Deborah Keys

“Are we moving again this week?” Children's experiences of homelessness in Victoria, Australia

This research aimed to gain insight into the homelessness experience of children accommodated in transitional support services in an urban setting in Australia. It joins a limited international literature. Interviews incorporating interactive activities were conducted with 20 children aged 6-12 from diverse ethnicities and cultural backgrounds, most of whom were living in supported accommodation. Twelve parents/guardians were also interviewed. Children had experienced between 3 and 11 changes of residence, including hotels or motels, refuges, sleeping rough or in cars, rooming or boarding houses, and caravan parks. It was evident that homelessness adversely affected childrens sense of security, mood, behaviour, physical health, education, and overall experience of childhood. As families moved from one temporary accommodation to the next, they often lost touch with the extended family and their friends, became disconnected from any sense of community, and did without familiar possessions, treasures, toys, and pets. Experiencing chaotic sequences of accommodation could leave children feeling confused, insecure, sad, and angry. It could make children feel responsible for their discouraged and unwell parents and their younger siblings. Homelessness made many children expect instability as a way of life. Children continued to be affected by problems that preceded or precipitated homelessness, such as family violence, broken relationships, and parents grappling with drug and alcohol dependence. The overwhelming conclusion to be drawn from this research is that children affected by homelessness need security, stability, and the chance to become and remain part of a community.

Giving Up on Drugs: Homeless Young People and Self-Reported Problematic Drug Use

Numerous studies have revealed high levels of drug-taking among young people experiencing homelessness. This article draws upon 40 in-depth interviews carried out as part of a five-year longitudinal study of homeless young people (Project i). It is noteworthy that almost all of those who identified their drug use as problematic gave up or reduced their level of use without treatment or professional assistance during the period of the study. The interviews provided insight into the way in which some young people experiencing homelessness view their drug use and the actions they take in light of these understandings. Here we report their stated reasons for giving up or reducing usage and identify some commonalities that may have impacted on the outcomes.

‘I just wanted somewhere safe’: Women who are homeless with their children

Families are the fastest growing segment of homeless populations in resource-rich countries; most are female-headed. We report on women’s experiences of being homeless with their children in Victoria, Australia, emphasising their mental health. Twelve women (who between them had daily responsibility for 31 children) were interviewed, revealing complex pathways into homelessness; the two main contributors were economic decline and domestic violence, with drug use and poor mental health making lesser contributions. Homelessness appeared to have adverse effects on women’s wellbeing, mental health and ontological security. There was evidence of structural barriers to good mental health being inherent in the system designed to support them, with no provision for prevention or early intervention, and limited capacity for providing residential stability. Women wanted to live somewhere that was stable, secure and safe, for themselves and their children.