client storage, staff storage, and clothing storage-distribution. Those who have been chronically homeless for a long time or who are 'coming indoors' for the first time in a long time may have many belongings. Adequate and safe storage should also offer space for carts buggies bikes. A separate pet kennel is not usually recommended due to the risk of spreading infections among pets, and because of limited operational services.

Consultation with local authorities is required for having any outside storage areas for pets (BC Housing, pg. 22).

*Shops/Stores: This title is not included in the design guide prepared by BC Housing. Similar to the job opportunities that the Finland housing model offers to its users, and, like the London Tube Station example of precedent study, a co-working space that residents will have the opportunity to work also contributes to the financial support of the facility would need. But the priority is that residents who receive job training also get work experience. These shops/stores can be rented for commercial purposes, or perhaps there may be businesses as a part of the facility (cafe, second-hand store, book store, etc.).

-Multi-Purpose Room: This area can be used for meetings, training classroom, social services programs, activities/art space, or temporary bed space in extreme weather.

-Computer Area/Library: It is for users to access computers, study and reading spaces.

61

Chapter 5 - Design Decisions

Figure 97 Physical site model shows the part of Cowley Road that has connection with Manzil Way Gardens, and the buildings around the park.

Massing Studies on the Site

the immediate vicinity is the Health Centre, which stands at 13 meters. The Mosque, which is further north, is more than 20 meters high with its dome but is far from the project area. So the maximum height reference is the height of the hospital building.

The park consists of two parts divided by the vehicle road. Cancellation of the vehicle road is not possible and the road also gives pedestrians access to the hospitals on the north side of the park. Apart from that, when looking at the site from Cowley Road, the location of the playground on the righthand part can be considered to change as a result of the park's redesign. The tallest building in

In the 5 alternatives, different arrangements of the 3 main units of the project, Emergency Shelter, Transitional Shelter, and Transitional Housing Units, can be seen. These models also show the replaced playground and the walking path.

Of the two parts, the right-hand part (as seen from Cowley Road) is a better alternative to place the project. This is because it prevents the potential blocking of views to the Health Centre.

Figure 98 Massing Model

62

Chapter 5 - Design Decisions

The building, which will be located on the right part, would be at a much more noticeable angle from the city centre.

Making the building easily recognizable is an important decision of the design.

Figure 99 Massing Model

Depending on the mass size of the project, some alternatives show massing options in which the road falls between the project buildings, in case the right-hand part is not large enough.

Figure 100 Massing Model

It is undesirable to disrupt the integrity of the project and cause security problems. It is the main purpose for all residents to build a community together in the designed accommodation facility and it has been understood that having the automobile road between buildings will cause negativities.

Figure 101 Massing Model

This study made it possible to decide that the residential area should not extend to the left side unless it is necessary, and the left side should be left for the new playground. Some alternatives have a courtyard and should also be in the final design.

Figure 102 Massing Model

63

Chapter 5 - Design Decisions

Figure 103 Concept Model

Conceptual Design The program of the project encourages residents in a transition process consisting of 3 stages. Apart from offering better places for living units, residents are expected to develop job skills and earn income in the process.

The concept model also expresses this increase.

The high tower structure, which makes the building noticeable even from a far, gets its power from the horizontal units that surround it. The whole system works as an enveloping organism.

It is aimed that the individuals staying in the facility will build a community and contribute positively to the social structure. This is the process of increasing living standards extensively.

The roof shell protects the connections of this rise with the base units and is also a cover that gives a sense of protection.

Figure 104 Concept Model

Figure 105 Concept Model

64

Figure 106 Concept Model

Chapter 5 - Design Decisions

First Planning of the Building These drawings represent the first attempt at resolving the programme in a building on the site, and understanding the effective use of the site, the main functions of the building and their relationship with each other.

Figure 107 Model Section

65

Chapter 5 - Design Decisions

Figure 108 Mass Combination Diagram

66

Chapter 5 - Design Decisions

Mass Combination In the mass combination diagram, the entrance, which will meet people coming from both directions, is placed at the corner of the park cut by the vehicle road.

The buildings on Cowley Road generally have commercial places on the ground floors and residential areas on the upper floors. To ensure the continuity of this view, the edge of Cowley Road is the most suitable location for the stores in the project.

