Grassroots Community Based Programs for Homeless Adults: A Qualitative Examination

Background and Significance: Homelessness, as described by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is an increasing problem in the United States. According to the NYC Coalition for the Homeless, over 61,000 individuals slept in municipal shelters in August, 2017. This presentation will focus on the qualitative findings from a multi-stage, multi-site evaluation of community-based life skills empowerment programs for homeless adults in the NYC area. These programs grew out of a grassroots social movement to help homeless individuals advocate for themselves and uses a combination of professional staff and community volunteers. The adults served by the programs are in the general homeless population or are homeless due to domestic violence, post-incarceration, or are returning veterans. Methods: Developmental evaluation and complexity theory guided this 7-year funded evaluation project (Patton, 2011). Quantitative and qualitative methods were used over a 7-year period to evaluate these programs. The sample of the qualitative component of the study includes 250 program participants (89% of whom identified as minority or persons of color) and 15 staff members whose interviews and focus groups took place over a 4-year period. Transcripts from interviews and focus groups, and notes taken by interviewers (PIs and doctoral research assistants) were compiled to form the qualitative database used for the analysis. Data was analyzed using content analysis and hierarchies of themes were developed (Miles & Huberman, 1994; Patton, 2001). Findings: Analyses revealed the following themes: (1) programs were anchored in faith based community groups and congregations which led to organic social support networks that reconnected individuals who were otherwise disconnected from society, (2) participants developed a community with mentors and peers that allowed for better coping and reductions in trauma despite the isolation common to homelessness, (3) sharing life stories led to positive life changes for participants, staff, and volunteers, (4) participant challenges in gaining employment and access to educational programs due to homelessness stigma were mitigated by the community connections developed through the program, and (5) the social justice component combined with the public story sharing led to feelings of empowerment among participants. Implications: These findings have implications for prevention scientists examining interventions that connect with policy and advocacy efforts. Discussion will focus on the intersection between local, state, and federal policies and the ways that interventions for homeless adults can include participants in advocacy, leading to improved engagement in the community and society.