Typologies of stably housed youth who experienced independent homelessness

Abstract

Experiencing homelessness as an adolescent has significant effects on a person’s life course outcomes. This includes lower grades and graduation rates, as well as, serving as a barrier to the creation of healthy social networks and stable employment. Previous research focuses on homelessness and the experience youth have on the street. The current research examines the process of exiting homelessness and reconnecting with social institutions. Using the National Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), we run hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) to propose a typology of youth exiting homelessness. We build on previous work by establishing a fourth category to the typology of youth exiting homelessness, which we call “tenuously stable”. Additionally, we find that risky behavior, substance use, and childhood trauma are important factors in determining youth’s successful exits. Overall, our findings support the importance of wrap-around services that empower youth, as well as focus on education and employment.