Youth Homelessness and Vulnerability: How Does Couch Surfing Fit?. Issue 1 (9th August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Curry, Susanna R.; Morton, Matthew; Matjasko, Jennifer L.; Dworsky, Amy; Samuels, Gina M.; Schlueter, David
• Is Part Of: American journal of community psychology. Volume 60:Issue 1/2(2017)
• Page Start: 17
• Page End: 24
• Publication Date: 2017-08-09
• Subjects: Youth development -- Homeless youth -- Runaway -- Doubled up -- Housing instability -- Adolescence; Community psychology -- Periodicals; Community mental health services -- Periodicals; Community psychiatry -- Periodicals; Community Mental Health Services -- Periodicals; Community Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 155.905
• DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12156
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0091-0562

Abstract

Highlights: We report results regarding youth couch surfing and homelessness from a national survey. Youth couch surfing is a common experience, although far more so for young adults than adolescents. There are notable differences between youth reporting homelessness versus only couch surfing. Couch surfing encompasses a range of experiences, some of which likely include need for services. Broader assessments of youths' housing situation beyond point‐in‐time snapshots should be used. Abstract: Youth homelessness is a problem characterized by high levels of vulnerability. The extent to which couch surfing — moving from one temporary housing arrangement to another — is part of youth homelessness is not well understood. Chapin Hall's Voices of Youth Count, a national research initiative, involves a multicomponent approach to studying youth homelessness. This study reports emerging findings regarding couch surfing and homelessness primarily from a national survey of 13, 113 adults with youth ages 13–25 in their households or who are themselves ages 18–25. Findings suggest that couch surfing is relatively common, particularly among the older age group. Among households with 13‐ to 17‐year‐olds and 18‐ to 25‐year‐olds, 4.0% and 20.5%, respectively, reported that any of them had couch surfed in the last 12 months. There are notable social, economic, and educational differences, on average, between youth reporting homelessness and those reporting only couch surfing. However, most youth who report experiencing homelessness also report couch surfing, and these youth who experience both circumstances present high levels of socioeconomic vulnerability. Couch surfing encompasses a range of experiences, some of which likely include need for services. Interviews currently in the field, and expanded analysis of data, will contribute more nuanced policy insights.