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Homeless youths' perceptions of services and transitions to stable housing

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  • Garrett, Sharon B.
  • Higa, Darrel H.
  • Phares, Melissa M.
  • Peterson, Peggy L.
  • Wells, Elizabeth A.
  • Baer, John S.

Abstract

Use of available services is low among homeless youths, and how youth make decisions to access services or seek housing is unclear. This study explored perspectives of current and former street youth about these processes. Recruited from the streets and a drop-in center, 27 youth ages 16-24, participated in individual qualitative interviews. Findings from consensual qualitative analyses indicated choices to use services were embedded within developing autonomy and identification with street lifestyles. Themes of self-reliance, substance use, and relationships with street and housed persons were expressed as critical for both using services and transitioning to stable housing. Agency-related factors such as caring staff, a nonjudgmental atmosphere, and flexible policies were perceived as important for service use while youth-related factors such as experiencing major events, being internally motivated, and embracing mainstream values were seen as conducive to transitioning off the streets. Implications for service providers and future research are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Garrett, Sharon B. & Higa, Darrel H. & Phares, Melissa M. & Peterson, Peggy L. & Wells, Elizabeth A. & Baer, John S., 2008. "Homeless youths' perceptions of services and transitions to stable housing," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 31(4), pages 436-444, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:epplan:v:31:y:2008:i:4:p:436-444
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Thompson, Sanna J. & McManus, Holly & Lantry, Janet & Windsor, Liliane & Flynn, Patrick, 2006. "Insights from the street: Perceptions of services and providers by homeless young adults," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 29(1), pages 34-43, February.
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    1. Brothers, Sarah & Lin, Jess & Schonberg, Jeffrey & Drew, Corey & Auerswald, Colette, 2020. "Food insecurity among formerly homeless youth in supportive housing: A social-ecological analysis of a structural intervention," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
    2. Rice, Eric & Thompson, Nicole & Onasch-Vera, Laura & Petry, Laura & Petering, Robin & Casey, Erin & Cooper, Toni & DiBattiste, Michelle & McAlpin, Frank, 2023. "Ending youth homelessness is about relationships: The importance of drop-in centers and staff to youth experiencing homelessness," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    3. Robert Suchting & Michael S. Businelle & Stephen W. Hwang & Nikhil S. Padhye & Yijiong Yang & Diane M. Santa Maria, 2020. "Predicting Daily Sheltering Arrangements among Youth Experiencing Homelessness Using Diary Measurements Collected by Ecological Momentary Assessment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-17, September.
    4. Altena, Astrid M. & Beijersbergen, Mariëlle D. & Wolf, Judith R.L.M., 2014. "Homeless youth's experiences with shelter and community care services: Differences between service types and the relationship to overall service quality," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 195-202.
    5. Barn, Ravinder & Tan, Jo-Pei, 2015. "Foster youth and drug use: Exploring risk and protective factors," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 107-115.
    6. Black, Emma B. & Fedyszyn, Izabela E. & Mildred, Helen & Perkin, Rhianna & Lough, Richard & Brann, Peter & Ritter, Cheryl, 2018. "Homeless youth: Barriers and facilitators for service referrals," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 7-12.
    7. Barman-Adhikari, Anamika & Rice, Eric, 2014. "Social networks as the context for understanding employment services utilization among homeless youth," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 90-101.
    8. Altena, Astrid M. & Boersma, Sandra N. & Beijersbergen, Mariëlle D. & Wolf, Judith R.L.M., 2018. "Cognitive coping in relation to self-determination and quality of life in homeless young adults," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 650-658.
    9. Ha, Yoonsook & Narendorf, Sarah C. & Santa Maria, Diane & Bezette-Flores, Noel, 2015. "Barriers and facilitators to shelter utilization among homeless young adults," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 25-33.
    10. Yoonsook, Ha & Thomas, Margaret M.C. & Narendorf, Sarah Carter & Maria, Diane Santa, 2018. "Correlates of shelter use among young adults experiencing homelessness," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 477-484.
    11. Napoleon, Jenilee-Sarah & Evans, David W. & Weva, Vanessa K. & Francois, Tamarah & Namdari, Reyhane & Sherman, Jessica & Rimada, Camila M. & Morisseau, Nancy & Lafontant, Emmanuel & Miller, Sydney & B, 2023. "Rethinking narratives about youth experiencing homelessness: Exploring essential relationships and resilience," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    12. Lindquist-Grantz, Robin & Downing, Kimberly & Hicks, Meredith & Houchin, Cherie & Ackman, Victoria, 2022. "Watch Me Rise: An evaluation of Wraparound with homeless youth with a child welfare history," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    13. Tucker, Joan S. & Pedersen, Eric R. & Parast, Layla & Klein, David J., 2018. "Factors associated with drop-in center utilization among unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 347-354.
    14. Hendry, David G. & Woelfer, Jill Palzkill & Harper, Rowena & Bauer, Tyler & Fitzer, Brynn & Champagne, Mike, 2011. "How to integrate digital media into a drop-in for homeless young people for deepening relationships between youth and adults," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(5), pages 774-782, May.
    15. DiGuiseppi, Graham & Pedersen, Eric R. & Rodriguez, Anthony & D'Amico, Elizabeth J. & Tucker, Joan S., 2024. "Associations between service use and behavioral health trajectories among young adults experiencing homelessness," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    16. Gurdak, Kristen & Bond, Lynden & Padgett, Deborah & Petering, Robin, 2022. "Transitioning to independent living: Experiences of homeless young adults in rapid rehousing," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    17. Ryan, Tiffany N. & Thompson, Sanna J., 2013. "Perspectives on housing among homeless emerging adults," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 36(1), pages 107-114.

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