Conclusion of Chapter 5 This work helped me to make decisions on the project site which it was shown detailed in chapter 3. In chapter 4 I explained the design idea I had for the improved staircase model, which only consisted of 3 steps. This idea was much more developed especially with the design guide. Knowing which services should be offered in the project was also effective in planning, placing masses, and creating the narrative.

Stairs and elevators (vertical circulation) that physically express the rise are in a transparent tower structure, visible from the entrance and the inner courtyard.

The tower unit includes common areas of the facility, such as training rooms. External emergency shelters are in a more hidden, private area in the north.

Other accommodation units are on the upper floors. The reason for this is that opening the windows of the bedrooms to the inner courtyard that will be used by everyone, can cause a lack of privacy or various discomforts for residents. For this reason, the units on the ground floor should be designed as common usage areas.

67

6 Final Design Introduction This chapter contains the final architectural product designed as a result of research and applied methods. The conceptual functions of the spaces created in line with the needs program given in the previous chapter are presented with the visuals in this chapter. The architectural details of the building, the relations of the spaces with each other, how the users can use these spaces, as well as the details that can affect the lives of the users and the awareness of the creating a community within the scope of the project are shown.

Description (Davis, 2004)

It is organised in a dorm style. Shelters also have on-site social services and case management programs. The rooms have access to a shared bathroom, kitchen, and the activity room. Occupancy time varies, but usually weeks or months.

External Emergency Shelters (3)

Emergency Shelter (4+6)

Street

Individual Emegency Shelters (2)

Profile (Davis, 2004)

Single adults, seniors, young adults those without the ability to pay for housing. Many have physical and menthal health problems.

These units are intended to be for people in need moslty such as rough sleepers.

The graphic on the right describes 3 phases, defines the user profile and gives the description of the stages.

Visuals

Figure 109 Emergency Shelter Unit

68

Chapter 6 - Final Design

Figure 110 Transitional Shelter Unit

Figure 112 Transitional Housing Unit

Programs emphasize social services, the development of life skills and job training.

Residents attend programs on-site to help them become independent. The full period is usually six months, but it can be extended up to a year or two.

These residences can be as single rooms or small studios. Social services are included, but it does not always have to be on-site.

The duration of occupancy varies but can be up to 1 or 2 years.

Transitional Shelter (7)

Transitional Housing (4)

Single adults, families (most often with a single parent), seniors, young adults those without the ability to pay for housing. Many have physical and menthal health problems. These units can be for the residents as their second stage and people who are at the risk of homelessness.

Single adults, families (mostly single-parent), seniors, young adults those who have the ability to pay for housing, usually through disability payments or other rental benefits.

Many have physical and menthal health problems. These units can be the residents' 3. stage after being employed or for people who are at the risk of homelessness.

Figure 111 Transitional Shelter Unit

Figure 113 Transitional Housing Unit

69

Home

Chapter 6 - Final Design

Figure 114 Ground Floor Plan

Figure 115 View of the Entrance

70

Chapter 6 - Final Design

Figure 116 Second Floor Plan The Main Courtyard This area has access from all units and has seating units along with the green area. Users can reach the commercial kitchen, laundry and barbecue area from here. The stage also provides an opportunity for homeless artists currently performing on the streets to perform their art to their community.

Events can be organised in this area.

Figure 117 View of the Main Courtyard

71

Chapter 6 - Final Design

Figure 118

Entrance: It is the only area where entrance to the facility is made both in order to be easy to consult and to provide security. Customers and employees reach the reception desk through this door (Figure 118).

Figure 121 Second Floor Plan

Figure 119

Counseling room / Caseworker Offices - Administer support space: These offices are used to advise residents and for staff meetings, and is where all documents are stored in the archive (Figure 119).

Figure 122 Third Floor Plan

Figure 120

Medical Service It is the area where a paramedic works, containing adequate equipment for first aid treatments. The psychological counsellor, who will be present on certain days to check the condition of the patients, uses this room to make meetings and to provide guidance for further steps at medical centres (Figure 120).

72

Chapter 6 - Final Design

Figure 123 South View

Figure 129

Director's Room The room of the person in the position that manages the administrative affairs at the facility is used for private meetings with the residents or other relevant persons (Figure 129).

