PREDICTORS OF HOMELESSNESS AMONG FAMILIES IN NEW-YORK-CITY - FROM SHELTER REQUEST TO HOUSING STABILITY

Objectives. This study examined predictors of entry into shelter and s ubsequent housing stability for a cohort of families receiving public assistance in New York City. Methods. Interviews were conducted with 2 66 families as they requested shelter and with a comparison sample of 298 families selected at random from the welfare caseload. Respondents were reinterviewed 5 years later. Families with prior history of shel ter use were excluded from the follow-up study. Results. Demographic c haracteristics and housing conditions were the most important risk fac tors for shelter entry; enduring poverty and disruptive social experie nces also contributed. Five years later, four fifths of sheltered fami lies had their own apartment. Receipt of subsidized housing was the pr imary predictor of housing stability among formerly homeless families (odds ratio [OR]=20.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 9.9, 42.9). Conc lusions. Housing subsidies are critical to ending homelessness among f amilies.