Abstract
Housing First programs, such as rapid rehousing, are a well-established approach to addressing homelessness among adults, yet there remains a lack of research demonstrating the ability of such services to effectively promote housing stability among youth. Given the paucity of work examining the factors associated with housing stability for formerly homeless youth, the current exploratory study was conducted to determine the characteristics associated with housing loss (i.e., due to evictions or notices to vacate) among youth (N = 60) housed through a rapid rehousing program. Data collected through service delivery at an agency in Austin, Texas, were examined as part of this analysis, including sociodemographic information, mental health and substance misuse, and other background and psychosocial factors. Stepwise regression analyses revealed significant positive associations between youth’s loss of housing and the following three factors: (1) foster care history; (2) identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ); and (3) depression. Results from this study highlight the need for more tailored support for youth who have a history of foster care involvement, identify as LGBTQ, or are experiencing depression as they exit homelessness through a rapid rehousing program. Ensuring adequate and appropriate formal and informal support for these youth can improve the efforts of rapid rehousing programs in promoting housing stability.