Housing Insecurities and Homelessness Among Children and Unaccompanied Youth in Rural Appalachian Communities

Introduction

The Appalachian region consists of over 205,000 square miles and is home to approximately twenty-five million people (Appalachian Regional Commission, 2019a). It extends all of West Virginia, and includes parts of Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia (Appalachian Regional Commission, 2019a). Due, in part, to a history of isolation and a variety of historical and political influences, educational, employment and income trends within this region are statistically lower than other areas of the country. These disparities are especially notable in more rural parts of Appalachia, leaving many of its residents living well below the poverty line (Appalachian Regional Commission, 2019b).The ongoing substance abuse epidemic observed within Appalachian communities further exacerbates the social inequities observed between this portion of the country and other areas (Jonas, Young, Oser, Luekfeld, & Havens, 2012; Keyes, Cerda, Brady, Havens, & Galeas, 2014; Zoorob & Salemi, 2017). It is also correlated to the high rates of homelessness in this region, including families with children and unaccompanied youth (Shamblin, Williams, & Bellaw, 2012).

The Appalachian culture varies from ‘mainstream’ America in terms of communication style, maintained social hierarchies, gender roles, and religious influence, among other factors. The cultural norms of Appalachian communities may influence their members’ ability and willingness to engage in mental health treatment and other services. It is important to understand the nuances of this culture to competently serve those within it. The preponderance of existing literature on Appalachian culture focuses on adult populations.

The goals for this chapter are to:

• 1.

  Familiarize the reader with government-level operational definitions of homelessness that inform public policy and funding

• 2.

  Inform the reader regarding known contributing factors to, trends within, and outcomes associated with homelessness

• 3.

  Clarify for the reader how homelessness impacts children differently than adults

• 4.

  Educate the reader regarding the cultural norms common within Appalachia, which may impact its community members’ response to professional interventions.

• 5.

  Offer recommendations regarding how those in professional roles may most effectively engage and work with homeless children and unaccompanied youth within the Appalachian region.