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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Cheryl Zlotnick, RN DrPH, Tammy Tam, PhD, and Kimberly Bradley, PsyD. Center for the Vulnerable Child, Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland, 747 52nd Street, Oakland, CA 94609-1809, (510) 428-3783, czlotnick@mail.cho.org

Background: The Chronic Homelessness initiative has directed millions of dollars to address problems for “unaccompanied homeless individuals” with long durations of homelessness. Unfortunately, this definition specifically excludes women living with their children. Moreover, it assumes that unaccompanied homeless women are “single.” Although previous research on homelessness has examined differences between single women and women with minor-aged children, there has been little information on mothers whose minor-aged children are living elsewhere. Objective: This study examines: (1) the influence of substance abuse and mental illness on durations and choices of overnight residences among the three groups of homeless women; single women no never had children, mothers whose minor-aged children live elsewhere, and mothers whose minor-aged children live with them; and (2) discusses the impact of current policies that are uninformed on these differences. Methods: We will use the National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients (NSHAPC) with a nationally representative sample of currently homeless adults to make comparisons among three groups of homeless women: mothers whose minor-aged children live with them (n=405), mothers whose minor-aged children live elsewhere (n=183), and women who never had children. Results: The three groups of women differ in many ways including: use of doubled-up accommodations (p<0.01); use of non-dwellings (e.g., abandoned buildings) (p>0.001); and days of literal homelessness (p<0.001). Conclusions: Homeless women who are unaccompanied by minor-aged children are not necessarily “single women.” Policies uninformed by this information are destined to exclude family-based services, thereby increasing the family destabilization that homelessness already promotes.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify differences in use of overnight situations and patterns of homelessness between three groups of homeless women.
• Describe a current gap in policy that contributes to reduced services for homeless women.
• Identify a common limitation in the sampling frames used to study on the homeless population, and its impact on study results and conclusions.

Keywords: Homelessness, Urban Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation