Homeless Families Research Articles

Prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in homeless children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the prevalence of Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in homeless children and adolescents, and the factors that may influence its prevalence. Relevant publications in Medline, Web of Science, Scopus and PsycINFO were systematically searched to identify studies on the prevalence of ADHD in homeless children and adolescents (≤19 years). The extracted data were pooled using a random-effects model. Thirteen studies involving 2878 homeless children and adolescents were included (mean age: 12.0 years, sex F/M: 0.43). The prevalence rates of ADHD vary considerably across studies, ranging from 1.6% to 64.5%. The pooled prevalence of ADHD was 22.8% (95% CI 12.9-34.4%, I2 =98%). Meta-regression analyses indicated that age (slope = 0.046; p = .042) significantly increased ADHD prevalence. The prevalence of ADHD in studies with a mean age ≥ 12 years (43.1%, 95% CI 26.5-60.4%) was higher than those with a mean age < 12 years (13.1%, 95%CI 4.3-25.6). Despite the high heterogeneity of the studies, we observed that ADHD could affect almost a quarter of homeless children and adolescents. Reintegrating them into care systems and ensuring access to public health interventions tailored for homeless families and youth is imperative for breaking the cycle of homelessness and improving long-term trajectories.

Youth and Family Homelessness Services: Cultural Considerations in Housing First Research

Housing First is an efficacious approach to addressing housing instability. However, this was not always the case. The first uses of Housing First in 1992 represented a radical departure from socio-cultural norms that generally put treatment and psychiatric goals before housing stability. This dialogic posits that Socio-cultural perceptions of homelessness interventions play a critical role in shaping policy. The methodology outlines a brief review of systematic literature on the efficacy of Housing First homelessness services. Peer-reviewed articles (N = 102) were used for data in this review. Results demonstrate that Housing First is an efficacious approach to all types of homelessness, but that shifts in socio-cultural norms are required to see housing as a basic human right for all. More research is needed for a better understanding of culture and how it shifts perceptions on the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.

Exploring sensitivity and initiative in a mother-baby dyad with Video Intervention Therapy (VIT): a case study in a high-risk population

This preliminary report is a single case study aiming to evaluate the feasibility of Video Intervention Therapy (VIT) in difficult scenarios involving high-risk mother-infant dyads in a housing program for homeless families. The study conducted in Clermont-Ferrand, France, used the Coding Interactive Behavior (CIB) system. Ruth Feldman's framework and Stuart et al.'s 4-EFA model was applied. Three VIT sessions showcased personalized interventions, aided by the CIB's role in observing and detailing changes. The results showed in this case that maternal insensitivity, characterized by high scores in intrusiveness, interference and directiveness, goes parallel to infant’s affective disconnection and social withdrawal. The VIT and CIB mutually reinforce the team's analysis and intervention perspectives pointing towards the feasibility of the video-intervention. The findings are discussed in relation to the design of future research and the need to include video intervention (VIT) work within the service's team of direct care professionals.

Haven for Hope: A Transformational Campus Model to Address Homelessness.

Haven for Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has been rarely described in the research literature but has become nationally known for its comprehensive homeless response system in San Antonio, Texas. Haven for Hope operates a 22-acre campus that includes a Transformational Campus and a Courtyard that serves over 9,000 clients annually, including chronically homeless individuals, veterans, children, and families. Haven for Hope offers a "one-stop" design that allows dozens of community partner organizations to provide housing, meals, healthcare, job training, education, childcare, and pet services on-site. To maintain community collaborations, Haven for Hope undertakes numerous operational activities on a regular basis and employs individuals with lived experience at all organizational levels. Lessons can be extracted from history and current operations of Haven for Hope. Further research at Haven for Hope is needed to understand what and how its various models and programs benefit individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Homeless families need parenting support

Homeless families need parenting support

Utilization of modern contraceptives and associated factors among women of homeless reproductive age in Adama town, Oromia, Ethiopia

