Longitudinal Research into and With Former Homeless Persons
Recurring homelessness points towards major problems in stable rehousing and reintegration. In fact, it has been shown that approximately 50 percent of night shelter and emergency accommodation residents have resided there before. In Utrecht, the Netherlands, the University of Amsterdam, municipality, and NGOs have joined forces to address this issue by formulating additional work methodologies and following homeless people’s journey.
For five years (2019-2024) we yearly follow the journeys of 69 participants yearly. At baseline (T0), twenty interviews are held with participants who have a history of recurrent homelessness (episodic homelessness). Those interviews are retrospective in nature, trying to identify the factors that have led those participants to lose their house again. The other forty interviews are conducted with participants who reside in social relief or protected housing and are expected to transition to independent housing within the next eight months. Here, interviews are prospective in nature, as partiicpants discuss personal expectations about the transition, experiences with care, financial measures, and the social network. The aim is to explore the quality of current support services preparing people for independent housing.
The research is conducted by academic researchers in close collaboration with qualified experts by experience (peer researchers, read more about this peer-to-peer method here). Together they validate topic lists and conduct interviews. In doing so, extensive information is gathered with regards to the lived experiences of service users by asking questions ‘from the inside’. This method enables us to better understand the causes of recurring homelessness, as well as better understand what is needed for successful transitions to independent housing. Yearly, our results are also used to improve the municipal and NGO policy instruments and methodologies, enhance server user experiences, prevent individuals from experiencing long or repeated episodes of homelessness, and contribute to developing stable housing options. This innovative research method provides important insights for other researchers to replicate.
Interested?
Reports about the yearly measures and outcomes are written in Dutch. Interested in information about academic output on this topic? Please email Dr. Nienke Boesveldt: n.f.boesveldt@uva.nl
English pressrelease on the final report (8th of January 2024)
How do we prevent repeat homelessness?
Preventing repeat homelessness is high on the agenda in many cities. In Utrecht, an approach was developed in 2019 that intervenes in several areas of life to try and get a grip on the problem. UvA Sociologist Dr Nienke Boesveldt and her team of researchers and experts examined the effectiveness of the approach. From 2019 to 2023, the team followed the life trajectories of 69 (former) homeless people in the Utrecht region and identified various risk factors and possible protective measures. Their final report is published today.
The numbers
More than two-thirds of the participants in the study had moved into independent housing by the end of 2023, whereas almost a third had followed alternative and less stable routes: 20% were caught in a cycle of repeated homelessness, 7% were in long-term care facilities, sheltered housing or a clinic. Of the 69 participants, five died at a relatively young age after a history of long-term (repeated) homelessness, which often involved sleeping outside. ‘This underlines the previously known positive effect of immediately offering permanent independent housing, with appropriate guidance, for preventing repeated homelessness,’ says Boesveldt.
Successful transition
Risk factors hindering a successful transition to an independent home are mainly related to: failure to properly anticipate future requests for assistance; lack of clarity in the regional municipalities to which people are moving out; and changes such as new responsibilities or supervisors. Protective factors include a focus on daily routines, (guidance in) keeping finances in order, and efforts to build a good and solid social network. ‘In the long term, rental contract continuity and a proactive and long-term approach to care, guidance and welfare work – and the bond of trust that can engender – are crucial,’ the researchers say.
Impact of negative childhood experiences
Repeatedly homeless respondents in particular frequently mention traumatic events from their early childhood. ‘Negative childhood experiences, such as physical abuse, are a clear risk factor for repeat homelessness. This often goes hand in hand with hard drug use, PTSD and a weak social network,’ says Boesveldt. Moreover, there appears to be a clear link between addiction and crime: ‘When addiction increases, crime also increases, and vice versa.’
Stigmatised social identity
Escaping homelessness isn’t just about finding housing. Respondents also had to learn to deal with an often stigmatised social identity. For example, participants often report feeling dismissed as ‘human waste’. Rediscovering personal meaning and self-esteem proves challenging. ‘To recover from homelessness, people need a different identity than just ‘being homeless’,’ says Boesveldt. This also plays a role in how help is experienced and given. For example, respondents indicated that they were seen ‘as people who cannot do anything themselves’ and for whom everything has to be done. ‘This can lead to resistance to help in order to maintain one’s own dignity.’
According to the researchers, successful ‘role exits’ can be facilitated by, for example, offering the opportunity for building new social relationships outside the homeless network. For example by housing them with people from different backgrounds. In addition, healthcare professionals can make the status of ‘homelessness’ less central in their contact with their clients and place more emphasis on other identities such as being a parent.
- Download the report Prevening Repeat Homelessness Utrecht (in Dutch)
he research was carried out on behalf of the Municipality of Utrecht, the Salvation Army, the Tussenvoorziening, Lister, Kwintes & Buurtteams Utrecht. It is the fifth and final report in a series of five research measurements that took place from 2019 to 2023. For previous reports (in Dutch), see: Regio Utrecht (Voorkomen Herhaaldelijke Dakloosheid) – nienkeboesveldt.com