Figure 124 North View

Figure 125 East View

Figure 126 West View Figure 130

Figure 127 Section 1

24hr Support Service Knowing that users can be sensitive, including at night, is the point reached when they have any needs. This area is directly accessible from the main entrance, courtyard and all other accommodation units (Figure 130).

Figure 131

Figure 128 View from Cowley Road

73

Soup Service This service area, which is connected to the commercial kitchen, is an extra source of income, offering free soup to homeless people who do not stay at the facility and selling soups to other customers (Figure 131).

Chapter 6 - Final Design

Figure 132 Section 2

Classroom This class, where vocational training is usually given, aims skill development. Different courses are applied at certain times of the week according to the different fields of interest (Figure 133).

Figure 133

Study Room This room with desks to study also provides computer access (Figure 134).

Figure 134

Silent Room / Library The room, which is used as a reading room, also provides a quiet space, especially for seniors who might need (Figure 135).

Figure 135

74

Chapter 6 - Final Design

Exercise Room This room is for basic sports activities. The flexible room, which will be temporarily opened to the use of unregistered homeless in difficult weather conditions, is a sleeping room where several people can stay at night. There is storage to put sleeping mats (Figure 136).

Figure 136

Art Studio One of the ways to share something or get away from stress is to produce something and it is an area where residents might have a reason to stay in the day time, rather than return to the street (Figure 137).

Figure 137

Activity Room Located in the emergency shelter, this room is multifunctional for various activities. Can be a chat room where meetings are made and problems are shared (Figure 138).

Figure 138 Barbeque Area An option for residents to gather and socialize on Sunday afternoons.

Figure 139

75

Chapter 6 - Final Design

Commercial Kitchen This unit, which provides a hot meal once a day, is for all residents and staff. This kitchen can also be used for special celebrations such as residents' birthdays (Figure 140, 141)

Figure 140

Figure 141

Communal Kitchens The area where the residents can cook their own meals, rest, watch TV and chat (Figure 142).

Figure 142

Communal Kitchens The area where the residents can cook their own meals, rest, watch TV and chat (Figure 143).

Figure 143

Laundry It is one of the two laundry facilities at the property. One laundry is used by the staff to clean materials such as bed linen. The other is for the needs of users staying at the facility (Figure 144).

Figure 144

76

Chapter 6 - Final Design

Roof Garden 1

Figure 145

Accessed from the common area on the 1st floor, the terrace has a playground and seating units. It is a garden designed for the residents to spend their time, considering that the parents with their children will also stay in the facility (Figure 145).

Roof Garden 2

Figure 146

The terrace, which is reached from the second floor of the common area, is a place for breaks especially for the activities in the educational units on this floor. This terrace is the only terrace that allows smoking (Figure 146).

77

Chapter 6 - Final Design

Roof Garden 3

Figure 147

It is one of two terraces accessed from the 3rd floor of the common area. Spending time together and watching things will strengthen community awareness as it will increase shared moments. This can be achieved by movie nights, which can be arranged on certain days of the week on this terrace, usually in warm weather (Figure 147).

Roof Garden 4

Figure 148

It is the other terrace reached from the 3rd floor of the common area. The Green area has been used more in this terrace than other terraces. It offers the opportunity to sunbathe, rest and to watch the city due to its location (Figure 148).

78

Chapter 6 - Final Design

Materials Used

Grass Brick - Wall Steel - Window/Door Frame Marble - Floor and Stairs

Glass

Timber - Wall Concrete painted wall

Stone - Outdoor Ground Covering Figure 149

79

7 Conclusion

"What are the reasons that make the homelessness problem so complicated and difficult to solve? Is there an ideal solution existing in the world, in the UK, or in Oxford?"

Introduction

All findings in Chapter 1 of the study were about the differences between individuals and their various needs arising from these differences. In addition, the interaction of individuals with the surrounding people and space affects people physically and psychologically. In Mossman's and Perlin's study (1992), we saw that as the time on the street increases, people are more affected and less struggle to get out of their situation. Supporting this, the councillor said that rough sleepers, the last stage of homelessness, are less likely to respond positively to the supports. In the study of Parsell (2011) about how people with different identities affect each other, we have seen that passive meek homeless people and those who are intoxicated have negative effects for each other while sharing the same area. As one of the Interviewees said, sometimes homelessness brings mental illnesses, sometimes mental illnesses bring homelessness.

