This episode dives into the often overlooked dimension of homelessness—doubling up—and its profound impact on housing insecurity. Molly Richard, Assistant Professor of Public Health at the University of Rhode Island, sheds light on how hidden homelessness skews data, affects policy, and requires targeted solutions.
In this episode:
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to hidden homelessness and the concept of doubling up
00:27 - Defining doubling up and how it fits into broader homelessness issues
01:24 - The measurement and reporting challenges of doubling up phenomena
02:49 - The real number of doubled-up households and its implication on state figures
03:43 - Impact of federal definitions on homelessness aid eligibility
04:55 - The financial human cost and policy gaps caused by exclusion of doubling up
05:34 - How community data and census estimates reveal the scale of doubling up
06:41 - The connection between structural economic conditions and doubling up
07:39 - Factors influencing who doubles up and regional differences in service access
09:51 - How previous living situations predict future homelessness and prevention opportunities
10:28 - The four-prong strategy for tackling hidden homelessness
11:20 - The importance of flexible, local response systems beyond federal definitions
12:46 - The essential role of affordable housing, economic stability, and innovation
13:35 - The broader economic context influencing housing insecurity and solutions from policymakers
15:37 - Emerging housing solutions like modular homes and zoning considerations
17:07 - Balancing quality and rapid construction in addressing the housing crisis
18:13 - The danger of ignoring hidden homelessness in policy and public perception
19:24 - How research should inform policy to prevent crises before they escalate
20:26 - The significance of early intervention and data tracking for long-term impact
21:02 - The influence of cultural conversations, including pop culture, on understanding homelessness
21:58 - Building on community dialogue to address housing as a spectrum of need
22:03 - Closing thoughts and the importance of expertise in policymaking
Resources & Links:
Connect with Molly Richard:
Notable Quote:
"Addressing hidden homelessness requires understanding the spectrum of living situations—because when we ignore the unseen, we underestimate the true scale of the crisis."
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