This longitudinal study, conducted in Ottawa, Canada between October 2002 and October 2005, examined the economic integration of women who were homeless at the study’s outset. Participants (N = 101) participated in two in-person interviews. A predictive model identifying factors related to becoming employed or engaged in education was developed from previous empirical research and tested. Having dependent children, having spent a greater proportion of time working, and having been housed for a longer period of time predicted the likelihood of becoming employed or engaged in education at the two-year follow-up. More adult work experience and employment at the initial interview were associated with a longer period of employment reported at follow-up. A lower level of education predicted engagement in full-time studies at follow-up. These findings suggest that housing, and employment and educational assistance, are essential to helping women who have experienced homelessness to become economically integrated into their communities; however, the results point to continuing financial hardship, even among women who succeed in obtaining employment.
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