Young Peoples Homeless Pathways Findings from a Three-Phase Biographical Longitudinal Study Paula...

Young People’s Homeless Young People’s Homeless PathwaysPathways

Findings from a Three-Phase Findings from a Three-Phase Biographical Longitudinal StudyBiographical Longitudinal Study

Paula Mayock, PhDPaula Mayock, PhD

Focus on Youth ConferenceFocus on Youth ConferenceDublin Castle, 2Dublin Castle, 2ndnd March 2011 March 2011

Dr. Mary Louise Corr Dr. Mary Louise Corr

Keele UniversityKeele University

Dr. Eoin O’Sullivan Dr. Eoin O’Sullivan

Trinity College DublinTrinity College Dublin

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements Young people who have participated in the research.Young people who have participated in the research.

Services and service providers who have helped us to Services and service providers who have helped us to establish and maintain contact with the study’s young establish and maintain contact with the study’s young people.people.

Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA): funding for Phase I of the research.(OMCYA): funding for Phase I of the research.

Homeless Agency: funding for Phase II of the research.Homeless Agency: funding for Phase II of the research.

OMCYA & Homeless Agency: funding for Phase III of OMCYA & Homeless Agency: funding for Phase III of the research.the research.

Overview of the StudyOverview of the Study

Longitudinal study of homeless young people in Longitudinal study of homeless young people in Dublin.Dublin.

Research set out to generate an in-depth Research set out to generate an in-depth understanding of the understanding of the process of youth process of youth

homelessnesshomelessness..

Informed by a Informed by a pathways approachpathways approach

Pathways ApproachPathways Approach

The pathways approach seeks to map out and explain The pathways approach seeks to map out and explain patterns (and changes) in the experience of patterns (and changes) in the experience of homelessness homelessness over timeover time. .

Homelessness is not seen as a static or fixed state, Homelessness is not seen as a static or fixed state, rather an evolving status that is continually subject to rather an evolving status that is continually subject to change. change.

It recognises that individuals can move into and out It recognises that individuals can move into and out of homelessness at different stages in their life cycle.of homelessness at different stages in their life cycle.

Study AimsStudy Aims

To document, record and understand To document, record and understand temporal changes temporal changes in homeless young people’s living situations and to in homeless young people’s living situations and to capture change in the homeless experience over time.capture change in the homeless experience over time.

To identify pathways or trajectories To identify pathways or trajectories intointo, , throughthrough and and out ofout of homelessness. homelessness.

To generate knowledge and understanding to inform To generate knowledge and understanding to inform policy-relevant recommendations related to service policy-relevant recommendations related to service provision, early intervention and the prevention of provision, early intervention and the prevention of negative health outcomes.negative health outcomes.

MethodologyMethodologyPhase I (September 2004 – January 2005)Phase I (September 2004 – January 2005) Life history interviews conducted with 40 homeless young people (23 Life history interviews conducted with 40 homeless young people (23

males and 17 females)males and 17 females) Criteria: Criteria:

1. Homeless or insecure accommodation1. Homeless or insecure accommodation2. Between 14 and 22 years2. Between 14 and 22 years3. Living in the Dublin metropolitan area for 6 months3. Living in the Dublin metropolitan area for 6 months

Phase II (September 2005 – August 2006)Phase II (September 2005 – August 2006) Tracking processTracking process Information attained on the living situation of 37 of the 40 young Information attained on the living situation of 37 of the 40 young

people interviewed at Phase I.people interviewed at Phase I. Follow-up interviews were conducted with 30 young people (16 Follow-up interviews were conducted with 30 young people (16

males and 14 females)males and 14 females)

Phase I Phase II Phase III

Young Men 23 16 15

Young Women

17 14 13

Total 40 30 28

Phase III (August 2009 – December 2010) Second tracking process Information attained on the living situation of 32 of the 40 young

people interviewed at Phase I.Interviews were conducted with 28 young people.Includes 5 young people who were not interviewed at Phase II.

