Neighborhood Satisfaction and Mobility Patterns Among the Currently and Formerly Homeless: A Study of Chicago's Residential Homelessness System

Author: Julie Hilvers

Dissertation School: Loyola University Chicago

Abstract:

Eradicating homelessness and housing those currently or at risk of becoming homeless is a policy priority shared broadly in the United States by entities including HUD and the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Ten-year plans to End Homelessness have been established in more than 300 municipalities throughout the United States, including a plan in the city of Chicago that was initiated in 2003. The Chicago Plan, as well as the others, adheres to a Housing First approach to end homelessness, and represents a shift in the city's homelessness system from a shelter-based to a housing-based model.

A comprehensive evaluation of the Chicago Plan was initiated in 2007. As part of the Chicago Plan, a longitudinal client survey with a representative sample of clients of Chicago's residential homeless system was conducted. The survey was developed through a two-stage stratified random sample of clients residing in overnight, interim, and permanent programs. Both family heads and single adults were interviewed face-to-face three times throughout the course of a year between 2009 and 2011.

My dissertation research is a secondary data analysis of this longitudinal survey data. In particular, my proposed study will examine the impact of neighborhood factors. Specifically, I will explore the relationship between neighborhood-related factors-physical quality, sense of safety, access to family and friends, overall satisfaction-to housing stability and mobility.

My study will examine three sets of dependent variables related to mobility. Like previous studies that examine multiple measures of mobility, my dissertation will explore actual mobility, mobility plans, and mobility desires. I will examine three sets of independent variables that capture subjective neighborhood-related information to predict mobility patterns among survey participants. A series of controls will be used as well to examine whether there is any variation in mobility patterns based on respondent characteristics. A series of logistical regression equations will be utilized to assess mobility outcomes.

This research direction was informed by discussions with housing practitioners in Chicago, a literature review, and past research I have conducted-all of which suggest a relationship between neighborhood-related factors and mobility and housing stability outcomes among this population. This study fits into a line of research examining factors affecting mobility patterns among urban populations. Focusing on former/current residents of Chicago's residential system, this study fills a gap in the literature discussed by researchers who argue that further research is needed to examine the impact of neighborhood factors shaping decisions to stay or depart from permanent supportive housing.

If results from this study show that neighborhood characteristics predict residential mobility outcomes, it will suggest that neighborhood is another factor among this population. Further, this study is congruent with the following HUD policy sub-goals: 2A: "End homelessness and substantially reduce the number of families and individuals with severe housing needs" and 3D: "Utilize HUD assistance to improve housing stability through supportive services for vulnerable populations, including the elderly, people with disabilities, homeless people, and those individuals and families at risk of becoming homeless." Specifically, my proposed study will provide information to document how individuals housed in the residential homeless system make decisions about their housing, and in particular, how neighborhood factors impact housing stability for the currently or formerly homeless populations.

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