An Exploration of the Factors contributing to Self-Sufficiency Post-Homelessness: A Detailed Look at Commonalities and Barriers

Housing First approaches such as Rapid Re-Housing allow those experiencing homelessness to obtain shelter and support efficiently, perhaps completing steps towards making the experience of homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. This study aimed to determine the most challenging factors of self-sufficiency post-homelessness, in an attempt to provide better services in an agency offering Rapid Re-Housing services in Texas. This exploratory and descriptive study used the agency data for a sample of ten individuals who had previously experienced homelessness and had been enrolled in this program when the data was collected. The factor of self-sufficiency post-homelessness was measured using the Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool and was divided into five themes or categories: Trauma, Substance Use, Behavioral, Health and Wellness, and Social Support. Although findings suggest that no factors were statistically significant, which may be due to the low sample size, the behavioral category had the highest association with self-sufficiency. The percentage of rent paid by the participants increased since their participation in the program. In addition, the vulnerability index showed this group of clients also improved. The Rapid Re-Housing program appears to somewhat accomplish its goals related to self-sufficiency. Further research is necessary in order to gather a larger sample size and determine more definitive answers regarding the effects of a Rapid Re-Housing program and the factors that make obtaining complete self-sufficiency more challenging