Young People InterviewedYoung People Interviewed

Phase I Research FindingsPhase I Research Findings

Phase II Research FindingsPhase II Research Findings

Sample OverviewSample Overview

Age of Respondents, Phases I to IIIAge of Respondents, Phases I to III

Phase I Phase I : YP aged between 12 and 22 years.: YP aged between 12 and 22 years.

Phase II Phase II : YP aged between 15 and 24 years.: YP aged between 15 and 24 years.

Phase IIIPhase III: YP aged between 18 and 27 years.: YP aged between 18 and 27 years.

Pathways Into HomelessnessPathways Into Homelessness

‘‘Becoming’ Homeless: process can be traced to childhoodBecoming’ Homeless: process can be traced to childhood

Traumatic life events: parental illness or death, family conflict, Traumatic life events: parental illness or death, family conflict, parental drug or alcohol abuse, school difficulties and/or parental drug or alcohol abuse, school difficulties and/or experiences of violence or abuseexperiences of violence or abuse

Three Pathways ‘Into’ HomelessnessThree Pathways ‘Into’ Homelessness

Pathway IPathway I::Care History (40%)Care History (40%)

Pathway IIPathway II:: Household Instability and Family ConflictHousehold Instability and Family Conflict

Pathway IIIPathway III:: Negative Peer Associations and Problem Negative Peer Associations and Problem BehaviourBehaviour

Complex overlap between the three pathways (similarities between Complex overlap between the three pathways (similarities between them)them)

Living Situations, Phase ILiving Situations, Phase I

ACCOMMODATION TYPE Males

(N=23)

Females

(N=17)

All

(N=40)

Emergency/Short term Residential Care Emergency/Short term Residential Care Setting or ‘Hostel’ (OHS)Setting or ‘Hostel’ (OHS)

1212 1313 2525

Longer-term Resid Setting/ ‘Hostel’Longer-term Resid Setting/ ‘Hostel’ 22 00 22

Adult Hostels/B&BsAdult Hostels/B&Bs 22 11 33

Between Hostel & HomeBetween Hostel & Home 11 00 11

StreetStreet 22 00 22

PrisonPrison 33 00 33

Transitional/Supported HousingTransitional/Supported Housing 11 11 22

HomeHome 00 22 22

TOTALTOTAL 2323 1717 4040

Living Situations, Phase IILiving Situations, Phase IIACCOMMODATION TYPEACCOMMODATION TYPE Males (n=20)Males (n=20) Females (n=17)Females (n=17) All (n=37)All (n=37)

Emergency/Short term Residential SettingEmergency/Short term Residential Setting 00 11 11

Longer-term Residential Setting/ ‘Hostel’Longer-term Residential Setting/ ‘Hostel’ 00 00 00

Adult Hostels/B&BsAdult Hostels/B&Bs 33 11 44

Between Hostel & HomeBetween Hostel & Home 00 00 00

StreetStreet 22 11 33


Transitional/Supported HousingTransitional/Supported Housing 44 44 88

HomeHome 22 44 66

Private Rented Sector Private Rented Sector 22 00 22

Foster CareFoster Care 00 11 22

Residential Drug TreatmentResidential Drug Treatment 11 00 11

Residential CareResidential Care 00 33 33

Special Care UnitSpecial Care Unit 11 00 11

CaravanCaravan 00 11 11

DeceasedDeceased 00 11 11


Living Situations, Phase IIILiving Situations, Phase III

ACCOMMODATION TYPEACCOMMODATION TYPE MALEMALE FEMALEFEMALE TOTALTOTAL

Adult hostel/B&BAdult hostel/B&B 33 11 44

StreetsStreets 22 00 22

Between streets/sofasBetween streets/sofas 11 00 11


Other (homeless)Other (homeless) 11 00 11

Private Rented SectorPrivate Rented Sector 11 77 88

HomeHome 11 22 33

Local Authority HousingLocal Authority Housing 11 00 11

Transitional./Supported HousingTransitional./Supported Housing 00 22 22

AftercareAftercare 00 11 11


Homeless Pathways – Phase IIHomeless Pathways – Phase IIHOMELESS PATHWAYSHOMELESS PATHWAYS M FF AllAll

