This study analyzed factors that influence how long families stay in homeless shelters. It found that families who stay longer tend to have more children, receive housing subsidies, and screen positive for alcohol or drug use. Those who leave shelters sooner are more likely to have another adult in the household or less housing debt. The findings suggest shelters can become long-term housing when families wait for subsidies, and some families may need more support for substance use before moving on. The implications are that systems should focus on rapid rehousing, limiting shelter stays, and providing targeted services to help families transition successfully.

1. Exiting Shelter: An Epidemiological Analysis of Barriers and Facilitators for Families Debra J. Rog, PhD Westat Annual Meeting of the National Alliance to End Homelessness July 14, 2011 This research was possible with funding from University of Massachusetts Medical School’s Commonwealth Medicine Division.

5. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

10. DESCRIPTIVE FINDINGS

11. Profile of Head of Household (n = 138) Average Age 30 yrs Married 13% Race/Ethnicity: White 33% African-American 23% Hispanic 42% Other 8% HS/GED or > 70% Employed prior to shelter entry 17% Prior Homelessness 58%

12. Family Composition (n = 138) Average # of Children ≤ 17 2.1 Families with ≥ 1 Other Adult 29% Currently Pregnant 7% Families with 1 or more children away 34%

13. Housing History (n = 138) Last Place Stayed Prior to Entering Shelter Doubled Up 54% Parent’s Place 18% Own Place 19% Homeless 6% Other 2% Last place stayed was in Worcester 59% Conflicts made it impossible to stay 49%

14. Employment Status at Exit (n = 138) Currently working 25% Hourly wages $9.86 per hour Employed full-time 93% Job lined up 7% Looking for work 32% Unable to work 38% Health Problems 32% Mental Disability 30% Other Reason 45% * These categories are not mutually exclusive.

15. Employment Services (self-reported)

16. Most Common Sources of Income In past 30 days: (n = 138) TANF/GA (state/county) 67% Employment 25% Child support 13% Family/spouse contribution 13% SSDI/SSI 16% SSDI/SSI – Child 8% Average Total Income $ 750 ($559)

17. Debt Upon Exit (n =138) % with 1 or more sources of debt upon exit 78% Average total amount owed (standard dev.) $3,953 ($5,072) % decreased debt 30% % increased debt 26% % debt same 44% Debt made it difficult to leave shelter 35%

18. Debt Services (self-reported)

19. Service Receipt, by Independent Measures of Need (n = 138) Of those in need: Needed It Received it Unmet Need Services Received in Shelter Mental health services 40%* 56% 44% Substance abuse services 42%** 12% 88% Trauma services *1 or more MH indicators **positive screen for A and/or D *** moderate/severe trauma symptoms 32%*** 48% 52%

20. Exit Locations *p < .05; ***p < .001 (n = 138) Avg. Time in Shelter Own apartment/house with a subsidy 35% 241 days* Own apartment/house without a subsidy 18% 170 days Doubled up 11% 82 days*** Transitional housing 33% 175 days Other arrangement (e.g., substance abuse treatment/mental health facility ) 4% 154 days Total Sample 208 days

25. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS