Directions:
Please read my rough draft and answer the questions below. Short answers are fine. If you notice grammar or MLA issues, feel free to mark them in the draft or mention them in your response.
Peer Review Questions
What does the writer do well in this essay
What does the writer need to work on in this essay
State the main point of this essay
Does the introduction grab your attention Does it lead smoothly to a thesis If not what could the writer do to improve it
What is the thesis statement Does it contain a strong opinion and specific focus Explain
Does each paragraph develop one main idea Describe the main idea of each paragraph five words or less for each Does each topic sentence tie back to the thesis
Does the writer offer evidence for the points made in each paragraph If so is the evidence convincing
Does the writer use transitions between paragraphs and ideas
Does the conclusion summarize in a fresh way and end on a memorable note What memorable impression does it leave
Are quotations integrated smoothly Do they flow with the grammar of the sentence Are all quotations cited correctly
Is there a Works Cited page for each author used in the essay Are entries in correct MLA format Are they alphabetized Is it on its own page
Is the essay formatted correctly margins font spacing If not what needs to be corrected
Does the essay have a clear title that fits the purpose of the paper
Are there grammar and spelling errors Reviewers can mark the draft instead of listing them here
If you were writing this essay what would you do differently and why Outline
Working Title: Housing Instability and Mental Health in Minnesota and Arizona
Thesis: Housing instability harms mental health for adults on fixed or limited incomes by increasing long term stress and psychological distress, and state and nonprofit systems respond in different ways through coordinated entry, shelter, and supportive housing.
I. Introduction: Define the problem and why it matters
II. History and background: Housing instability begins before homelessness
III. Extent of the problem: Definition, scale, and Minnesota compared to Arizona
IV. Repercussions: Individual and community impacts on mental health and stability
V. Quick fix solution: Prevention, rental help, and easier access to services
VI. Long term solution: More affordable housing, supportive housing, and coordinated systems
VII. Conclusion: Restate argument and summarize solutions
Housing Instability and Mental Health in Minnesota and Arizona
Introduction
Housing instability is not always obvious from the outside, but it can control a person's whole life. It can look like falling behind on rent, getting eviction warnings, moving often, living in overcrowded spaces, or losing housing completely. For adults living on fixed or limited incomes, those pressures can feel nonstop. When rent rises but benefits or pay stay the same, people are forced to choose between housing and basic needs like food, transportation, and healthcare. Over time, that kind of pressure can wear a person down emotionally. Housing is usually discussed as a money issue, but it also becomes a mental health issue because constant uncertainty creates ongoing stress. Housing instability harms mental health for adults on fixed or limited incomes by increasing long term stress and psychological distress, and state and nonprofit systems respond in different ways through coordinated entry, shelter, and supportive housing.
History and Background of the Problem
Housing instability has often been reduced to a homelessness conversation, but it starts earlier than that. A person can have a roof over their head and still live in unstable conditions. Healthy People 2030 explains that housing instability can include trouble paying rent, overcrowding, frequent moving, or spending most of the household income on housing (Healthy People 2030). For adults on fixed or limited incomes, the problem grows when rent takes up most of a monthly check. A fixed income does not adjust quickly when the market changes. When costs rise, people may borrow money, skip medical care, or move into crowded situations just to stay housed. That survival mode can last for months or years and it can damage mental health through chronic stress (Healthy People 2030). Public service systems and nonprofits often become involved because housing needs are connected to health care, paperwork, eligibility rules, and long waitlists.
Extent of the Problem
The extent of housing instability is larger than many people assume because it includes many levels of risk. Rent burden, frequent moves, and overcrowding can affect people even before they ever enter a shelter system. Research also supports the link between unstable housing experiences and psychological distress. Tsai and colleagues found that experiences such as eviction, foreclosure, and homelessness were linked with higher psychological distress among adults (Tsai et al.).
Minnesota Compared to Arizona
Homelessness looks different depending on where it happens, and the response systems can look different too. In the Twin Cities seven county metro, the population was about 3,156,517 people in 2023, which helps explain why the service system is large and complex (Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Minnesota also has a statewide strategy, Crossroads to Justice, that is meant to guide state government work on homelessness through 2027 (Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness). At the local level, coordinated entry is used to connect people to housing interventions like rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing (Minnesota Housing; Hennepin County). These structures matter because they can reduce confusion and shorten the time people spend in crisis, which can reduce stress over time.