This has a similar meaning to the performative theory of Parr and Philo (1995). People interact with the ones around them and the place where they are in. They affect and get affected. Therefore, one of the reasons that make it difficult to solve the problem of homelessness is the fact that the solution policies are for masses, although each individual has a different identity and therefore different support.

Just like the traditional staircase model, individuals are expected to quit their habits and move from one accommodation to another, if any. Such a solution is an ineffective method, especially for people who have been sleeping on the street for a long time.

This chapter includes how the research has been concluded and gives a summary analysis of the general features of the topics covered in the previous chapters and whether the final design proves the thesis.

The answers to the research questions after the studies conducted shaped the design.

The two questions of the research and the reasons and answers to these questions are given.

Main idea of the study is it is very important to know the user and know the needs before starting a design. It requires a more sensitive approach, especially for people who experience homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness. There may be access to many basic needs, especially not having a place to stay. Although the needs are shaped differently for different identities, the length of time spent on the street and mental-medical diseases are the main issues to resolve. The efforts made for people who spend a long time on the street to gain their lives again become harder, even more problematic, some people return to the streets. Therefore, support should be provided as early as possible.

80

Chapter 7 - Conclusion As stated by the councillor, especially the people staying in the emergency shelter, they get stuck at this stage or return to the street.

are portable shelters in public areas on the streets or those with a more intensive program. While the shelter solution offered against homelessness is applied in most countries, Finland has argued that this increases the problem rather than being a solution. Housing First project offers unconditional homeownership and job opportunities. However, it may require a transition period if people who have experienced homelessness have had a traumatic period, considering that the 3 people I interviewed were concerned about the impact of this condition on mental health. They may need to live in a place where they will be supported for some time and can be part of a small community before they have a home. The design should not only offer accommodation as a night shelter, nor should they be expected to settle in a home directly and gain their lives all of a sudden.

There is the fact that any kind of support may be needed. The idea of providing job opportunities for residents, implemented in the Housing First Project and the King's Cross Tube Station Project, was also implemented in the project. Most people face the problem of homelessness because they cannot find this opportunity. The development of job skills is important for a new beginning.

The second important factor besides the individuals' differences is what kind of support the system offers. The main source of the problem worldwide is expensive cities, high living costs, and lack of affordable houses. Oxford is no different in this regard. The policies set by the law, and as a result of the fact that most people are not included in the category to receive aid. Funding has been reduced by 2 in 3, and former accommodation facilities have been closed. These make it more difficult to fight against homelessness in this city. Local authority and charity organizations work collaboratively and invite the entire community to combat this problem.

Finland housing first model, which is the only European country where the homelessness problem has decreased, in the search for an ideal solution, was discussed as a proposal. This model is a method Finland has been using for more than 10 years and the state has applied as the immediate policy. The country's health and support services are also at a level to meet demand. Apart from this, the residents of this model who own their homes by paying rent are also provided with financial assistance when they need it. For this system to be comprehensive and successful to be copied, the same services and supports must be offered, which, according to the charity worker, UK, which is using traditional staircase model, is already trying to support more than 18,000 people. This model may be ideal for Finland but it does not mean it will be ideal for Oxford. The unfortunate incident experienced in the implementation of a similar model in Oxford and the concern that this model will lead to negativity in mental health issue, push the model away from being ideal, but adopting the successful practices of this can have a positive effect.

As the study of Acosta and Toro (2000) shows, homeless people find the most important needs such as physical safety, further education, affordable housing, medical treatment, job training. The most used services are the areas where urgent needs are met such as shelter, soup kitchen, and homeless agencies. The project offers many services that will respond to daily needs as well as assists longterm developments and also provides assurance to residents. The loss of people's identities is also a problem that needs to be dealt with. Loss of sense of belonging, losing a job and social environment trigger this. But it is known that every person has different interests and abilities. So the project should not only respond to urgent needs but also enable people to do their favourite activities. The project, which includes supporting elements especially in the field of art, has been designed as a tool both for the self-development of the person and for having an identity in the social environment and being a defined individual in the society.

