Date of Conferral

9-4-2025

Degree

Doctor of Human Services (D.H.S.)

School

Human Services

Advisor

Virginia Smith

Abstract

Homelessness in the United States remains a persistent issue despite legislative efforts to address it. Single parents navigating homelessness encounter unique challenges in accessing stable housing and essential services, with domestic violence often serving as a significant contributory factor. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of practitioners regarding the needs of single parents navigating domestic violence-related homelessness. The empowerment theory provided the framework for this study, and data were obtained from focus groups with leaders and administrators who work in the areas of homelessness, economic security, and family violence. The study’s findings revealed significant gaps in current interventions and emphasized the need for more trauma-informed, collaborative approaches across the systems serving this population. Based on these findings, the study recommended the creation of a countywide task force composed of victim-survivors, human service practitioners, housing experts, legal advocates, and public health officials to establish guidelines and actionable solutions for improving service delivery. This task force would prioritize trauma-responsive, survivor-centered, and community-based approaches that address systemic barriers to safety and stability. These recommendations have the potential for positive social change by enhancing interagency collaboration, strengthening funding, and promoting strengths-based interventions that improve long-term outcomes for single parents navigating domestic violence-related homelessness in Maricopa County, Arizona.

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