Navigating Life: Delaware Families Experiencing Homelessness with Young Children.

Abstract

Objective: This study explored the lived experience of Delaware families residing in homeless shelters and motels with young children. We focused on their daily experiences to gain understanding about their day-to-day living to foster understanding about optimal supports that can facilitate more permanent housing arrangements.

Methods: We used qualitative approaches to obtain descriptions about the daily lives of families experiencing homelessness with young children. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between November 2022 and February 2023. This study analyzes data from three families using open and thematic coding methods.

Results: Families experiencing homelessness with young children discussed their struggle to locate housing, attend to day-to-day tasks, and maintain and obtain employment. Having access to conveniently located affordable and available child care and reliable transportation were discussed across the themes.

Conclusions: Evidence building through gathering pertinent qualitative information is a critical step toward understanding the needs of families experiencing homeless. Findings from this study can inform state-level policy and state and non-profit agencies' practices.

Policy implications: Current policies that support family homelessness could be adjusted to better address connecting families to resources (e.g., direct connection to landlords), transportation (e.g., increasing allotted bus passes, providing a "free" monthly bus pass), and child care (e.g., co-located care - shelter plus child care, funding enrollment slots left "open" specifically for families experiencing homelessness).