“Please Ask Me How I Am”: Experiences of Family Homelessness in the Context of Single Mothers’ Lives

Abstract

An increasing number of studies in recent years have examined the issue of family homelessness. The majority of this research has taken a quantitative approach, focusing primarily upon the demographics and characteristics of homeless mothers and children and the conditions of shelterfacilities. The goal of this study was to examine the experience of family homelessnessfrom an alternative perspective through interviews withformerly homeless mothers about their lives before and after leaving the shelter system. In-depth interviews with 24 formerly homeless single mothers in New York City were conducted and subsequently analyzed employing a qualitative-narrative approach. Major themes that emergedfrom the women’s life stories are elucidated: poverty, neglect, abuse, troubled interpersonal relationships, and mental health concerns. Surprisingly, a majority of women spoke of their experience in the shelter system in positive terms. This and other findings are discussed in the context of the women’s life experiences and support services provided by the New York City shelter system. Social policy issues and recommendations for future research and program development are presented.