Sharing the neuroscience of living with housing instability: Collaborating with front-line workers to co-create a knowledge translation activity

Abstract

Traumatic brain injuries, mental illnesses and neurodevelopmental disorders are established risk factors for housing instability. Further, these brain-associated conditions may result in additional barriers to accessing services. We explored perspectives of front-line housing support workers concerning the neuroscience of housing instability to co-create a knowledge translation (KT) activity. Interviews were conducted with front-line workers (participant-researchers) about the impacts of brain-associated conditions in individuals experiencing housing instability. We combined interview results with existing neuroscience research to develop a KT activity. We collaboratively planned improvements to the KT activity via a focus group. The participant-researchers found statistics about the overrepresentation of brain-associated conditions among individuals experiencing housing instability compelling. They expressed that the greatest impact may arise if we target politician and policymaker audiences. Improved awareness of the neuroscience of housing instability may provide motivation for addressing systemic factors that perpetuate the violence of living unhoused.