Pathway 1Pathway 1

Independent Exits from HomelessnessIndependent Exits from Homelessness

Family home (6); Private rented sector Family home (6); Private rented sector accommodation (1)accommodation (1)

22 55 77

Pathway 2Pathway 2

Dependent Exits from HomelessnessDependent Exits from Homelessness

Transition or supported housing unit (7); State care Transition or supported housing unit (7); State care (3)(3)

33 77 1010

Pathway 3Pathway 3

Continued HomelessnessContinued Homelessness

Adult hostel (4); rough sleeping (2); prison (5); Adult hostel (4); rough sleeping (2); prison (5); Other (2)Other (2)

1111 22 1313

PHASE III PATHWAYSPHASE III PATHWAYS

Continued HomelessnessN = 13 (11M, 2F)

Continued HomelessnessN = 12 (11M, 1F)(8 from PH.II and 4 from PH.I)

New Ind. ExitN = 3 (1M, 2F)

New Dep. ExitN = 1 (female)

PH

AS

E II (N

=30)

PH

AS

E III (N

=28)

Exit (N

= 15)

Hom

eless (N =

13)

PHASE I – N = 40

Dependent ExitN = 10 (3M, 7F)

Sustained Dep. ExitN = 1 (female)

Return to HomelessnessN = 1 (male)

Dep.to Ind. ExitN = 6 (2M , 4F)

Ind to Dep. ExitN =1(female)

Independent Exit N = 7 (2M, 5F)

Sustained Ind. ExitN = 3 (female)

Facilitating and Maintaining Homeless ExitsFacilitating and Maintaining Homeless Exits

Speedy Access to Secure HousingSpeedy Access to Secure Housing Vast majority who exited homelessness and maintained

this exit accessed more secure housing (either through an independent or independent exit at Phase II) relatively quickly.

They exited OHS accommodation far more quickly than their counterparts to remained homeless.

Far fewer experienced a long period of repeat admission to OHS accommodation.

Facilitating and Maintaining Homeless ExitsFacilitating and Maintaining Homeless Exits

Family SupportFamily Support““I’d be lost without them (parents) because they’re huge support I’d be lost without them (parents) because they’re huge support

for me and they’d do anything for me. So I can’t complain about for me and they’d do anything for me. So I can’t complain about them too much (laugh) . . . She’s (Mum) learned to trust me them too much (laugh) . . . She’s (Mum) learned to trust me and that’s the biggest thing, there’s a bit more trust in the and that’s the biggest thing, there’s a bit more trust in the family.”family.” [Anna, age 19, P.II] [Anna, age 19, P.II]

“… “… it’s like a whole new relationship with my parents now...It’s it’s like a whole new relationship with my parents now...It’s like, my mother’s like my best friend now and so is my sister like, my mother’s like my best friend now and so is my sister and me dad like they’re just, they have been just so amazing and me dad like they’re just, they have been just so amazing and I suppose this time I’ve seen it” and I suppose this time I’ve seen it” [[Sarah, age 26, P.III]

Disaffiliation from Former Street Peers and OHS ‘Scene’Disaffiliation from Former Street Peers and OHS ‘Scene’

““The friends, like when I came out and got clean, everybody told me to stay away from all The friends, like when I came out and got clean, everybody told me to stay away from all my old friends. Now, I don’t go, my old friends. Now, I don’t go, I’m not friends with any people that I was involved with in I’m not friends with any people that I was involved with in that kind of scenethat kind of scene but people before then, I’d be friends with now but people before then, I’d be friends with now” [Anna, age 22, P.III]” [Anna, age 22, P.III]

