Date of Award

January 2023

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

School of Public Health

First Advisor

Danya E. Keene

Abstract

Throughout the United States, rent costs and eviction increases leave low-income people of color more rent-burdened than their white counterparts; these challenges may result in further complex barriers to housing stability for Spanish speakers. In this explorative study, I examined the shared and unique barriers to housing stability for Spanish speakers in Connecticut. I conducted a rapid qualitative analysis of semi-structured individual interviews and focus groups with (N = 14) participants from three larger research projects (Right to Counsel Evaluation, Project ReSIDe, and Tenant Energy Advocacy). This study included Spanish-speaking individuals living in CT who had participated in at least one of the above projects; eligibility criteria including facing challenges paying utilities, being on waitlists for housing assistance, having experienced eviction, and/or identifying as low-income renters. The findings suggest multiple shared and unique barriers to understanding and prioritizing their tenant rights and accessing resources. I explore how these manifested in the participant's experiences using 1) shared barriers with English-speaking tenants but with nuance in how these manifest for Spanish speakers and 2) unique barriers. Collectively, the findings show how unique and shared barriers disconnect Spanish-speaking tenants from their power to uphold their tenant rights. The results suggest a need to increase targeted outreach for existing programs supporting Spanish speakers, increase funding for existing services, and create protections for undocumented tenants.

Comments

This is an Open Access Thesis.

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