A HOUSING MANAGEMENT SKILLS PROGRAM FOR
A HOUSING MANAGEMENT SKILLS PROGRAM FOR
YOUNG PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
By : Amber Reynolds , OTDS-II , Mary Vestal , OTDS-II , Emily K . Simpson , PhD , OTR / L
As of January 2024 , there were 18,836 people experiencing homelessness ( PEH ) in the city of Chicago ( Chicago Family and Support Services , 2024 ), 51 % of whom were unaccompanied youth under the age of 18 . This represents a dramatic increase from 2023 , when 6,139 people reported experiencing homelessness ( Chicago Family and Support Services , 2024 ). Several factors have contributed to this large increase , including an influx of migrants from the southern border ( 35 % of youths are new arrivals into the city as migrants ), a lack of affordable housing nationally , limited housing assistance programs , funding cuts for community-based care , lack of employment opportunities , and a decline in available public assistance ( Powell , 2024 ). All of these factors have created a strain on the systems serving PEH . In addition to managing and distributing federal and state resources , community-based services are agencies or nonprofit organizations that assist with finding resources , support and network building and can assist with the ability to gain long-term housing stability ( Wagner , 2022 ). Additionally , community programs often provide life skills , case management , mentorship , and more intensive individualized support ( Wagner , 2022 ).
Young people experiencing homelessness ( YPEH ) have complex and diverse needs and occupational therapy practitioners ( OTPs ) can bring a unique lens that can address the supports and barriers to occupational engagement . There are multiple occupational needs for YPEH including engaging in meaningful occupations , social support and personal relationships , routine management , and motivation to participate in daily occupations ( Simpson et al ., 2019 ). The inability to meet these needs impacts aspects of both physical and mental health . ( Simpson et al ., 2019 ).
YPEH have difficulty viewing their housing situations as temporary and something they can escape . This mindset impacts their views on the future related to their self-efficacy , motivation and readiness to make change , and connection with other people ( Simpson et . al ., 2019 ). YPEH additionally experience difficulty with housing management skills , which is impacted by limited opportunities to develop roles and practice the occupations of adulthood . OTPs have a role in providing services to YPEH , including developing routines to support occupational engagement , promoting the active use of resources , and providing diverse , experiential opportunities to practice independent living skills ( American Journal of Occupational Therapy , 2020 ; Simpson et al ., 2019 ). Life skills give YPEH the confidence and ability to deal with everyday challenges that they may face including but not limited to money management , job training , employment , daily living skills , obtaining long-term housing , personal and social development , legal rights and responsibilities , education and training , and health and wellbeing ( Homeless Hub , 2015 ).
The Night Ministry
Occupational therapy faculty and students ( OT team ) at Midwestern University consulted with The Night Ministry , a community-based not-for-profit program in Chicago that provides housing support , health care , and social connections for people experiencing homelessness . Their youth programs include interim housing for youth ages 14 through 21 , a parenting program which offers young mothers and their children stable housing for up to 2 years , and an emergency overnight shelter for youth ages 18 through 24 . All of these programs offer case management , housing support , health services and education , and resources related to independent living .
Following an initial consultation with The Night Ministry , the OT team identified several housing related needs , including development of practical skills for independence to obtain housing , navigation of supports and barriers , increasing confidence in the ability to maintain housing , and working on community integration and accessing resources . Because the YPEH in the interim and parenting programs were most likely to immediately benefit from these services , the OT team developed a program that focused on meeting their unique needs .
Development of OT Program
The group-based OT program was designed to address the lack of life skills related to obtaining , managing , and maintaining housing ( See Table 1 for an outline of each session ’ s focus areas and topics ). Participants had the opportunity to learn and practice skills within a supportive group environment . The program was developed according to The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration ’ s ( 2023 ) practical approach to trauma-informed care . The framework was additionally guided by the Casey Life Skills Program ( Casey Family Programs , 2021 )
23 Illinois Occupational Therapy Association | 2024 ISSUE 3 / 4