“… “… I kind of washed me life with that sceneI kind of washed me life with that scene, not in a bad way…[OHS hostel] I’d never , not in a bad way…[OHS hostel] I’d never have anything to do with again. That was just a bad place. have anything to do with again. That was just a bad place. I was put in the wrong place I was put in the wrong place at the wrong time likeat the wrong time like. . The system shouldn’t have put me thereThe system shouldn’t have put me there. I was too young…I . I was too young…I think it’s the worst place in the world to put anybody because if you’re not corrupted, it’s think it’s the worst place in the world to put anybody because if you’re not corrupted, it’s corrupt ya, and that’s just it likecorrupt ya, and that’s just it like.” [Lisa, age 20, P.III].” [Lisa, age 20, P.III]

““

Drug TreatmentDrug Treatment

“… “… that [drug treatment] was a big life saver for me because, from that [drug treatment] was a big life saver for me because, from going out every day scoring drugs, your life is, you can’t going out every day scoring drugs, your life is, you can’t manage your life you know”manage your life you know” [Seán, age 22, P.II]. [Seán, age 22, P.II].

Parenthood – A sense of responsibilityParenthood – A sense of responsibility

““So, I hadn’t used since then and then I had the baby and it was So, I hadn’t used since then and then I had the baby and it was like something clicked and everything just changedlike something clicked and everything just changed”” [Sarah, age [Sarah, age 26, P.III]26, P.III]

““Mostly having the baby like she’s made me life like, she made me Mostly having the baby like she’s made me life like, she made me life better like you know like. It’s the thing to keep me away life better like you know like. It’s the thing to keep me away from drugs”from drugs” [Siobhan, age 27, P.III] [Siobhan, age 27, P.III]

Gaining IndependenceGaining Independence““I think I felt ... I think I felt ... more confident more confident in meself that I was able to do this, that in meself that I was able to do this, that I I

was able to run a homewas able to run a home, that I was able to keep it clean, pay me bills, , that I was able to keep it clean, pay me bills, look after me daughter look after me daughter and not need that support. To be told by them, and not need that support. To be told by them, ‘look we’re going to finish up with you know...’ felt good...T‘look we’re going to finish up with you know...’ felt good...That I didn’t hat I didn’t need people linking in all the timeneed people linking in all the time”” [Caroline, age 21, P.III] [Caroline, age 21, P.III]

“…“…the fact of being out of all the social servicesthe fact of being out of all the social services” [Jacinta, age 21, P.III]” [Jacinta, age 21, P.III]

““I done up the apartment and then that was another sort of I done up the apartment and then that was another sort of confidence confidence booster booster that I was actually, that I was actually, I had somewhere I could call my own homeI had somewhere I could call my own home like, you know? I know you I suppose you could call [transitional like, you know? I know you I suppose you could call [transitional housing] your own home but it wasn’t really at the end of the day housing] your own home but it wasn’t really at the end of the day because because it wasn’t permanentit wasn’t permanent, you know, it was only temporary, it wasn’t , you know, it was only temporary, it wasn’t permanent” permanent” [Sean, age 26, P.III][Sean, age 26, P.III]

Education and EmploymentEducation and Employment

All but 3 young people who had sustained exits had All but 3 young people who had sustained exits had engaged in education/training and/or had previous engaged in education/training and/or had previous experience of employment. experience of employment.

Financial SupportFinancial Support

Rent assistance, social welfare payments. Rent assistance, social welfare payments. Continued economic instability: Continued economic instability: ““There’s no job I can work that will allow me to earn There’s no job I can work that will allow me to earn

enough to rent privately and there’s no job that I can enough to rent privately and there’s no job that I can do that will allow me to earn so little without it effecting do that will allow me to earn so little without it effecting that type of stuff” that type of stuff” [Caroline, age 21, P.III][Caroline, age 21, P.III]

Exiting/Remaining HomelessExiting/Remaining Homeless The vast majority of those who exited homelessness and The vast majority of those who exited homelessness and

sustained that exit accessed more stable accommodation sustained that exit accessed more stable accommodation within one year of first becoming homeless.within one year of first becoming homeless.

