Negotiating precarity – employment experiences of Canadian young adults in social housing

BackgroundYoung adults living in social housing frequently face the double precarity of vulnerable housing and unstable employment, negatively affecting their health and well-being.ObjectiveThis study explored the experiences of Canadian young adult social housing residents to better understand their employment needs, challenges, and goals.MethodsThirteen young adults residing in social housing in a mid-sized Canadian city were interviewed using an online platform. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed based on Braun and Clark's inductive thematic analysis.ResultsAlthough participants valued the concept of work, only two were formally employed at the time of interview. Three broad narratives related to employment were identified: the 'persistently unemployed', 'single mothers', and 'youth'. Themes cutting across these narratives were developed related to work as a precarious experience and provide insight into how social housing and available supports influenced participants' lived experience of employment.ConclusionsFindings highlight the complex relationship between employment, housing, and well-being. Young adults living in social housing were not a homogenous group with respect to employment, yet the shared context in which they live contributed to shaping their employment experiences, priorities, and goals. A Capabilities lens was applied to consider what opportunities and freedoms social housing residents have or need to experience the well-being and inclusion benefits of employment and to promote individual and community flourishing.