Reclaimed Voices: The Silent Impact of Women’s Experiences of Homelessness

Abstract

Background: Homelessness is a rising crisis that affects hundreds of thousands of individuals in America; but affects women differently than men. The experiences women face while homeless can translate into traumatic experiences and profoundly shape an individual's story of homelessness. These experiences prompt a need to change the systems that contribute to homelessness. Purpose: This study aims to highlight trauma across women's experiences of homelessness. Methods: Data collection for this research was conducted through qualitative interviews with eight women experiencing homelessness in Modesto, California. NVivo, a qualitative data analysis software, was used to format the interviews, identifying common code words that developed into overlapping themes. Results: The eight interviews of women experiencing homelessness identified core emerging themes of causes of homelessness, fear of loneliness, quality, and type of available services, perception of homelessness, and an understanding of the societal constructs of homelessness and gender. This research confirmed that some women experiencing homelessness are less likely to report traumatic experiences and seek support from their local social service community providers. The limitations of the smaller sample size only captured a small scale of the problem being analyzed to a potentially larger issue. Conclusion: Services should begin focusing on asking more trauma-informed questions, not only to improve care but to allow more women experiencing homelessness the chance to seek help; this is the only way to begin understanding how their traumatic experiences have impacted their livelihood.