Those who remained homeless at the time of Phase III of Those who remained homeless at the time of Phase III of the study (and those who returned to homelessness) did the study (and those who returned to homelessness) did not move to stable accommodation at an early juncture not move to stable accommodation at an early juncture and instead embarked on a and instead embarked on a cycle of commuting between cycle of commuting between emergency hostel accommodationemergency hostel accommodation (under-18s and (under-18s and subsequently to adult hostels).subsequently to adult hostels).

WHEN AND WHY YOUNG PEOPLE REMAIN WHEN AND WHY YOUNG PEOPLE REMAIN HOMELESSHOMELESS

Social adaptation/acculturation accounts of prolonged Social adaptation/acculturation accounts of prolonged homelessness: the longer people remain homeless, the homelessness: the longer people remain homeless, the more they adapt to homelessness as ‘a way of life’ (Sosin more they adapt to homelessness as ‘a way of life’ (Sosin et al., 1990; May, 2000; Austerwald & Eyre, 2002; et al., 1990; May, 2000; Austerwald & Eyre, 2002; Chamberlain & Johnson, 2002).Chamberlain & Johnson, 2002).

Focus: subsistence strategies; criminal activity; routines; Focus: subsistence strategies; criminal activity; routines; identity.identity.

Peers: sense of ‘belonging’ on the street.Peers: sense of ‘belonging’ on the street.

Become involved in a homeless ‘subculture’.Become involved in a homeless ‘subculture’.

The Stories of Young People who Remained The Stories of Young People who Remained HomelessHomeless

There is some evidence of a process of ‘acculturation’ to There is some evidence of a process of ‘acculturation’ to street scenes: see ‘street scenes: see ‘Lives in CrisisLives in Crisis’.’.

Acculturation as Explanation?Acculturation as Explanation?

A detailed examination of these young people’s A detailed examination of these young people’s biographical accounts and their accounts of their biographical accounts and their accounts of their homeless ‘journeys’ presents a more complex picture.homeless ‘journeys’ presents a more complex picture.

Process of institutionalisation rather than acculturation.Process of institutionalisation rather than acculturation.

The Biographies of Young People who The Biographies of Young People who Remained HomelessRemained Homeless

State CareState Care 5/13 had reported a history of state care5/13 had reported a history of state care 5/13 reported a period of detention in children detention school5/13 reported a period of detention in children detention school 8/13 had a history of either state care OR detention8/13 had a history of either state care OR detention

““Me ma got cancer and she died from it so, we all got put into foster families Me ma got cancer and she died from it so, we all got put into foster families … This is my family, other people are different … But, that was it and I … This is my family, other people are different … But, that was it and I went through voluntary care homes, about twelve foster homes I went went through voluntary care homes, about twelve foster homes I went through … that was eight years ago … Yeah, about twelve different through … that was eight years ago … Yeah, about twelve different houses, yeah. Then I was put in St. Michael’s [Remand & Assessment] for houses, yeah. Then I was put in St. Michael’s [Remand & Assessment] for six months when I was only twelve or something, six months when I was only twelve or something, I was locked up for most I was locked up for most of it, most of me teenage yearsof it, most of me teenage years” [Ronan, age 17, P.I]” [Ronan, age 17, P.I]


Hostels Cycle of hostel use from the time of first contact with the OHS.““(Hostel 1) was the first hostel I was in. I was in there again (later) you know but in (Hostel 1) was the first hostel I was in. I was in there again (later) you know but in

between the hostels, I was in the Out of Hours. ‘Cos like you get fucked out and then between the hostels, I was in the Out of Hours. ‘Cos like you get fucked out and then you have to go through the Out of Hours again. So (you have to go through the Out of Hours again. So (Hostel 1Hostel 1) for five months and then ) for five months and then back through the back through the Out of Hours Out of Hours for a few months and then I got back into (for a few months and then I got back into (Hostel 1) Hostel 1) again. And I was only in there for two months that time and back through the again. And I was only in there for two months that time and back through the Out of Out of Hours againHours again. Then after that to (. Then after that to (Hostel 2Hostel 2). I was in there three times, I lived there three ). I was in there three times, I lived there three times and the, em, going through (times and the, em, going through (Hostel 3Hostel 3) as well. That’s it, that’s about it. And then I ) as well. That’s it, that’s about it. And then I turned 18 and started using (turned 18 and started using (adult hosteladult hostel)”.)”. [Paul, age 21, P.II][Paul, age 21, P.II]

Entry to adult hostels. Most often depicted as a critical ‘moment’ or ‘turning point’. In the words of one respondent who remained homeless, “They wash their hands

of us when we’re 18” [Luke, age 19, P.II].


