Homelessness and Underhousing Appalachia

Homelessness is frequently conceptualized as an urban issue, despite data that suggests many of the issues associated with homelessness are prevalent in Appalachia. These issues include poverty, transportation concerns, unemployment, and high school graduation rates, as well as many others. Homelessness in rural areas is gaining awareness, however data suggests there is not enough resources in these small communities to meet the needs of their homeless. This, in many instances, leads to the community’s homeless finding refuge in temporary living situations that disqualify them from homelessness status yet are inadequate in nature, such as temporary shelter with family or friends, the occupation of abandoned structures, or living without electricity and running water. This phenomenon has been referred to as “under-housing”, a term designated to represent those whose immediate shelter needs are met, however only temporarily and/or not fully. People who are homeless and living in rural areas are 2-4xs more likely to be living in temporary private housing and less likely to be living in places unintended for human habitation (Burt, 1999). Though there is some overlap in homelessness issues between rural and urban individuals, there are also distinct differences and this project will focus on identifying the elements that are distinct to the rural homeless and under-housed