Nonprofit service models show what this looks like on the ground. In Minnesota, Catholic Charities' Dorothy Day Residence offers permanent supportive housing for single adults and is co located with the Saint Paul Opportunity Center, which provides daytime shelter and connections to services (Catholic Charities Twin Cities, "Dorothy Day Residence"; Catholic Charities Twin Cities, "Saint Paul Opportunity Center"). The Salvation Army's Harbor Light Center in Minneapolis describes itself as Minnesota's largest homeless adult outreach facility, and it connects people to shelter, recovery support, and housing programs (The Salvation Army, "Harbor Light Center"). These programs highlight a pathway that combines housing stability with support services, which can help people manage mental health and substance use challenges more safely.
In Arizona, coordinated entry is also used, but the entry points and service pathways often rely heavily on mobile outreach and crisis response. Maricopa Association of Governments describes coordinated entry as a streamlined process for accessing resources in the homeless crisis response system (Maricopa Association of Governments). The Salvation Army in Phoenix notes that Project H.O.P.E. collaborates with Maricopa County's coordinated entry system and the Family Housing Hub to connect families through mobile outreach (The Salvation Army Phoenix). Phoenix Rescue Mission also describes street outreach that engages people on the streets and helps connect them to housing or recovery programs, along with a housing assistance program that meets people where they are (Phoenix Rescue Mission, "Homeless Outreach"; Phoenix Rescue Mission, "Housing"). These differences matter because climate, outreach needs, and system design can shape how quickly someone can move from crisis to stability, and stability is closely tied to stress and mental health.
Repercussions of the Problem
Housing instability affects mental health through constant uncertainty. When a person does not know if they will be able to pay rent, they live with daily worry. That worry can turn into chronic stress, and chronic stress can increase anxiety and depression. It can also make it harder to keep appointments, follow treatment plans, or maintain routines. Housing instability also strains communities by increasing demand on shelters, emergency rooms, and crisis services. When people lose stable housing, public systems often pay more for crisis response than they would for prevention.
Quick Fix Solution
A short term solution should focus on prevention and stabilization. Emergency rental assistance, eviction prevention support, and case management can help people stay housed before a crisis turns into homelessness. Coordination between housing services and healthcare is also important. Programs that connect housing support to mental health care can reduce the gaps that cause people to fall through.
Long Term Solution
Long term solutions require expanding affordable housing and strengthening ongoing supports for people on fixed or limited incomes. Stable affordable housing, paired with supportive services, reduces the cycle of crisis and helps people maintain recovery and mental wellness. HUD has discussed how housing stability can promote better health and mental health, which supports the idea that housing policy is also public health policy (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development). System improvements also matter, including lowering barriers, simplifying access, and improving coordinated entry so that people can get to the right help faster.
Conclusion
Housing instability is a serious public problem because it increases long term stress and psychological distress, especially for adults on fixed or limited incomes. It often begins before homelessness, through rent burden, overcrowding, frequent moves, and constant fear of losing housing. Research supports that housing related crises such as eviction and homelessness are connected to higher psychological distress (Tsai et al.). Minnesota and Arizona both rely on coordinated entry and nonprofit partners, but their pathways can look different based on system design and local pressures. Short term solutions should focus on prevention and stabilization, while long term solutions must expand affordable housing and strengthen supportive services. When housing is treated as part of public health, communities have a better chance of reducing both homelessness and the mental health harm that comes with instability.
