This is our home: Initiating participatory action housing research with refugee and immigrant communities in a time of unwelcome

Byrne, Kara; Kuttner, Paul J.; Mohamed, Abdulkhaliq; Magana, Gilberto Rejon; Goldberg, Ellen Elisabeth

doi:10.1177/1476750318790797

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 26 publications

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“…Studies have found that undocumented immigrants live in poorer quality, overcrowded housing and face more housing challenges than do documented immigrants and native-born renters (Hall & Greenman, 2013 ; McConnell, 2017 ). Once housing is secured, unscrupulous landlords may take advantage of immigrants who do not know their legal rights and protections ( Byrne et al, 2018 ).…”

Section: Immigrant Family Strengths and Economic Realities Pre-covid-19mentioning

confidence: 99%

Immigrant Family Financial and Relationship Stress From the COVID-19 Pandemic

et al. 2022

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We tend to overlook immigrant families in policy and program discussions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, yet they are some of the most vulnerable to the effects of this continuing crisis. This study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on immigrant families in an upper Midwest state. We interviewed 19 human and social service providers from agencies serving Somali, Latinx, and Karen (refugees from Burma/Myanmar) immigrant families between June and August 2020. Results analyzed for this paper focused on responses to questions asked about COVID-19-related financial and familial stress, and coping resources and constraints that providers were observing with their immigrant clients. Guided by the Family Adjustment and Adaptation Response Model (Patterson, 1988), we identified a pile-up of financial and relationship stressors including employment, housing, and family relationship strains, and resource access constraints. We found that job loss in already financially vulnerable immigrant families was particularly impactful. Housing insecurity soon followed. Immigrant families also faced significant constraints to resource access including lack of documentation, fear of making a mistake, language barriers, and lack of technology skills. We identified family and community resources that families used to meet demands, coping strategies, and glimmers of resilience. As we near the end of the pandemic, we urge family researchers to monitor long-term effects of the crisis on immigrant families. Findings can inform the creation of programs and policies that address immigrant family needs for resources and culturally relevant services to support their financial recovery post-COVID.

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Section: Immigrant Family Strengths and Economic Realities Pre-covid-19mentioning

confidence: 99%