BackgroundFamily planning refers to a conscious effort by a couple to limit or space the number of children they have through the use of contraceptive methods. Contraceptive utilization is a practice that helps individuals or couples avoid unwanted pregnancy. A lack of family planning puts homeless individuals at a higher risk of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. However, there is little data about modern contraceptive utilization among homeless women in the study area.ObjectivesIt has aimed to assess the utilization of modern contraceptives and associated factors among homeless reproductive-age women in Adama town, 2023.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Adama town among 286 homeless women. A convenience sampling technique was used. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a pretested structured questionnaire. The collected data were cleaned, coded, and entered into Epi Info, and the data were exported to the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the study population. The associations between dependent and independent variables were modeled using binary logistic regression. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to estimate associations, and a P value < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.ResultsOut of the planned 289 respondents, 286 (98.9%) were participated. The prevalence of modern contraceptive utilization was 56.6% [95% CI: (50.7, 62.2)]. Among the utilizers, implants (52.5%), injectables (42%), and pills (5.5%) were used. Homeless women aged 25–34 years [AOR = 4.22, 95% CI: (1.77, 10.05)], a formal education [AOR = 3.04, 95% CI: (1.21, 7.60)], a slept off-street [AOR = 2.81, 95% CI: (1.25, 6.34)], a monthly income greater than or equal to 2400 Ethiopian birr [AOR = 4.18, 95% CI: (2.11, 8.29)], a sexual intercourse AOR = 3.14, 95% CI: (1.17, 8.40)], and a history of pregnancy after joining the street life [AOR = 9.21, 95% CI: (3.67, 23.12)] were factors significantly associated with the utilization of modern contraceptives.ConclusionThe prevalence of modern contraceptive utilization among homeless women was relatively higher than in previous studies. The associated factors for contraceptive utilization included age, education, place for sleeping, income, sexual intercourse and history of pregnancy after joining the street life. The Regional and Adama town Health Bureau and facilities should develop targeted interventions (considering age, educational, and other disparities) to reduce the unmet need for modern contraception and halt unnecessary health outcomes among homeless women, their children, and families.

Homeless Families in the Circle of Continuous Change. Housing Crisis in the Slovak Context

Households with children, especially single-parent households and those with three or more children, are the most endangered by inadequate housing in Slovakia... (Právo na bývanie, 2019: 31). Even though both national and local social policies in Slovakia prioritize family protection, current housing policy reflects a general discourse on housing based on the principle of transitional housing, merit (Škobla, Csomor, Ondrušová, 2016) and personal responsibility, which generally results in public housing policies in Slovakia having entry conditions that are unaffordable for homeless people or those with low incomes. is text is based on the results of applied qualitative research conducted by Amnesty International Slovakia's research team in three cities in Slovakia. Our research team conducted 111 interviews 1 using the methods of semi-structured and informal interviews from May 2023 until February 2024. I will examine here what options families have if they lose housing or are at risk of losing it. I am interested in how the public social system is set up in practice, and how it can respond to the problems of individual families facing housing loss. Cities are responsible for providing social rental housing, therefore, I will investigate the conditions and thresholds of public housing and social services providing temporary housing at the local level. I also observe this pervasive discourse of deservingness in public policies and narratives of social workers, city representatives, officials, clients of social services and tenants in municipal housing.

Understanding the emergency accommodation use patterns of homeless families

This paper examines homeless families' shelter stay records to better understand their patterns of service use and how they exit, or remain, within emergency accommodation. Little is known of how homeless families' stay patterns vary from the general homeless population, or how such variation might be explained by structural or individual factors. The paper utilises a cluster analysis of homeless families stay records from 2012 to 2016 in Dublin, Ireland. The data (n = 2356) is drawn from the ‘Pathway Accommodation and Support System,’ which provides ‘real-time’ information on homeless presentation and bed occupancy. The results demonstrate that family homelessness is a significant problem in Ireland, arising from wider challenges in the Irish housing system. However, the majority of homeless families experience a relatively small number of homeless episodes for short periods of time. Most do not exhibit the kinds of complex needs that might necessitate additional social services, but simply require support in accessing affordable housing. Inter-cluster differences were found on the basis of household composition, migrant status, race/ethnicity and the type of emergency accommodation placement. The findings have implications for the operation of homeless accommodation in Ireland, and have relevance for policymakers in similar housing-welfare regimes.

