‘It’s Home for now’: Sense of Home Among Emerging Adults in Permanent Supportive Housing Through the Lens of Ontological Security Theory

Abstract

Not often implemented with emerging adults (18 – 25 years), permanent supportive housing (PSH) is an intervention which aims to support transitions from chronic housing insecurity. Ontological security theory (OST) -- a sense of being whole and alive on a continuous spectrum – serves as a lens to understand this transition. Through longitudinal surveys using semi-structured interview questions, emerging adults living in PSH ( N = 28) in western Colorado described their relationship to the concept of ‘home’ through an OST lens. We found that time in one place as well as emerging adults being able to ponder ‘what’s next’ served as key elements to defining home as well as trust in other residents and staff, consistent policies, a positive sense of safety, and control also impacted residents’ experiences. These findings offer insight into how PSH service providers may support residents and promote OST during unique developmental phases of emerging adulthood.