Housing distress among high school students

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Public Health
• Education

Background:

• The term "homelessness" inadequately captures the spectrum of housing instability experienced by adolescents.
• Teenagers often seek alternative living arrangements due to a lack of belonging, leading to housing distress.
• Housing distress significantly impedes academic achievement in high school students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prevalence of housing distress among high school-aged youths.
• To advocate for the use of "housing distress" as a more inclusive term for adolescent housing instability.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to 3,676 high school-aged teenagers across nine communities in New Hampshire and Maine.
• The survey assessed experiences of homelessness and housing situations placing youth at risk.

Main Results:

• 5-10% of surveyed teenagers reported experiencing homelessness within the past year.
• Up to 20% of students reported living in precarious housing situations, indicating risk of homelessness.

Conclusions:

• "Housing distress" is a more comprehensive term encompassing both homelessness and at-risk situations for adolescents.
• Understanding and addressing housing distress is crucial for supporting student academic success.