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. 2013 Dec;103 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S318-23.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301455. Epub 2013 Oct 22.

Homelessness during the transition from foster care to adulthood

Amy Dworsky  1 , Laura Napolitano, Mark Courtney
Affiliations

Homelessness during the transition from foster care to adulthood

Amy Dworsky et al. Am J Public Health. 2013 Dec.

Abstract

Objectives: We estimated the incidence of homelessness during the transition to adulthood and identified the risk and protective factors that predict homelessness during this transition.

Methods: Using data from the Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth, a longitudinal study of youths aging out of foster care in 3 Midwestern states, and a bounds approach, we estimated the cumulative percentage of youths who become homeless during the transition to adulthood. We also estimated a discrete time hazard model that predicted first reported episode of homelessness.

Results: Youths aging out of foster care are at high risk for becoming homeless during the transition to adulthood. Between 31% and 46% of our study participants had been homeless at least once by age 26 years. Running away while in foster care, greater placement instability, being male, having a history of physical abuse, engaging in more delinquent behaviors, and having symptoms of a mental health disorder were associated with an increase in the relative risk of becoming homeless.

Conclusions: Policy and practice changes are needed to reduce the risk that youths in foster care will become homeless after aging out.

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Figures

FIGURE 1—
FIGURE 1—
Cumulative percentage ever homeless: Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth; Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois; 2002–2011.
FIGURE 2—
FIGURE 2—
Probability of becoming homeless for the first time if not previously homeless: Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth; Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois; 2002–2011.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Dworsky A, Dillman K, Dion R, Coffee-Borden B, Rosenau M. Housing for youth aging out of foster care: a review of the literature and program typology. 2012 Available at: http://www.huduser.org/portal/publications/interim/hsg_fter_care.html. Accessed June 1, 2012.
    1. Brown S, Wilderson D. Homelessness prevention for former foster youth: utilization of transitional housing programs. Child Youth Serv Rev. 2010;32(10):1464–1472.
    1. Osgood DW, Foster EM, Courtney ME. Vulnerable populations and the transition to adulthood. Future Child. 2010;20(1):209–229. - PubMed
    1. Dworsky A, Courtney ME. Assessing the impact of extending care beyond age 18 on homelessness: emerging findings from the Midwest Study. 2010 Available at: http://www.chapinhall.org/sites/default/files/publications/Midwest_IB2_H.... Accessed June 30, 2012.
    1. Fowler PJ, Toro PA, Miles BW. Pathways to and from homelessness and associated psychosocial outcomes among adolescents leaving the foster care system. Am J Public Health. 2009;99(8):1453–1458. - PMC - PubMed

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