Abstract
This qualitative Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) study explored the subjectivity of the phenomenon of homelessness among women with children. The study examined the perceived critical incidents homeless women with children ascribe to their homelessness alongside the perceptions held regarding the accessibility of available resources and recommendations by which to improve access to available resources. The study’s aim was to produce a comprehensive, in-depth understanding of the subjectivity of the lived experiences and causes associated with homelessness by giving seven homeless women with children living in West Virginia’s (WV) rural area of Berkeley County a voice to describe their current homeless situation. Findings revealed several emerging themes including domestic violence (physical, sexual, and verbal abuse), substance abuse or addiction, a combination of domestic violence and substance abuse or addiction, underemployment/unemployment, as well as the utilization and non-utilization of available resources. Evidence-based solutions are recommended to improve accessibility to available social and human resources such as child care, drug treatment facilities, job training programs, Medicaid, and mental health services. Information on available resources was also disseminated to homeless women with children. Implications of this study highlight ways to improve pre-existing policies, enhance the development of new policy, expand current programs or advance the development of new programs to close the gap that is preventing homeless women with children from accessing available resources.| Keywords: Homelessness, critical incidents, the phenomenon of homelessness among women and with children, available resources.