Works Cited
Catholic Charities Twin Cities. "Dorothy Day Residence." Catholic Charities Twin Cities, cctwincities.org/services-and-locations/affordable-housing-solutions/dorothy-day-residence/. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Catholic Charities Twin Cities. "Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Saint Paul Opportunity Center." Catholic Charities Twin Cities, cctwincities.org/services-and-locations/adult-emergency-shelters/richard-m-schulze-family-foundation-saint-paul-opportunity-center/. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Hennepin County. "Coordinated Entry." Hennepin County, hennepin.us/en/residents/human-services/coordinated-entry. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Healthy People 2030. "Housing Instability." Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health/literature-summaries/housing-instability. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Maricopa Association of Governments. "What Is Coordinated Entry." Maricopa Association of Governments, azmag.gov/Portals/0/Homelessness/Resources/What-Is-Coordinated-Entry.pdf. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. "Recent Population Growth in the Metro Area." DEED, 23 Apr. 2025, mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/metro/metro-blog.jsp?id=1045-680261. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Minnesota Housing. "Coordinated Entry." Minnesota Housing, mnhousing.gov/home/rental-housing/coordinated-entry. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness. "Crossroads to Justice Strategic Plan." State of Minnesota, mich.mn.gov/crossroads-justice-strategic-plan. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Phoenix Rescue Mission. "Homeless Outreach." Phoenix Rescue Mission, phoenixrescuemission.org/help/homeless-outreach/. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Phoenix Rescue Mission. "Housing." Phoenix Rescue Mission, phoenixrescuemission.org/help/homeless-outreach/housing/. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
The Salvation Army. "Harbor Light Center." The Salvation Army, centralusa.salvationarmy.org/northern/harborlightcenter/home/. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
The Salvation Army Phoenix. "Homeless Services." The Salvation Army, salvationarmyphoenix.org/homeless-services. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Tsai, Jack, et al. "Experiences with Eviction, House Foreclosure, and Homelessness Among COVID 19 Infected Adults and Their Relation to Mental Health in a Large U.S. City." Journal of Community Health, vol. 48, no. 2, 2023, pp. 218 to 227, doi.org/10.1007/s10900-022-01166-5.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. "Promoting Mental Health Through Housing Stability." HUD USER PD&R Edge, 31 May 2022, archives.huduser.gov/portal/pdredge/pdr-edge-trending-053122.html. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Please read my rough draft and answer the questions below. Short answers are fine. If you notice grammar or MLA issues, feel free to mark them in the draft or mention them in your response.
Peer Review Questions
What does the writer do well in this essay
What does the writer need to work on in this essay
State the main point of this essay
Does the introduction grab your attention Does it lead smoothly to a thesis If not what could the writer do to improve it
What is the thesis statement Does it contain a strong opinion and specific focus Explain
Does each paragraph develop one main idea Describe the main idea of each paragraph five words or less for each Does each topic sentence tie back to the thesis
Does the writer offer evidence for the points made in each paragraph If so is the evidence convincing
Does the writer use transitions between paragraphs and ideas
Does the conclusion summarize in a fresh way and end on a memorable note What memorable impression does it leave
Are quotations integrated smoothly Do they flow with the grammar of the sentence Are all quotations cited correctly
Is there a Works Cited page for each author used in the essay Are entries in correct MLA format Are they alphabetized Is it on its own page
Is the essay formatted correctly margins font spacing If not what needs to be corrected
Does the essay have a clear title that fits the purpose of the paper
Are there grammar and spelling errors Reviewers can mark the draft instead of listing them here
If you were writing this essay what would you do differently and why Outline
Working Title: Housing Instability and Mental Health in Minnesota and Arizona
Thesis: Housing instability harms mental health for adults on fixed or limited incomes by increasing long term stress and psychological distress, and state and nonprofit systems respond in different ways through coordinated entry, shelter, and supportive housing.
I. Introduction: Define the problem and why it matters
II. History and background: Housing instability begins before homelessness
III. Extent of the problem: Definition, scale, and Minnesota compared to Arizona
IV. Repercussions: Individual and community impacts on mental health and stability
V. Quick fix solution: Prevention, rental help, and easier access to services
VI. Long term solution: More affordable housing, supportive housing, and coordinated systems
VII. Conclusion: Restate argument and summarize solutions
Housing Instability and Mental Health in Minnesota and Arizona
Introduction
Housing instability is not always obvious from the outside, but it can control a person's whole life. It can look like falling behind on rent, getting eviction warnings, moving often, living in overcrowded spaces, or losing housing completely. For adults living on fixed or limited incomes, those pressures can feel nonstop. When rent rises but benefits or pay stay the same, people are forced to choose between housing and basic needs like food, transportation, and healthcare. Over time, that kind of pressure can wear a person down emotionally. Housing is usually discussed as a money issue, but it also becomes a mental health issue because constant uncertainty creates ongoing stress. Housing instability harms mental health for adults on fixed or limited incomes by increasing long term stress and psychological distress, and state and nonprofit systems respond in different ways through coordinated entry, shelter, and supportive housing.
History and Background of the Problem
Housing instability has often been reduced to a homelessness conversation, but it starts earlier than that. A person can have a roof over their head and still live in unstable conditions. Healthy People 2030 explains that housing instability can include trouble paying rent, overcrowding, frequent moving, or spending most of the household income on housing (Healthy People 2030). For adults on fixed or limited incomes, the problem grows when rent takes up most of a monthly check. A fixed income does not adjust quickly when the market changes. When costs rise, people may borrow money, skip medical care, or move into crowded situations just to stay housed. That survival mode can last for months or years and it can damage mental health through chronic stress (Healthy People 2030). Public service systems and nonprofits often become involved because housing needs are connected to health care, paperwork, eligibility rules, and long waitlists.
