Uncovering the key factors driving housing insecurity to promote equity and well-being
Project Summary
Supported by funding from St. David’s CHPR at the School of Nursing at UT-Austin, this research project seeks to identify the determinants of housing instability. Using local, administrative datasets, the study will undertake a comprehensive analysis of how health status, involvement with the criminal justice system, and neighborhood-level characteristics contribute to eviction and homelessness.
The resulting insights will inform targeted local health promotion and homelessness prevention strategies and seek to advance equity and well-being in underserved communities.
Researchers
Akram Al-Turk, PhD is a Researcher, Professor, and Program Director for the Moritz Center’s Housing Program. His current work focuses on understanding the complex causes of housing instability and evaluating the impact of homeless service programs. Prior to joining the Moritz Center, he was the Senior Director of Research and Public Policy at the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition in Travis County. He has led community-based research projects and collaborated with service providers, policymakers, and advocacy groups. Akram holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from UNC-Chapel Hill and an M.A. in Global Policy Studies from the LBJ School, where he now teaches as an adjunct faculty member.