Poster #34 - Elevated Voices: The Perspectives of Homeless, Black Men with Mental Illness on Services in Washington, D.C.

• In Event: Saturday Poster Luncheon

Abstract

Black men are overrepresented in the homeless population. Systemic failures have led many Black men to experience homelessness today. While there are services and programs put in place to combat this issue, the Black man’s past traumas, gender, race, homelessness, and mental illness status are often forgotten when developing programs. This research uses an intersectionality framework and a phenomenological methodology to gather the perspectives of homeless, Black men with mental illness on services in Washington, District of Columbia (D.C.). The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with eleven homeless, Black men with a self-reported mental illness to determine the services most needed to support them in their homeless journey. The findings revealed that to get the necessary support, homeless Black men with mental illness need intentional outreach, guidance navigating the homeless system, supportive providers, improved facilities, and community engagement. Understanding the lived experiences of this subpopulation will help policymakers recognize that a one-size-fits-all approach is not conducive when servicing a group that has many complexities of oppression. Policymakers will be able to develop better resources to address homelessness amongst a group that is regularly forgotten.

Author

• Valerie Carpenter, Northeastern University
  Presenting Author