Custodial Mothers, Welfare Reform, and the New Homeless: a Case Study of Homeless Families in Three Lowell Shelters
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Description:
An examination of how homelessness affects family well-being notes that housing has not been a focal point of reform, even though housing instability hinders "self-reliance." Data were obtained from in-depth interviews with 14 women living in homeless shelters in Lowell, MA. All but one had children under age 6, 64% had some work experience, & most had received welfare. They were homeless because they were poor & lacked the family or community resources that would allow them to both work & take care of their families. Roughly half of the women had been evicted for nonpayment of rent of an amount that represented 50+% of their total incomes. Issues addressed include the impact of domestic violence on women's homelessness; the importance of education/work experience; & day care dilemmas. The women's stories shed light on the difficulties faced by low-wage workers, the complexities of homelessness, & barriers to change. Policy implications are discussed. 1 Table, 50 References. J. Lindroth
Type of Resource:
Book
Publication Date:
2002
Location:
New York