"What should the architectural product be designed to reduce the problem of homelessness in Oxford offer its users, considering the samples made so far?"

There were many design attempts for homelessness solutions. These are sometimes night shelters that offer accommodation for a limited time, and some 81

Biblioagraphy Acosta, O. and Toro, P. A. (2000) 'Let's Ask the Homeless People Themselves: A Needs Assessment Based on a Probability Sample of Adults', American Journal of Community Psychology, 28(3), pp. 343-366.

Amore, K., Baker, M. and Howden-Chapman, P. (2011) 'The ETHOS Definition and Classification of Homelessness: An Analysis', European Journal of Homelessness, 5.

Busch-Geertsema, V. (2010) 'Defining and Measuring Homelessness', Homelessness Research in Europe.

Parsell, C. (2011) "Homeless identities: enacted and ascribe", The British journal of sociology, 62(3), pp.

442-61.

Drake, R. E., Osher, F. C. and Wallach, M. A. (1991) 'Homelessness and dual diagnosis', American Psychologist, 46(11), pp. 1149-1158.

Edgar, B. (2009) "2009 European Review of Statistics on Homelessness" (Brussels: FEANTSA).

Edgar, W., Doherty, J. and Meert, H. (2003) "Second Review of Statistics on Homelessness in Europe" (Brussels: FEANTSA). feantsa, 2005, ETHOS - European Typology on Homelessness and Housing Exclusion, feantsa, accessed 2020, <https://www.feantsa.org/en/toolkit/2005/04/01/ethos-typology-on-homelessness-and-housingexclusion?bcParent=27> FEANTSA, 2007, Quality and Standards in Homelessness Services and Housing for Marginal Groups, European Journal of Homelessness, 1.

Jordan, Alan Kenneth, (1965) ‘Homeless Men and the Community’, The Australian Journal of Social Issues, 2: 27–33.

Kyle,K. (2005) "Contextualising Homelessness: Critical Theory, Homelessness, and Federal Policy Addressing the Homeless", New York: Routledge.

Lawler, P. A. (2007) Homeless and at home in America. South Bend, Ind.: St. Augustine's Press.

Linsell, N. (1962) ‘ “Detached” – A Study of Homeless Men in the City of Melbourne’, The Australian Journal of Social Work, 15: 8–11.

Mossman, D. and Perlin, M. L. (1992) 'Psychiatry and the homeless mentally ill: a reply to Dr. Lamb', The American journal of psychiatry, 149(7), pp. 951-957.

Osborne, R. E. (2002) ''I May be Homeless, But I'm Not Helpless": The Costs and Benefits of Identifying with Homelessness', Self and Identity, 1(1), pp. 43-52.

Oxford City Council, Anti-social behaviour, Oxford City Council, accessed 2019, <https://www.oxford. gov.uk/info/20019/homelessness/1281/how_we_approach_some_of_the_issues_arising_from_rough_ sleeping/3> 82

Bibliography Oxford City Council, 2019, Council releases September rough sleeper street count information, Oxford City Council, accessed 2019, <https://www.oxford.gov.uk/news/article/1222/council_releases_september_ rough_sleeper_street_count_information> Parr,H. and Philo,C. (1995) ‘Mapping“Mad” Identities’ in S. Pile and N. Thrift (eds) Mapping the Subject: Geographies of Cultural Transformation', London: Routledge.

Peter Augustine Lawler, (August 15, 2007), 'Homeless and at Home in America: Evidence for the Dignity of the Human Soul in Our Time and Place', St. Augustines Press; 1 edition Pleace, N. (1998) ‘Single Homelessness and Social Exclusion: The Unique and the Extreme’, Social Policy and Administration, 32: 46–59.

Case/Precedent Studies ara, 2020, Homelessness in Finland 2019, ara The Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland, accessed 2020, <https://www.ara.fi/en-US/Materials/Homelessness_reports/Homelessness_in_ Finland_2019(55546)> Cogley, B., 2019, Sleepbox pods installed at Dulles International Airport, Dezeen, accessed 2019, <dezeen. com/2019/07/23/sleepbox-pods-dulles-international-airport-arch-group/> Construction for Change, Larkin Street Youth Services Center, Construction for Change, accessed 2020, <https://www.constructionforchange.org/larkin-street> Davis, S. (2004) Designing for the Homeless: Architecture That Works. University of California Press.

