THE SIGNIFICANCE OF RELOCATION FOR CHRONICALLY POOR FAMILIES IN THE USA

This paper considers the difficulties facing the many low income house holds who are constantly moving - for instance because of eviction or as they search for better conditions - and the factors influencing the ir decision to move. After reviewing the literature on relocation, thi s paper describes the experiences of one low income family living in a small town in the United States who have moved 24 times since the bir th of their nine year old daughter The low paying poor quality jobs th ey find do not encourage them to stay in one location and the family i ncome is never sufficient to pay for decent housing. Moving becomes an escape from unsatisfactory conditions and a hope of better conditions in the new location. But it also means constant disruption for the ch ildren as they change school and lose friends, great difficulties for the whole family in maintaining social relations and the obvious diffi culties in constantly re-registering with new authorities for health c are and schools. The paper ends by considering the role of inadequate housing in supporting this cycle of constant relocation and suggesting that if low income groups could find decent housing, it would help br eak this cycle and the heavy costs it imposes on all family members.