Housing and Support Program (HASP): Final Evaluation Report

5.7 Depth of friendships
We explored ‘depth’ of friendships by asking HASP clients additional questions around key areas, such as support
from friends if they were sick or feeling lonely (see table below). Note that clients were asked not to include
support workers and mental health staff when considering the statements.
While 86% of the HASP clients claimed to have between one to fi ve friends, 39% of the sample felt confi dent that
they would be able to fi nd someone to ‘put them up’ if they needed somewhere to stay for a few days. However,
45% felt that they would have trouble fi nding someone to drive them to hospital if they were ill. Indeed, over
one-fi fth of clients indicated that they did not have ‘one person they could trust’.
Table 5.1 Depth of friendships
Statement Completely
True %
If I needed a place to stay for a few days,
I could easily fi nd someone to put me up.
If I was sick and needed someone to drive
me to a doctor/hospital, I would have
trouble fi nding someone.
If I had to go into hospital for a couple of
weeks, I could fi nd someone to look after
my house (water plants, feed pet).
When I need help to deal with a personal
problem, I know someone I can turn to.
When I feel lonely, there is someone I can
call or talk to.
There is at least one person in my life that
I can trust.
Somewhat
True %
Somewhat
False %
Completely
False %
38.7% 24.0% 10.7% 26.7%
44.6% 12.2% 12.2% 31.1%
37.2% 18.4% 8.2% 36.2%
44.0% 28.0% 5.3% 22.7%
60.8% 18.9% 4.1% 16.2%
61.6% 16.4% 6.8% 15.1%
The fi ndings indicate that over one-third of those who completed the survey had poor support from family and
friends. For example, 36% outlined that if they needed a place to stay for a few days, they would not be able
to fi nd someone to put them up.
Housing and Support Program (HASP)
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