Infrastructures of housing with care in later life: A qualitative evaluation study of service-integrated housing for older people in Barcelona

Introduction Demographic change intersects with increasingly mercantilized housing systems, while a broader care crisis challenges existing welfare arrangements. In Barcelona, service-integrated housing for older people (SIHFOP) was developed as an alternative model combining self-contained apartments with integrated services and shared common spaces, aiming to enhance wellbeing and autonomy in later life. Objective To examine the effects of the SIHFOP program on residents' quality of life, autonomy and social connections, as well as the mechanisms through which it addresses contemporary ageing challenges. Methods A qualitative, phenomenological study was conducted between 2020 and 2021. Fieldwork included eight focus groups with 37 SIHFOP residents. Transcripts were examined using thematic analysis. Results Six thematic areas were identified: (1) quality of life and autonomy; (2) social connections and loneliness; (3) residential conditions and spatial adequacy; (4) activities and supportive services; (5) housing trajectories and access; and (6) satisfaction, participation and governance. SIHFOP enhances autonomy and wellbeing by providing adapted housing, safety and opportunities for sociability while preserving privacy. These benefits are shaped by broader housing conditions and vary across urban contexts. Meanwhile, tensions emerged between support and regulation, as institutional norms and conditionality intersect with residents' everyday lives. Conclusions The SIHFOP model demonstrates in practice the potential of infrastructures of care for older people, offering a viable alternative to traditional residential care while highlighting the conditions under which this potential is realized. Advancing deinstitutionalization requires expanding autonomy beyond functionality and adopting a life-course perspective.