More than Just a Roof: Solutions to Better Support Families from Homelessness to Healing

Athina Spiropoulos (), Patricia Desjardine, Jocelyn Adamo, Rukhsaar Daya, Lisa Zaretsky and Katrina Milaney
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Athina Spiropoulos: Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Patricia Desjardine: Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Community Health Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Jocelyn Adamo: Family and Youth Sector Calgary, Calgary, AB T2E 8Y3, Canada
Rukhsaar Daya: Office of Communications and Community Engagement, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Lisa Zaretsky: Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Katrina Milaney: Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Community Health Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada

Societies, 2025, vol. 15, issue 4, 1-18

Abstract: Homelessness for families in Alberta, Canada, is a growing concern despite an abundance of research and continued support for Housing First programs, and the consequences can be severe. This study used a descriptive qualitative design to examine the experiences of families currently living in or that have a history of homelessness with the goal of developing recommendations to improve system coordination. Participants included parents who had at least one dependent child while homeless ( n = 15) and staff who were currently working at a homeless support service ( n = 18). Interviews were analyzed using a thematic inductive approach and integrated using functional narrative analysis. Four themes emerged: (1) Housing as a Foundation for Success in Other Domains; (2) Challenges with System Navigation: A Door Within a Door Within a Door; (3) Services’ Contributions to Trauma; and (4) Exposure to Social Bias and Stigma Within Services. We posit several recommendations for policy and service delivery which focus on finding “homes” and building community connections, enhancing Housing First program models, expanding on existing trauma-informed approaches, and prioritizing system-level change.

Keywords: homelessness; families; system navigation; housing first approaches (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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