Ffearson, A., 2018, Wooden sleeping pods by Reed Watts made available to homeless people in London, Dezeen, accessed 2019, <https://www.dezeen.com/2018/12/18/commonweal-modular-sleeping-podshomeless-housing-reed-watts/> Ffrench, A., 2020, Rough sleepers move in at £1.9m Floyds Row homeless shelter, Oxford Mail, accessed 2020, <https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/18152136.rough-sleepers-move-1-9m-floyds-row-homelessshelter/> framlab, 2020, Shelter with Dignity, FRAMLAB, accessed 2020, <https://www.framlab.com/homed> Henley, J., 2019, 'It’s a miracle': Helsinki's radical solution to homelessness, the Guardian, accessed 2019, <https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/jun/03/its-a-miracle-helsinkis-radical-solution-to homelessness> Hopkins, B., 2015, Larkin Street Youth Services Celebrates New Tenderloin Facility, hoodline, accessed 2020, <https://hoodline.com/2015/04/larkin-street-youth-services-celebrates-new-tenderloin-facility> housingfirsteurope, 2020, Finland, Overview, Housing First Europe Hub, accessed 2020, <https:/ housingfirsteurope.eu/countries/finland/>

83

Bibliography Gandhi, M., 2018, Designing Affordable, Portable, and Flexible Shelter for the Homeless and the Refugees, CAAD EDUCATION Concepts & Strategies, Volume 1 Jordahn, S., 2018, Parasitic pods attached to buildings could house New York's homeless, Dezeen, accessed 2019, <https://www.dezeen.com/2018/01/26/video-framlab-new-york-homeless-housing-movie/> Larkin Streert Youth, 2012, HIV Services: Assisted Care, Larkin Streert Youth Services, accessed 2020, <https://larkinstreetyouth.org/wp-content/uploads/2012.AssistedCare-TA-Sheet.pdf> Morris and Company, 2019, Hidden Homeless King's Cross, Morris adn Company, accessed 2020, <https:// morrisand.company/work/hidden-homeless> Oxford City Council, 2020, Transforming homelessness services: Floyds Row opens, Oxford City Council, accessed 2020, <https://www.oxford.gov.uk/news/article/1292/transforming_homelessness_services_ floyds_row_opens> Oxford City Council official twitter account, 2020, accessed 2020, <https://twitter.com/oxfordcity/ status/1217401777919811584> Powell, B. A., 2020, Housing for the homeless: Q&A with Sam Davis, Berkeley professor and affordablehousing architect, UC Berkeley Campus News, accessed 2020, <https://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/ releases/2002/10/25_architecture.html> Ravenscroft, T., 2019, Morris + Company designs housing for London's homeless in old tube station, Dezeen, accessed 2020, <https://www.dezeen.com/2019/01/02/morris-company-housing-londonshomeless-new-horizon-youth-centre/> reedwatts, Commonweal Pods, Reed Watts, accessed 2020, <https://www.reedwatts.com/commonwealpods/> Sam Davis Architecture, Aftercare and Assisted Care Facilty Larkin Street Youth Services, accessed 2020, <http://www.sdavisarchitecture.com/AssistedCareBig.html> thealternative, 2019, Why is Finland the only European country where homelessness is falling? They immediately provide homes, no strings attached, THE ALTERNATIVE UK, accessed 2020,<https://www. thealternative.org.uk/dailyalternative/helsinki-homeless-falling?rq=finland%20housing%20first> ysaatio, 2020, Housing First in Finland, Y-SAATIO, accessed 2020, <https://ysaatio.fi/en/housing-first finland>

Site Analysis CDRC, 2020, Access to Pharmacies, accessed 2020, <https://maps.cdrc.ac.uk/#/indicators/ahah2_pharm/ default/BTTTFFT/14/-1.2395/51.7488/> CDRC, 2020, Air Quality, Oxford, accessed 2020, <https://maps.cdrc.ac.uk/#/indicators/ahah2_airquality/ default/BTTTFFT/14/-1.2357/51.7477/>