Navigating Life: Delaware Families Experiencing Homelessness with Young Children.

This study explored the lived experience of Delaware families residing in homeless shelters and motels with young children. We focused on their daily experiences to gain understanding about their day-to-day living to foster understanding about optimal supports that can facilitate more permanent housing arrangements. We used qualitative approaches to obtain descriptions about the daily lives of families experiencing homelessness with young children. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between November 2022 and February 2023. This study analyzes data from three families using open and thematic coding methods. Families experiencing homelessness with young children discussed their struggle to locate housing, attend to day-to-day tasks, and maintain and obtain employment. Having access to conveniently located affordable and available child care and reliable transportation were discussed across the themes. Evidence building through gathering pertinent qualitative information is a critical step toward understanding the needs of families experiencing homeless. Findings from this study can inform state-level policy and state and non-profit agencies' practices. Current policies that support family homelessness could be adjusted to better address connecting families to resources (e.g., direct connection to landlords), transportation (e.g., increasing allotted bus passes, providing a "free" monthly bus pass), and child care (e.g., co-located care - shelter plus child care, funding enrollment slots left "open" specifically for families experiencing homelessness).

Remote Parenting in Families Experiencing, or at Risk of, Homelessness: A Study Based on Grounded Theory.

The situation/risk of family homelessness presents multiple interrelated issues. It has considerable negative consequences, namely the deterioration of the family members' health and well-being, and alterations in the family's dynamics, with parents sometimes being separated from their children. The aim of this research was to understand how parenting takes place in families experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. The conducted study falls within the qualitative paradigm, using Strauss and Corbin's version of the Grounded Theory methodology. Three main categories emerged, supported by all the participating families: "Meaning of Parenthood", "Key Events", and "Transition Circumstances". These categories were translated into facilitating/inhibiting factors, within the following dimensions: "Individual", "Family", and "Society". We were able to conclude that, in the population under study, parenting is restricted, being mostly exerted in a remote manner. Furthermore, it takes on different forms, depending on the specific homelessness situation/risk. In families at risk of homelessness, we identified "Remote Parenting with Maintained Parental Authority", as well as "Restricted Parenting", when the children still lived with their parents. On the other hand, in families experiencing homelessness, we identified "Remote Parenting with Maintained Parental Authority", "Unilateral Remote Parenting", "Interrupted Parenting", and the "Total Disruption of Parenting".

Framing family homelessness in the United States: media representations and the invisibility of families

Media coverage plays an important role in generating knowledge about and shaping understandings of homelessness. Although families make up about 35% of all those without housing in the United States, they remain relatively invisible in the media. We examine the amount of coverage and content of representations of homeless families in The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times in 2017 and 2022. Families receive little media coverage in comparison to single, homeless adults, especially men. When newspapers do address unhoused families, they mainly do so without reference to the race, gender, or sexuality of homeless families. As a result of limited and trivial coverage, it is difficult to find articles that provide extended discussion of family homelessness or explain the multi-layered structural factors that cause families to lose housing.

Analysis of Shanghai's "Shanghai Ten" Point Purchase Policy from the Perspective of Gradualism

In 2020, Shanghai's property market saw another surge in property prices after several years of sideways trading. Against this backdrop, Shanghai firmly adhere to the principle of "houses are for living, not for speculation", and in January 2021 introduced the "Opinions on Promoting the Stable and Healthy Development of the Real Estate Market in the City" ("Shanghai Ten"), after which a "points" screening process was added to the purchase process of new homes in Shanghai to achieve the policy objective of "prioritizing the needs of 'homeless families' to purchase homes for self-occupation". The policy has been effective, but new problems have arisen. This study adopted the theory of gradualism, took the purchase of housing by families in need as the research problem, analyzed it from the perspective of the loopholes in the points-based policy, discussed its rationale, root causes, drawbacks and countermeasures, and put forward suggestions for solving the problem from the perspectives of providing policy support for multi-children families, exhorting marital risks, and filling the gaps in the law, respectively.

