The Impact of Upstream Prevention of Homelessness on Youth Educational and Developmental Outcomes

Project Summary

Boston College School of Social Work (SSW) and the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley (UW) are collaborating to respond to family homelessness in Massachusetts and its negative impact on youth outcomes. Our goal is to improve outcomes for families experiencing housing instability through a coordinated approach to research and translation of findings to practitioners and policymakers. We are collaborating with one of UW’s partner agencies, FamilyAid Boston, on a new initiative – the Early Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (EHIP) pilot program. This program leverages connections with the Boston Public Schools to identify families at high risk of homelessness and intervenes before youth are exposed to the trauma and disruption of eviction. The partnership uses quasi-experimental approaches to

(1) evaluate the effectiveness of the EHIP program on youth academic and social emotional outcomes and

(2) generate evidence on reliable indicators of the risk of homelessness. We are also using multiple techniques to elicit insights around the complexity of housing instability and service provision, as well as how best to adapt EHIP and our research-practice approach to address homelessness, social-emotional wellbeing, and educational outcomes.

Approach & Goals

We are co-producing knowledge and interventions using multiple techniques including quasi-experimental methods, qualitative focus group discussions and in-depth interviews, and Community Based System Dynamics, a participatory approach to engage communities in understanding and changing systems.

Measurement & Metrics

Key outcome measures include youth social and emotional well-being and academic engagement. The study will draw on multiple data sources, including BPS administrative data, FAB assessment data, and baseline and follow-up survey data.

Publications