84

Bibliography CDRC, 2020, Air Quality, London, accessed 2020, <https://maps.cdrc.ac.uk/#/indicators/ahah2_airquality/ default/BTTTFFT/14/-0.0997/51.5118/> CDRC, 2020, Consumer Vulnerability, accessed 2020, <https://maps.cdrc.ac.uk/#/geodemographics/ vulnerability/default/BTTTFFT/14/-1.2305/51.7467/> CDRC, Health Services Domain, accessed 2020, <https://maps.cdrc.ac.uk/#/indicators/ahah2_health/ default/BTTTFFT/14/-1.2395/51.7488/> Data Shine, 2020, Other White, accessed 2020, <https://datashine.org.uk/#table=QS201EW&col=QS201EW 0005&ramp=YlOrRd&layers=BTTT&zoom=14&lon=-1.2420&lat=51.7446> Data Shine, 2020, Pakistani, accessed 2020, <https://datashine.org.uk/#table=QS201EW&col=QS201EW00 11&ramp=YlOrRd&layers=BTTT&zoom=14&lon=-1.2420&lat=51.7446> Data Shine, 2020, Religion, Christian, accessed 2020, <https://datashine.org.uk/#table=QS208EW&col=QS2 08EW0002&ramp=RdYlGn&layers=BTTT&zoom=14&lon=-1.2420&lat=51.7446> Data Shine, 2020, Religion, Muslim, accessed 2020, <https://datashine.org.uk/#table=QS208EW&col=QS20 8EW0006&ramp=YlOrRd&layers=BTTT&zoom=14&lon=-1.2420&lat=51.7446> Data Shine, 2020, Country of Birth, accessed 2020, <https://datashine.org.uk/#table=QS203EW&col=QS20 3EW0002&ramp=YlOrRd&layers=BTTT&zoom=14&lon=-1.2420&lat=51.7446> Data Shine, 2020, Religion, No reeligion, accessed 2020, <https://datashine.org.uk/#table=QS208EW&col= QS208EW0009&ramp=RdYlGn&layers=BTTT&zoom=14&lon=-1.2420&lat=51.7446> Data Shine, 2020, UK Nationals, accessed 2020, <https://datashine.org.uk/#table=QS201EW&col=QS201E W0002&ramp=YlOrRd&layers=BTTT&zoom=14&lon=-1.2420&lat=51.7446> Google Earth, 2020, accessed 2020, <https://earth.google.com/web/@51.74697266,1.2326483,66.70765357a,187.11073159d,35y,-2.10711867h,69.10848205t,0r> Marsh, A., 2020, accessed 2020, <http://andrewmarsh.com/apps/staging/sunpath3d.html> Restore, 2020, The Garde Cafe, Restore, accessed 2020, <https://www.restore.org.uk/restore/the-gardencafe> windfinder, 2020 accessed 2020, <https://www.windfinder.com/forecast/oxford>

Design Guides BC Housing, (2017), Shelter Design Guidelines.

Davis, S. (2004) "Designing for the Homeless: Architecture That Works". University of California Press.

85

Appendix Appendix A

Ethics - E1 Form for the Site Observation 86

Appendix

Ethics - E1 Form for the Site Observation 87

Appendix

Ethics - E1 Form for Interviews and Behavioural Observation 88

Appendix

Ethics - E1 Form for Interviews and Behavioural Observation 89

Appendix

Ethics - E1 Form for Interviews and Behavioural Observation 90

Appendix

Ethics - E2 Form for Interviews and Behavioural Observation 91

Appendix

Ethics - E2 Form for Interviews and Behavioural Observation 92

Appendix

Ethics - E2 Form for Interviews and Behavioural Observation 93

Appendix

Ethics - E2 Form for Interviews and Behavioural Observation 94

Appendix

Ethics - E2 Form for Interviews and Behavioural Observation 95

Appendix

Ethics - E3 Form - Approval of E2 request 96

Appendix

Interview Questions for employees/volunteers of Charity Organisations 97

Appendix

Interview Questions for employees/councillor from Oxford City Council 98

Appendix

Interview Questions for employees/councillor from Oxford City Council 99

Appendix

Recruiting Participants - email samples 100

Appendix

Recruiting Participants - email samples 101