Low-Income Women Speak out About Housing: A High-Stakes Game of Musical Chairs

This review of the social science literature examines correlates of homelessness. The review is supplemented by the voices of 12 low‐income women who are temporarily housed or living in public housing. Homelessness for women is associated with teen pregnancy and parenting, domestic violence, working at minimum‐wage jobs, and waiting lists of several years for subsidized housing. We conclude with a summary of women’s experiences accessing government housing programs. Public policy recommendations regarding housing programs are made. Government housing programs are briefly described in an Appendix to the article.