Community-level predictors of doubled-up homelessness

Abstract

ABSTRACT Existing research has examined the community-level factors associated with sheltered and unsheltered homelessness in the United States, generally finding that housing, labor market, and social safety net factors have significant associations with geographic variation in homelessness. Some definitions of homelessness include doubling up, defined as staying with others because of housing loss or economic hardship. We examine the community correlates of doubled-up homelessness across metropolitan areas using a measure that draws on American Community Survey microdata. We present evidence that area median rent and unemployment are positively associated with rates of doubling up among the population in or near poverty, and that income inequality and unemployment are positively associated with rates of doubling up in the total population. In contrast to recent studies of sheltered and unsheltered homelessness, we find a negative relationship between access to cash public assistance and doubling up rates within both the total population and those who are low income.