Supporting homeless families

As health visitors, we know how desperately unsuitable some accommodation can be for the health, wellbeing and development of babies and young children, says Crystal Oldman

Quantifying the Association Between Family Homelessness and School Absence in Wales, UK

Using administrative data linkage, this paper sought to quantify the impacts of family homelessness on pupil absence from school. It addresses a gap in United Kingdom (UK) homelessness research, which draws predominantly on qualitative methods and where there is a greater focus on people who fall outside of the statutory system, i.e., single people living on the streets, rather than families. Education records for the academic years 2012/13 to 2015/16 relating to pupils aged 5 to 15 years old living in a coastal city in Wales, UK, were linked to data on households assessed by the statutory housing service operating across the same region. Analysis of mean half-day sessions absent from school, and Poisson panel regression were used to explore associations between absenteeism (authorised, unauthorised, and total), and whether pupils were living in a household making a statutory homelessness application, i.e., experiencing family homelessness. On average, in any given academic year, pupils experiencing family homelessness (PEFH) missed 5 days more of school than pupils not experiencing family homelessness (PnEFH). Adjusted regression analysis found that the rate of total absence was 7% higher amongst PEFH compared to PnEFH, whilst for unauthorised absence it was 13% higher. When a student experienced family homelessness, this led to an increase in their rate of total absences by 5%—adjusting for other factors—compared to when they were not homeless. Findings have implications for statutory education and housing provision, specifically the need for greater cross-disciplinary working to prevent and alleviate the harms caused when families experience homelessness.

Proof of concept of a sexual health outreach program led by community health workers in homeless hostels in the greater Paris region.

Homeless individuals face exacerbated risks of infectious diseases, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Programs led by Community Health Workers (CHWs) have demonstrated potential to enhance healthcare access for marginalized groups such as homeless families. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a novel CHW-based outreach program addressing sexual health issues among individuals residing in homeless hostels. Twelve social homeless hostels in the greater Paris region were selected as program implementation sites. An outreach program was developed consisting of two interventions: sexual health workshops and STI screening sessions (HIV and hepatitis B and C) accompanied by individual interviews, both conducted by CHWs within each hostel over an 8-week period and scheduled weekly. Feasibility, participation and engagement were evaluated using complementary methods including qualitative field observations, semi-structured interviews and focus groups with CHWs, satisfaction questionnaires for participants, and quantitative outcome data collection of each intervention. A total of 80 program activities (workshops and screening sessions) were conducted. Among the participants, 542 women and 30 men engaged in workshops. During the 30 Rapid Diagnostic Testing sessions, 150 individuals underwent testing for HIV, hepatitis B, and/or hepatitis C. Positivity rates were 6.7% for hepatitis B and 0.9% for hepatitis C. No HIV infections were detected. Participant satisfaction rates were consistently high (>76%) across workshops. Qualitative analysis unveiled two critical axes influencing program feasibility and effectiveness: program organization and CHW involvement. This assessment of the program highlights its feasibility among a population that is difficult to reach through conventional healthcare efforts. The intervention's potential effectiveness is suggested by self- and CHW-reported improvements in sexual health literacy and high rates of referral to the healthcare system, as well as holistic well-being considerations. CHW involvement is a vital determinant of program success, as are robust coordination among stakeholders, deep understanding of the target population, and strong partner engagement. This outreach program amplifies the voices of often-overlooked populations while empowering them to navigate health and social challenges. Although these workshops serve as lifelines for those frequently excluded from mainstream services, long-term improvements to the health and wellbeing of homeless populations will necessitate systemic governmental intervention.

Building a Home Without a House: Understanding the Parental Efficacy and Adversity of Homeless Parents in Manila

