Le site de l'Observatoire du Samusocial de Paris

voeuxobs2012

The Observatory of the Paris Samusocial’s mission is to identify and analyze the issues faced by people in social vulnerability. Its research on populations, modes of care, and public action are facilitated by access to fieldwork and data from the activities of the Paris Samusocial. However, it is not restricted to the limits of the institution.

Indeed, studies aim to contribute to the overall development of knowledge about homelessness, but also to improve the care of people, and to the adaptation and evaluation of public policies to fight against exclusion.

The Observatory must find the funds necessary for its functioning and the implementation of its research program. Its funding in 2009 was based on the allocation of staff from other institutions, on the one hand, and on grants from government agencies and private sector, on the other hand.

Last articles

"Evaluer des demandes, ou la justesse comme travail invisible. Le cas du 115 de Paris", Le Méner E., Ethnographiques.org, 23, 2011 http://www.ethnographiques.org/2011/LeMener

"Writing in the Social Sciences: From Field Notes to Scientific Reports", Bidet A., Le Méner E., in Ouedraogo J-B., 2011, Readings in Methodology. African Perspectives, CODESRIA, Dakar, 2011, p. 249-272. Lien : http://codesria.org/IMG/pdf/13-Bidet_Readings_in_Methodology-2.pdf

"La santé mentale et les addictions chez les personnes sans logement : phantasmes et réalités", Laporte A., Le Méner E., Chauvin P.,Soins à domicile, 22, 11, pp. 30-32

" "On n’est pas là pour sauver le monde !". La maraude d’urgence sociale à la lumière du refus d’hébergement", Gardella E. et Le Méner E. in Berger Mathieu, Cefaï Daniel, Gayet Carole (dir.), Du civil au politique. Ethnographies du vivre ensemble, Bruxelles, P.I.E., 2011, p. 77-99.

"La prise en charge par le 115 de Paris : de l’homme seul à la famille avec enfants" Le Méner E., Soins à domicile, 22, 2011, p. 24-26.

News

What do minors served by the Paris emergency social services (phone 115) become after 18?

Contact : E. Guyavarch

Users of Paris emergency social services are called either as “isolated individuals” or “with their family” when accompanied by at least one minor child. What about minors from such families when they come of age? Are they still accommodated with their parents or dealt by services as isolated users? Does it depend on gender? Are they likely to repeat parental patterns of access to welfare services?

The study of homeless families

Contact : E. Guyavarch E. Lemener

Survey in process

The number of families (defined as at least one adult with at least one minor child) receiving care from the homeless aid system is growing. The duration of care is increasing. The limited available data suggests considerable social difficulties, and a worrying state of health, both physical and psychological. The situation of children – the majority of whom are not considered children at risk despite unsafe living conditions – seems particularly alarming.

Personal hygiene and dermatosis

Contact : A. Arnaud

Survey in process.

Dermatologic disease is the most common health problem found in the homeless, due to living condition and sometimes alcoholism, drug abuse and/or psychiatric troubles. So skin diseases could often have many overlapped beginnings.

The study will describe the difficulties of homeless people to take care of their personal hygiene, estimate the prevalence of parasitic dermatoses (scabies, lice), the seroprevalence of Bartonella quintana and the prevalence of foot-related problems like fungal and bacterial infections.

Contact : A. Laporte

samenta The Samenta study was performed on behalf of Paris institutions, to estimate psychiatric disorders and addictions among homeless people in Paris region. The study methodology set up in partnership with INSERM, is based on a 2 stages random sample of users of homeless services in the Paris area.

The questionnaire comprises a mental health and addictions section and various other sections aiming to describe social paths and life conditions. Persons were interviewed by a lay interviewer in the presence of a psychologist. A psychiatrist was called upon in case of clinical signs suggesting a possible psychiatric disorder.