Viviendo con dignidad: Lived experiences of Latina immigrant survivors of intimate partner violence with housing in the US.

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) increases the risk of homelessness and housing instability, particularly among Latine immigrant survivors in the USA. Latina immigrant women face disproportionate impacts of IPV and heightened risks for homelessness and housing instability, yet remain underrepresented in the IPV and housing literature, where methodologies regularly fail to center their voices and lived experiences. This study addresses this gap by utilizing Participatory Action Research (PAR) to investigate the housing experiences of Latina immigrant survivors (N = 14) through in-depth interviews conducted in Spanish. Study findings reveal multifaceted housing experiences and challenges, including unsanitary and unsafe living conditions, landlord abuse, as well as discrimination and language barriers. The concept of dignidad (dignity) was central to survivors' narratives, which survivors identified as integral to safe and stable housing. Recommendations highlight the need for holistic, culturally-grounded housing services in survivors' preferred language. By highlighting Latina immigrant survivors' lived experiences and definitions of safe and stable housing, and punctuating the importance of language justice, this study underscores the need for tailored interventions that address the unique needs and challenges of this population. Additionally, survivors' recommendations offer actionable insights for policy makers and practitioners seeking to improve housing services for Latina immigrant survivors.