Prevalence and covariates of food insecurity among residents of single-room occupancy housing in Chicago, IL, USA

Abstract

Objective: Emerging evidence suggests that food insecurity is a significant public health concern among people who are homeless or marginally housed. The present study assessed prevalence of food insecurity and its covariates among a group of marginally housed individuals living in single-room occupancy (SRO) dwellings, a population for which there is little extant health or nutrition research. Design: Cross-sectional survey incorporating the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. Setting: Ten private SRO residences in the Uptown neighbourhood of Chicago, IL, USA, 2013. Subjects: SRO residents over 18 years of age who were able to communicate verbally in English (n 153). Results: Food insecurity was widespread among SRO residents, with 75 % of the sample considered food insecure and 52 % meeting criteria for severe food insecurity. Bivariate analyses indicated that female gender, eating most meals at a soup kitchen, having a mental health condition, problem drinking, having at least one chronic health condition, and diabetes were all significantly associated with food insecurity. In the multivariate ordered logistic regression model, eating most meals at a soup kitchen remained as the only significant correlate of food insecurity (OR = 10·13). Conclusions: SRO residents and other marginally housed populations face unique food access challenges. Although targeted assistance in the form of food stamps and congregate meal programmes remains critical, efforts to prevent and address food insecurity among homeless and marginally housed individuals should include policy interventions that recognize poverty as the root cause of food insecurity and aim to increase overall income and improve housing conditions.

Factors associated with food insecurity among older homeless adults: results from the HOPE HOME study

“…In a population-based sample of older homeless adults, over half reported food insecurity: one-third reported low food security and one quarter reported very low food security. This is similar to food insecurity estimates among other homeless populations [27][28][29][30] and two times higher than national estimates in the US poverty population (below 185% of the poverty threshold). 31 In the general population, older adults are less likely to experience food insecurity than younger adults.…”

“…Prior studies in homeless non-elderly populations found similar prevalence of food insecurity, with estimates between 40 and 64%. [27][28][29][30] None, however, focused on older adults, who due a higher prevalence of chronic diseases, may face additional risks from food insecurity. There has been increased attention on food insecurity in the general poverty and older populations, but neither face risks as high as the older homeless population.…”

‘Hello, you’re not supposed to be here’: homeless emerging adults’ experiences negotiating food access

“…Prior research on homelessness and food insecurity has focused primarily on single adults and families in unstable (e.g. overcrowded or transient), substandard or unaffordable housing (3)(4)(5)(6)(7) . For example, a recent study of homeless mentally ill adults in Vancouver, Canada found that nearly two-thirds of the sample were food insecure (7) .…”

Food Insecurity in Homeless Families in the Paris Region (France): Results from the ENFAMS Survey

“…Compared to the prevalence of food insecurity evaluated in 2010 in the general population living in the same urban area [22], the difference is striking (6.30% vs. 86.0%). Whereas this level of prevalence has already been observed in other studies focusing on homelessness [31][32][33][34], it is surprising and even worrying in France, a country that can be considered as a welfare state, ranking first among OCDE countries for the proportion of its GDP dedicated to public social expenditures.…”