What is Trauma? 

In recent years, the term “trauma” has become something of a buzzword in pop culture, appearing widely throughout social media and on television. This trend has been met with mixed feelings from experts and survivors of trauma alike. Some assert that the newfound popularity of the word has helped to destigmatize mental health and bring awareness to the impact trauma has on many lives. In contrast, others claim overuse of the word, often used to describe anything mildly distressing or shocking, has resulted in trivializing the experiences of survivors. 

However, the broad usage of the word “trauma” reflects the fluidity of how we define it; there is no one statement that can fully encompass the complexity and individual experiences of trauma. Instead of attempting to create a universal definition, trauma may be best understood by how it affects the people who experience it. Guarino and Bassuk’s research on family homelessness and trauma defines what makes an experience traumatic in four key ways: 

1. An experience that threatens one’s physical or emotional well-being
2. Is overwhelming
3. Results in a feeling of lack of control and fear and leaves people feeling helpless
4. Changes the way a person understands him or herself, the world, and others

The field of psychology generally agrees upon three broad categorizations of trauma: Type 1, Type 2, and complex. 

• Type 1 trauma can be described as a single, short-lived traumatic event such as a car accident, violent assault, or natural disaster. 
• Type 2 trauma is prolonged and repeated, often beginning in early childhood within a family or social environment; examples may include domestic violence or living with a parent with a mental illness. 
• Complex trauma results when a person experiences a combination of Type 1 and Type 2 trauma. 

Trauma and Homelessness 

Research shows that a large number of people experiencing homelessness have a background of complex trauma. Complex trauma is closely tied to adverse childhood experiences or ACEs. ACEs are defined as potentially traumatic events that occur during childhood, such as violence, abuse, and neglect. Several studies have revealed that the unhoused population has significantly higher rates of ACEs compared to the general public and that ACEs are contributing risk factors in homelessness. The more research is conducted on ACEs, the more it becomes evident how impactful these experiences are in adulthood. Early childhood trauma can lead to poorer mental and physical health outcomes later in life, including higher rates of chronic illness, depression, and difficulty maintaining healthy relationships. The challenging effects of early childhood trauma are further complicated when a person is experiencing homelessness. When a person’s basic needs of food and shelter are constantly in question, there is little space to take the steps needed to heal from trauma. 

Homelessness in itself is a traumatic experience where one’s sense of safety and stability are threatened. Living on the streets exposes unhoused people to dangerous environmental conditions and leaves them at a greater risk of injury, accident, and assault. In one European study, nearly two-thirds of the unhoused population had been abused or insulted publicly while sleeping outside. Additionally, many people experiencing homelessness live in social isolation with limited access to family and community connections. Social exclusion not only creates barriers to escaping homelessness but also activates the same neurological pathways as physical trauma. Trauma within the context of homelessness is cyclical. Those who experience trauma early in life face mental and physical effects that put them at greater risk of homelessness, and homelessness further erodes their sense of safety, control, and community. The longer a person remains unhoused, the more opportunity is created for trauma to continue. Thus, securing permanent and safe housing is crucial to combat this cycle. 

The Intersections of Racism, Trauma, and Homelessness

Although every person’s trauma is unique to them, some traumas are experienced on a larger, systemic level. The conversation of homelessness and trauma is incomplete without acknowledging the role of racism. People of color, particularly Black individuals, are massively overrepresented in the unhoused population. While only 12 percent of Americans are Black, they account for 32 percent of the people experiencing homelessness. At the root of this disparity are centuries of structural racism and the perseverance of discriminatory practices like redlining and mass incarceration that uphold racial inequality to this day. 

Experiencing the effects of racism is traumatic and often extends throughout generations. Several studies have drawn parallels between complex trauma and racial trauma because, like complex trauma, racial trauma usually begins in childhood and persists throughout a person’s life. Like complex trauma, racial trauma leads to long-term stress and adversity, which has been linked to poorer health outcomes. While some experts have compared the psychological effects of racism to PTSD, the signifier of “post-traumatic” is inaccurate. Racial trauma is not static or isolated but an experience that is constant and penetrating in every aspect of life. As long as racism continues to infiltrate our economy, society, and policy in the United States, this cycle of trauma and its transfer from one generation to the next will pervade. 

Understanding how systemic racism influences discriminatory housing practices and access to opportunities throughout life is imperative to combatting homelessness. At Housing Up, we recognize the importance of providing culturally competent and trauma-informed services to the families we serve. While healing trauma is often a complex and lengthy journey, meeting people’s basic needs first allows space for this process to begin. Once families are permanently housed, we provide case management, residential services, and mental health support. Resident Services Coordinator Tony Smith, who works with the families at our Partner Arms II community, can attest to the importance of trauma-informed services. 

Housing and Trauma Awareness: An Interview with Tony Smith

Q: Why do you feel trauma awareness is important in serving Housing Up families? 

Tony: If you think about the overall mission of Housing Up, we are not able to do anything if we are not addressing trauma. The Housing First model is a person-centered approach, and the way we build rapport with our clients is by getting them to trust us. We build trust by understanding trauma and how it impacts every client differently.

Q: What role do you think trauma plays in our families’ housing experiences? 

Tony: Trauma plays a role prior to housing, in the process of securing housing, and in maintaining housing. When people struggle to express their emotions because of trauma, it becomes very difficult for them to communicate their needs and navigate services. Once they are housed, living in a community requires further communication. A lot of times, it may be easier to reach the goal of housing than maintain it. Understanding the nuances of trauma is very important to helping this process.

Q: What is one thing you wish more people knew about the relationship between trauma and homelessness? 

Tony: I wish folks would understand that experiencing homelessness is not a character flaw and that trauma is usually the cause. Trauma is different for everyone. One way I explain how everyone sees the world differently when speaking to the kids is the water glass example. If I hold a glass of water in front of you and ask you what you see, you may say glass. However, I may say water or clear. My perspective isn’t wrong; it’s just different from yours. This is how trauma affects people differently. Something that may be traumatic for one person may not be for another. Trauma-informed care is harm reduction. We are constantly assessing our residents and seeing how they are doing. Instead of removing children from a house because there is no food, we first need to step back and ask why and try to find a solution to get them food first.

Trauma Awareness is Harm Reduction

As Tony Smith described, at the core of trauma awareness is harm reduction. Understanding the impact trauma has on homelessness and the housing process is imperative to providing services to the families we serve at Housing Up. Our case managers, resident services staff, and licensed clinical social workers help families, including children, develop tailored goals and services that fit their needs. Trauma, like homelessness, is not a monolith; every experience is individual. The stigmatizing assumption that homelessness is a moral flaw fails to recognize the influence of trauma and the social, economic, and historical factors that contribute to housing loss. Homelessness, rather, is a reflection of the failures of the systems in place to support vulnerable populations. At Housing Up, our mission is to enable homeless and at-risk families to end the cycles of poverty and trauma by providing stable housing and comprehensive support services. We believe that when people have safe and affordable housing and genuine opportunities, they have the power to transform their lives.