The purpose of this thesis was to describe how social rehabilitation of substance users with special needs can be supported in housing. In this thesis, the definition by the Finnish Social Welfare Act of a person with special needs is used. Therefore, the need for special support is not specified to any diagnoses but rather focuses on individuals needs and their ability to function. In the theoretical basis of this research, I define the concepts that are relevant to this study such as everyday life, agency, social rehabilitation, substance abuse and supported housing. The aim of this study was to provide information about the ways in which the social rehabilitation of substance using adults with special needs in housing environment can be supported.

This thesis is a qualitative study, and as the research method, descriptive literature review was used. The research material consists of four studies from which three were carried out in Finland and one internationally in Finland and Sweden. The material was gathered from various databases that were Finna, Elektra, Ebsco, Google Scholar and Elsevier Science Direct, and academic journals witch where Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, Janus, Sosiaalilääketieteellinen aikakausilehti, Kuntoutus, Social inclusion and International Journal of Care and Caring. The research material was analysed using a data-driven content analysis. As the results of this study, I found that supporting the housing of substance using adults who need special support consists of strengthening their independency. This can be done by strengthening their agency in their everyday life.