Hearing their voices: Youths’ experiences of unstable housing and homelessness post-care

Abstract

Youths who age out of care face adverse health outcomes and high rates of homelessness. This study used content analysis to explore: “What are the post-care housing experiences of youth who have transitioned from care through an independent support program?” Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 youths who had aged out of care. Six service providers who worked with youth in care in various capacities were also interviewed. Data analysis revealed themes including: the experience of unstable housing and homelessness, lack of formal supports, and youth leaving care then wishing they could return. Another theme to emerge, I take responsibility for where I am now, adds new information to the literature. The research findings support that child welfare services should place greater emphasis on developing youths’ life skills while they are in care. In addition, allowing youths the option to return to care after discharge may reduce experiences of unstable housing and homelessness post-care.

What Does International Research Identify as the Best Practice Housing Pathways for Young People Transitioning from Out of Home Care?

“…Five papers sought the views of professionals (Centrepoint, 2017;Crous et al, 2020;Lalonde, 2020;Liabo et al, 2017;Verstraete et al, 2018). Two international literature reviews were included; one with a focus on qualitative studies (Häggman-Laitila et al, 2018) and one with a focus on international policies (Quinn et al, 2017).…”

“…In total, 968 care leavers were represented consisting of 12 (Blood et al, 2020), 12 (Butterworth et al, 2017;), 87 (Centrepoint, 2017), 611 (Courtney et al, 2016), 616 (Courtney et al, 2018-as this was a longitudinal study the samples accessed were roughly the same), 14 (Crous et al, 2020), 100 (Dietrich-Ragon, 2020), 23 (Fortune & Smith, 2021), 10 (Lalonde, 2020, 24 (Liabo et al, 2017), 61 (Marion et al, 2017) and 9 (Torbenfeldt Bengtsson & Mølholt, 2018). The views of 143 professionals were represented consisting of 99 (Centrepoint, 2017), 16 (Crous et al, 2020), 6 (Lalonde, 2020), 11 (Liabo et al, 2017), 11 (Verstraete et al, 2018)). The other two papers did not recruit a sample of either care leavers or professional workers (Häggman-Laitila et al, 2018;Quinn et al, 2017).…”

“…One of these papers noted that care leavers who are also young parents face additional needs (Fortune & Smith, 2021). One Canadian paper had a key focus on their Indigenous population (Lalonde, 2020) and noted that without specifically targeting this population they were overrepresented in their sample due to indigenous youth being removed from their birth parents or families in disproportionate numbers.…”

“…The limited access to appropriate, affordable or safe housing negatively impacted care leaver's housing experiences (Butterworth et al, 2017;Centrepoint, 2017;Dietrich-Ragon, 2020;Fortune & Smith, 2021;Häggman-Laitila et al, 2018;Lalonde, 2020;Liabo, 2017;Torbenfeldt Bengtsson & Mølholt, 2018). As one paper noted regarding the transition process, care leavers felt it was a 'transfer rather than transition' involving a short process of moving accommodation, often abruptly, rather than a gradual process of changing conditions, taking a more holistic approach (Liabo et al, 2017, p. 44).…”

Indigenous youth transitioning from out-of-home care in Australia: a study of key challenges and effective practice responses

“…International research in jurisdictions, such as New Zealand (Cleaver, 2016; Atwool, 2016, 2020, the USA (Friesen et al , 2014) and Canada (Fast et al , 2019; Lalonde et al , 2020) identifies that First Nations children and youth are over-represented in OOHC systems, that their transition pathways may be problematic as evidenced by significant numbers experiencing homelessness or entering criminal justice systems, and that empowering them to reconnect with their cultural identity and community appears to be a vital factor enabling improved outcomes.…”