The Complexity of Navigating Homelessness As a Young Adult In New York City: A Landscape Analysis

Introduction: One in ten young adults (YA) across the United States experiences housing instability (Morton et al, 2018). But, housing and associated housing instability is highly context dependent (Desmond et al., 2015), necessitating solutions that can be tailored to specific geographical contexts. Landscape analysis is a method for bringing multiple sources of data together to comprehensively understand a problem and lay the groundwork for developing contextually relevant solutions (García et al., 2020). This study utilized a landscape analysis to understand resources available for YA experiencing housing instability in New York City (NYC) incorporating the perspectives and experiences of those that have navigated the system. We sought to employ rigorous research to understand the landscape of resources available and identify barriers and facilitators to accessing them specifically to inform intervention development.

Methods: We conducted key informant interviews with service providers (n=7) and young adult leaders with experiences of navigating the housing system (n=5) using a semi-structured interview guide over Zoom. Three coders used an inductive thematic approach (Braun & Clarke, 2006) to code interviews. Content analysis of web-based resources was also conducted using a set of key search terms paired with specific searches using terms identified by key informants during interviews. To integrate the data, we utilized a process mapping approach, visually depicting the process and associated qualitative codes and excerpts from content analysis.

Results: Data revealed an environment that has extensive resources, yet complex and bureaucratic processes, with many programs with different routes for access. In process mapping, system issues such as a lack of affordable housing, aging out of foster care, and challenges with landlords, as well as individual challenges such as family issues, recent migration from other countries, and intimate partner violence contributed to homelessness. Connections to resources were made through multiple routes, such as calling 911/311, drop-in centers, school programs, and shelters. Navigation was critical to accessing housing resources such as vouchers, supported housing, rapid rehousing, and transitional living. Participants described complicated eligibility criteria that included age, income, foster care experience, and mental disorder diagnoses. Case managers were key to supporting and advocating for youth, but the quality of support varied. Advocacy and the role of peer navigators was transformative (i.e. “If I didn't actually get into advocacy, I still would be homeless today”). Successful exits into permanent housing were generally dependent on acquiring a voucher or subsidized/rent-stabilized housing paired with financial stability through employment or benefits.

Discussion: Our analysis highlights the importance of community context when understanding YA housing needs. Interventions developed to support YA nationally need to include flexibility and an adaptation phase to address the housing conditions specific to each community. In NYC, where market rate rents were out of reach for most YA, we found an abundance of supportive resources but highly bureaucratic processes and low coordination among them. This highlights the need for system-level interventions to better coordinate these resources paired with individual-level navigation supports, such as youth peer navigators, to assist YA in successfully accessing them.