The health challenges of families experiencing homelessness

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a scoping review on the health challenges of families experiencing homelessness. There is a bi-directional relationship between health and homelessness in that poor health can increase the risk of housing loss, and experiencing homelessness is bad for one’s health. The experience of homelessness differs between populations and this review focuses on families as one of the fastest growing segments of the homeless population. While research has been integrated on the causes of homelessness for families, this same integration has not been conducted looking at health challenges of families experiencing homelessness. Design/methodology/approach A scoping review methodology is utilized in the paper. As the goal of this work is to ultimately develop interventions for a Canadian context, primacy is given to Canadian sources, but other relevant literature is also included. Findings A clear distinction is seen in the literature between health challenges of children of homeless families and health challenges of parents. These themes are explored separately, and preliminary recommendations are made for potential points of intervention as personal, program and policy levels. Originality/value This review of current evidence is an important first step in building a foundation for interventions to improve health outcomes for those experiencing housing loss.

Direct and Indirect Associations between Family Residential Mobility, Parent Functioning, and Adolescent Behavioral Health

“…Highly mobile families in poverty were vulnerable to numerous internalizing and externalizing behavior problems and in higher need of mental health screening and services, increasing their risk of being homeless. Notably, families experiencing homelessness have many common characteristics to families in poverty, except the latter have independent housing (Annor & Oudshoorn, 2019 ). Without responsive structural support, it will be difficult for the existing homeless families with children to escape homelessness and easy for vulnerable families in poverty to enter homelessness.…”

“…High family mobility in poverty is a potential sign of family homelessness. Most researchers agree that the pathway leading highly mobile families to homelessness is not an isolated process but is shaped in multiple contexts (Annor & Oudshoorn, 2019 ; Howland et al, 2017 ; Teo & Chiu, 2016 ). In early studies, homelessness was often attributed to personal deficits, such as older age, gender, race minority, low education level, long-term substance abuse, serious physical or mental health issues, and/or incarceration (Goering et al, 2002 ; Winetrobe et al, 2017 ).…”

“…Even before the pandemic, families and children experiencing homelessness constituted a majority among the homeless population (a January 2019 figure estimates 171,670 homeless families with at least one adult and one child under the age of 18), representing one-third of the overall homeless population in the U.S. (Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2020 ). Highly mobile families in poverty, notably, homeless families with children can exert substantial efforts on parents and children, leaving them vulnerable to numerous adverse health and developmental outcomes (Annor & Oudshoorn, 2019 ; National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2020 ; Rog et al, 2015 ).…”

“The Propellers of My Life” The Impact of Domestic Violence Transitional Housing on Parents and Children

“…Many DV survivors facing housing insecurity have minor children, increasing family vulnerability when trying to leave a violent relationship. Homelessness is detrimental for children and families, leading to increased stress, hunger, mental and physical health challenges, interference with abilities to self-regulate and concentrate in school, and increased chance for removal of children by child welfare systems (Annor & Oudshoorn, 2019 ; Bassuk et al, 2020 ; Shinn et al, 2017 ). Additionally, racial disparities among families who experience both DV and homelessness and housing insecurity exist, especially for Black families who face homelessness at the most disproportional rates, which lead to increased experiences of structural racism, in systems like child welfare, and community violence (Olivet et al, 2021 ; Rochelle, 2017 ; Shinn et al, 2017 ).…”

North Carolina’s Healthy Opportunities Pilots Focus Attention on Housing as a Health Care Intervention

“…M illions of people in the United States experience housing problems that can harm health [1][2][3][4]. Two major pathways whereby housing issues can impact health are low housing quality and housing instability.…”