Housing Interventions and the Chronic and Acute Risks of Family Homelessness: Experimental Evidence for Education. Issue 5 (21st February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cutuli, J. J.; Herbers, Janette E.
• Is Part Of: Child development. Volume 90:Issue 5(2019)
• Page Start: 1664
• Page End: 1683
• Publication Date: 2018-02-21
• Subjects: Child development -- Periodicals; Child psychology -- Periodicals; Child Development -- Periodicals; Child Development; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Pedicatrics; 305.231
• DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13041
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-3920

Abstract

Abstract : This study considers risk associated with family homelessness for school functioning and experimental evidence on the effects of different housing interventions over time. Students in homeless families ( N = 172; M age = 7.31; SD = 4.15) were randomized to housing interventions that focus on acute risks (community‐based rapid rehousing), chronic risks (permanent subsidy), or usual care (UC). A matched group of low‐income, housed students served as an additional reference for effects on attendance, school mobility, and reading and math achievement across 4 years. Findings partially support the chronic‐risk hypothesis that family homelessness interferes with achievement through its relation to deep poverty. Children randomly assigned to UC perform as well or better than children assigned to housing interventions in this municipality.