Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness: A Look at Selected Program Components Provided in Transitional Housing Programs

Research indicates that young single mothers are the fast-est growing segment of the homeless population. Tran-sitional shelters, housing that provides support services and offers a longer term stay than emergency shelters, are often utilized by these mothers. The current research investigates the relationship between transitional housing services and self-suffi ciency among young single mothers participating in these programs. Results from a question-naire addressing program elements and outcomes distrib-uted to directors of transitional housing programs in fi ve southeastern states are presented. Discussion of fi ndings includes descriptive analysis of selected educational, counseling, and case management components provided by transitional housing programs. Single mothers are the fastest growing segment of the homeless popu-lation (Lindsay, 1998; National Coalition for the Homeless [NCH], 2001; Winship, 2001). Many of these homeless single mothers lack the education and skills necessary to become self-suffi cient (Flohr, 1998). The signifi-cance of this problem is that a continuous cycle of homelessness may con-tinue through generations if it is not ended through the mothers ̓attainment of the education and skills required to maintain self-suffi ciency in the com-munity. Services that can potentially lead to homeless young single mothers be-coming self-suffi cient and maintaining long-term self-suffi ciency include education/vocational training, life skills training, counseling, and case man