Primary Submission Category: Place/Communities
“It was mentally draining, the worst feeling in the world”: Pandemic Eviction Risk & Wellbeing
Authors: Kyra Rost, Danya Keene, Penelope Schlesinger,,
Presenting Author: Kyra Rost*
The ongoing affordable housing crisis in the United States has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, deepening instability for millions of Americans. Housing is fundamental to overall well-being, providing security, stability, and the foundation for employment, education, and health (Swope & Hernández, 2019). The pandemic caused widespread job loss, financial instability, and health crises, leaving millions at risk of eviction. By August 2020, approximately 2.4 million households expressed uncertainty about their ability to pay rent, rising to 3.5 million for households with children (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020). Individuals in under-resourced neighborhoods were already at heightened risk of eviction due to systemic disadvantages and racial disparities. Extended exposure to housing instability deteriorates both physical and mental health (Forde, 2019), contributing to increased hospital visits (Collinson et al., 2022) and poorer self-rated health (Hatch & Yun, 2020). These effects are especially pronounced among Black individuals, immigrants, and women (Melton-Fant et al., 2022; Graetz et al., 2023). Single mothers and their children are particularly vulnerable, facing heightened eviction rates and adverse health outcomes (Desmond & Kimbro, 2015). Few qualitative studies have explored individual-level health effects of eviction risk during the pandemic, and even fewer examine mothers’ and caregivers’ perspectives on their children’s experiences.
This study analyzed 57 in-depth interviews with individuals experiencing eviction risk in Bridgeport, CT, and Columbus, OH. Participants were recruited through community partners and public postings, all 18 or older and struggling to pay rent since March 2020. The sample was predominantly Black (56%), followed by White (28%), Hispanic (23%), and multiracial/other (14%). Women comprised 79% of participants. Semi-structured interviews, conducted between May and October 2023, explored housing conditions, eviction moratoriums, emergency rental assistance, landlord interactions, and physical and mental well-being. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using NVivo software, following an inductive thematic analysis approach informed by grounded theory.
Preliminary results reveal three primary themes: stress-induced health conditions, worsening mental health, and the impact of eviction risk on children. Participants described rapid weight loss, sleep disturbances, and stress-related health issues. Mental health conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, and suicidal ideation were exacerbated by eviction risk. Parents reported behavioral and emotional changes in their children, including anxiety, ADHD symptoms, and fears of homelessness, demonstrating that eviction risk significantly disrupts family well-being…