Overview:
This project will provide context and additional information to understand the factors influencing/determining the most commonly observed pathways from homelessness to housing identified in prior studies. In alignment with our commitment to advancing racial equity, this project will prioritize racial, ethnic and cultural communities who are overrepresented among people experiencing homelessness and underrepresented among persons receiving homelessness services/obtaining stable housing. This project is coproduced with a committee of people who have lived experience of homelessness. The TREES committee is involved in all aspects of the study design as research partners and collaborators.
Within this research area, Multnomah County Homeless Services Department staff and leadership have identified the following topics and questions as high priority and of special relevance to policy and programming development:
1. What goals do people have relating to housing and shelter?
2. What supports/impedes people in working towards those housing and shelter goals?
3. What supports people while they are living on the street?
4. How do socio-demographic factors influence or change people’s needs, priorities, and goals (i.e., responses to previous questions)?
5. What do pathways through homelessness look like?
The project will consist of 2 phases and employs a mixed methods research approach. Conducted in Year 1, the first phase involves quantitative surveys and qualitative focus groups to answer questions 1 and 2 above. The intention is to gather feedback from a diverse, broad sample of people experiencing homelessness. Phase 2 builds on this work to explore questions 2 and 3 (above) in more detail using in-depth narratives, journey mapping, and community workshops. Working with people who have lived experience of homelessness is central to providing input to and guidance for the project. People with lived experience will be involved in providing feedback and input in both phases.