IncarcerationIncarceration 12 young people (11 male and 1 female) who remained homeless had

spent time in prison at some time. 5 of them (all male) were incarcerated at the time of interview.

““I just, I’ve been locked up an awful lot since then (P.II Interview) About 16 times I just, I’ve been locked up an awful lot since then (P.II Interview) About 16 times since I last seen you. You know, Cloverhill, St. Pat’s, Mountjoy, Wheatfield. since I last seen you. You know, Cloverhill, St. Pat’s, Mountjoy, Wheatfield. Yeah, that’s it. And the Midlands one …” [Fergal, age 23, P.III]Yeah, that’s it. And the Midlands one …” [Fergal, age 23, P.III]

“… “… I ended up starting to slip (after period in drug treatment), went into full I ended up starting to slip (after period in drug treatment), went into full relapse after about four months and, eh, then I was homeless. Then I was relapse after about four months and, eh, then I was homeless. Then I was locked up … Yeah I was in prison and eh that was really it. Now its back to locked up … Yeah I was in prison and eh that was really it. Now its back to square one” [Christian, age 22, P.III]square one” [Christian, age 22, P.III]

““Its over the years being in and out you know. It’s just prison now you know …” Its over the years being in and out you know. It’s just prison now you know …” [Christian, age 22, P.III][Christian, age 22, P.III]

Key FindingsKey Findings Clearly, many young people who experience homelessness as Clearly, many young people who experience homelessness as

teenagers progress to stable housing and many never return to teenagers progress to stable housing and many never return to homelessness.homelessness.

Facilitators to Exiting:Facilitators to Exiting: Access to housing; Access to housing; Family support; Family support; Re-engagement with education/training; Re-engagement with education/training; Disaffiliation from former street peers; Disaffiliation from former street peers; Drug treatment; Drug treatment; EmploymentEmployment

A key issue here is early access to secure housingA key issue here is early access to secure housing

Key FindingsKey Findings Those young people who remained homeless had spent up to or Those young people who remained homeless had spent up to or

exceeding a decade, in many cases, without a stable place to exceeding a decade, in many cases, without a stable place to live.live. During this time they had entered into many systems of During this time they had entered into many systems of

intervention, including homeless services targeting youth, intervention, including homeless services targeting youth, places of detention and adult homeless services. Many also places of detention and adult homeless services. Many also had a history of State care.had a history of State care.

““Institutional circuit” : sequential stints in a series of Institutional circuit” : sequential stints in a series of institutions in place of a stable living situation (Hopper, 1997; institutions in place of a stable living situation (Hopper, 1997; Metraux & Culhane, 2006).Metraux & Culhane, 2006).

[And what would you like to see us do with the [And what would you like to see us do with the information that we get from young people?]information that we get from young people?]

Just to, just to grow a new system … New system, a lot of Just to, just to grow a new system … New system, a lot of help there, support there. Find out what the young help there, support there. Find out what the young person wants and what he needs and give him that. person wants and what he needs and give him that. Don’t just fuck him out to the street. Say, ‘There’s Don’t just fuck him out to the street. Say, ‘There’s nothing we can do for you’, and close the door in your nothing we can do for you’, and close the door in your face and it’s up to you then to raise yourself … Give face and it’s up to you then to raise yourself … Give them an option. Do you know what I mean? Don’t give them an option. Do you know what I mean? Don’t give them like two bad roads to walk down. One’s worse them like two bad roads to walk down. One’s worse but the other’s worser. but the other’s worser. [Fergal, age 23, P.III][Fergal, age 23, P.III]

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