A Qualitative Study of the Pathways Into and Impacts of Family Homelessness

Abstract

Homelessness has consequences for families, including risk of deterioration in the health of their members, disruption of family dynamics, and separation of parents and children. This study used qualitative interviews to explore pathways into and perceived consequences of homelessness among 18 families living in an emergency family shelter system in Canada. Findings showed that families’ experiences prior to their homelessness were characterized by vulnerability, instability, and isolation. In the emergency shelter system, families faced new challenges in environments that were restrictive, noisy, chaotic, and afforded little privacy. Participants described a further disruption of relationships and described having to change their family practices and routines. Despite the challenges that families encountered, some participants felt optimistic and hopeful about the future. Future research is needed on ways in which shelters can be more hospitable, supportive, and helpful for parents and their families to minimize negative impacts and facilitate timely rehousing of families.

Experiences of Homeless Families in Parenthood: A Systematic Review and Synthesis of Qualitative Evidence

“…Concerning the research design, the studies are mostly qualitative in nature [15,25,34,35,[38][39][40]42].…”

“…Regarding the CONQual results, most of the selected studies obtained a moderate score [37][38][39][40]42], four reached a high score [15,25,34,36], one obtained a low score [35], and one achieved a very low score [41]. Despite their low classification, these last two articles were not eliminated, because their findings were unique and contributed to the knowledge of the phenomenon.…”

“…The lack of housing brings high social costs [23] and in families, has profound consequences, including the risk of health deterioration in family members [24,25]; the disruption of family dynamics, and the separation of parents and children [25]. Homeless families present multiple problems and needs that are interrelated (e.g., social, educational and health care) [15].…”

“It Wasn't Just One Thing”: A Qualitative Study of Newly Homeless Emergency Department Patients

“…Similarly, focus groups with homeless women veterans identified a constellation of contributors to homelessness both related and not related to military service, including unemployment, relationship problems, and lack of social support . Qualitative research with homeless families in Canada and homeless adults in England also identified limitations in social support and relationship breakdown as central in pathways to homelessness . Another study, of drug users in Connecticut, found that personal factors including lack of social support and substance use interacted with structural factors such as lack of housing subsidies to contribute to homelessness …”

“…Given the complexity of interrelated factors that may lead to homelessness, qualitative research is particularly well suited to exploring pathways to homelessness. There has been little prior qualitative research, however, that has specifically examined reasons for and precipitants of homelessness in the words of people who have been affected by it . Further, to our knowledge no prior research has examined pathways to homelessness among ED patients, a potentially unique group.…”