This study explores the experiences of homeless parents in Manila, focusing on their efforts to foster a nurturing home environment without stable housing. Guided by Resilience Theory, the research highlights the strengths and survival skills of homeless parents in the face of adversity. Specific barangays (390, 392, 404, 459, 605) are selected using purposive sampling and a semi-structured questionnaire. Employing a qualitative phenomenological design, the study explores intricate aspects of parenting in homelessness and underscores the importance of addressing the significant housing instability effect on parental effectiveness and family welfare. The qualitative data undergo thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke’s (2006) framework. Findings highlight the unwavering commitment of homeless parents to positive relationships, showcasing resourcefulness in ensuring safety, supervision, and educational aspirations. Despite housing instability, parents exhibit effective strategies, including resourceful decision-making and adaptability. This understanding informs interventions that acknowledge and build upon the strengths and aspirations of homeless families in Manila, emphasizing emotional and relational aspects beyond basic needs. The study concludes by emphasizing its contributions to understanding homelessness dynamics and parental roles in Manila. Recommendations include recognizing and building upon the inherent resilience of homeless parents, promoting responsible parenting practices, and implementing initiatives for accessible housing aid. Future research suggestions involve exploring the experiences of children in homeless families and comparing dynamics across diverse urban settings. This study offers a concise yet comprehensive analysis, significantly advancing knowledge on homelessness and parenting in Manila, with implications for future research directions.

“Where am I going to go Tonight? Where am I literally going to go?”: Exploring the Dynamics of Domestic Violence and Family Homelessness

“Where am I going to go Tonight? Where am I literally going to go?”: Exploring the Dynamics of Domestic Violence and Family Homelessness

‘It’s like they are doing injustice’: A Single-Mother Perspective on Family Homelessness in Sweden

Single mothers with a foreign background and their children are a growing group within the homelessness population in Sweden. However, they are also more likely to live in "hidden homelessness" than other groups and are therefore less visible in official counts, a factor that contributes to misrepresentation and misrecognition of their living circumstances. In recent years, this invisibility has been exacerbated through new guidelines that delimit target groups, including families with children, and put stronger emphasis on the individual's responsibility to solve their own housing situation regardless of structural constraints. This article outlines the experience and impact of those changes as articulated by single mothers affected by homelessness and housing exclusion in the greater region of Stockholm. The findings presented show aspects of experiences of homelessness and encounters with social services that tend to be invisible in official accounts in Sweden. They further illustrate the difficulties and harmful impact on vulnerable women and children of a system that primarily focuses on exit and individual deficiencies.

Short-term impacts of housing first on homeless families: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial in Brno, Czechia

ABSTRACT This article examines whether Housing First for homeless families reduces homelessness and use of emergency health services and improves security of tenure and caregivers’ mental health. We present the quantitative data from a mixed-methods design. Homeless families with at least one child under 18, residing in Brno, Czechia were recruited for an open-label pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Families were stratified by number of children and randomized by lottery. Fifty treatment families received intensive case management, housing in municipal flats, and a risk-fund. One hundred control families received services as usual. Structured interviews were conducted at baseline, and six and twelve months after move‒in. For statistical analysis, we used a non-parametric Fisher's exact test for binary variables, a Mann–Whitney U test for categorical and continuous variables, and a parametric negative binomial model for count variables. Treatment families had less homelessness (0, 2 months vs. 11 months) in the year after move-in, were twice as likely to have secure tenure, and showed lower psychological distress. The treatment cut annual emergency room visits in half, ambulance use by three fourths, and hospitalizations by two thirds. This intervention led to greater improvements in health outcomes than previous interventions involving families experiencing homelessness.

Social support as a resilience factor for parent-infant dyads experiencing homelessness.

Despite the considerable prevalence of homelessness among very young children in the United States, there is a notable lack of research on risk, resilience, and developmental well-being of infants who experience family homelessness. In the present study, we considered social support as a resilience factor for quality of parent-infant relationships and parent depression among a sample of 106 parents and their infants (ages birth to 12 months) residing in emergency shelters for families experiencing homelessness. We assessed social support, parent histories of adverse experiences during childhood and adulthood, and parent current depression symptoms via structured interview measures, and we assessed quality of the parent-infant relationship with an observational approach. Results showed different patterns for the roles of adversity the parents had experienced during childhood compared to adversity experienced more recently, as adults. Childhood adversity predicted parent-infant responsiveness, with a positive association that was moderated by level of perceived social support. Parents with more childhood adversity showed more responsiveness with their infants only when they had access to high levels of social support. Adulthood adversity predicted higher scores for parent depression, while social support predicted lower parent depression scores. This work contributes to the very limited literature on the functioning of families with infants in shelters. Our discussion includes implications for research, policy, and prevention and intervention efforts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).