Unlicensed Boarding House Managers’ Experiences and Perceptions of Need in Residents with Mental Health and Substance Use Problems

Unlicensed boarding houses provide low cost accommodation for many people who have mental health and/or alcohol or other drug
problems. The present study explored the needs and experiences of owners and managers of unlicensed boarding houses who have
residents with MH and AOD problems. Twenty-three boarding house managers (BHMs) from Illawarra and Sydney areas participated
in semi-structured interviews which were recorded and transcribed. Content analysis revealed most BHMs had very limited understanding
of different types of mental health and substance use disorders. Almost all reported problems with individuals who they believed
had such problems. Several BHMs found themselves in the role of “accidental counsellors”, but their responsiveness to residents
needs was highly variable. BHMs’ inconsistent reactions to rule violations may create high levels of uncertainty amongst residents.
The discussion describes options for addressing residents’ needs including educational strategies for BHMs and facilitating
links with support agencies.