Extent of the Problem
The extent of housing instability is larger than many people assume because it includes many levels of risk. Rent burden, frequent moves, and overcrowding can affect people even before they ever enter a shelter system. Research also supports the link between unstable housing experiences and psychological distress. Tsai and colleagues found that experiences such as eviction, foreclosure, and homelessness were linked with higher psychological distress among adults (Tsai et al.).
Minnesota Compared to Arizona
Homelessness looks different depending on where it happens, and the response systems can look different too. In the Twin Cities seven county metro, the population was about 3,156,517 people in 2023, which helps explain why the service system is large and complex (Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Minnesota also has a statewide strategy, Crossroads to Justice, that is meant to guide state government work on homelessness through 2027 (Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness). At the local level, coordinated entry is used to connect people to housing interventions like rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing (Minnesota Housing; Hennepin County). These structures matter because they can reduce confusion and shorten the time people spend in crisis, which can reduce stress over time.
Nonprofit service models show what this looks like on the ground. In Minnesota, Catholic Charities' Dorothy Day Residence offers permanent supportive housing for single adults and is co located with the Saint Paul Opportunity Center, which provides daytime shelter and connections to services (Catholic Charities Twin Cities, "Dorothy Day Residence"; Catholic Charities Twin Cities, "Saint Paul Opportunity Center"). The Salvation Army's Harbor Light Center in Minneapolis describes itself as Minnesota's largest homeless adult outreach facility, and it connects people to shelter, recovery support, and housing programs (The Salvation Army, "Harbor Light Center"). These programs highlight a pathway that combines housing stability with support services, which can help people manage mental health and substance use challenges more safely.
In Arizona, coordinated entry is also used, but the entry points and service pathways often rely heavily on mobile outreach and crisis response. Maricopa Association of Governments describes coordinated entry as a streamlined process for accessing resources in the homeless crisis response system (Maricopa Association of Governments). The Salvation Army in Phoenix notes that Project H.O.P.E. collaborates with Maricopa County's coordinated entry system and the Family Housing Hub to connect families through mobile outreach (The Salvation Army Phoenix). Phoenix Rescue Mission also describes street outreach that engages people on the streets and helps connect them to housing or recovery programs, along with a housing assistance program that meets people where they are (Phoenix Rescue Mission, "Homeless Outreach"; Phoenix Rescue Mission, "Housing"). These differences matter because climate, outreach needs, and system design can shape how quickly someone can move from crisis to stability, and stability is closely tied to stress and mental health.
Repercussions of the Problem
Housing instability affects mental health through constant uncertainty. When a person does not know if they will be able to pay rent, they live with daily worry. That worry can turn into chronic stress, and chronic stress can increase anxiety and depression. It can also make it harder to keep appointments, follow treatment plans, or maintain routines. Housing instability also strains communities by increasing demand on shelters, emergency rooms, and crisis services. When people lose stable housing, public systems often pay more for crisis response than they would for prevention.
Quick Fix Solution
A short term solution should focus on prevention and stabilization. Emergency rental assistance, eviction prevention support, and case management can help people stay housed before a crisis turns into homelessness. Coordination between housing services and healthcare is also important. Programs that connect housing support to mental health care can reduce the gaps that cause people to fall through.
Long Term Solution
Long term solutions require expanding affordable housing and strengthening ongoing supports for people on fixed or limited incomes. Stable affordable housing, paired with supportive services, reduces the cycle of crisis and helps people maintain recovery and mental wellness. HUD has discussed how housing stability can promote better health and mental health, which supports the idea that housing policy is also public health policy (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development). System improvements also matter, including lowering barriers, simplifying access, and improving coordinated entry so that people can get to the right help faster.
Conclusion
Housing instability is a serious public problem because it increases long term stress and psychological distress, especially for adults on fixed or limited incomes. It often begins before homelessness, through rent burden, overcrowding, frequent moves, and constant fear of losing housing. Research supports that housing related crises such as eviction and homelessness are connected to higher psychological distress (Tsai et al.). Minnesota and Arizona both rely on coordinated entry and nonprofit partners, but their pathways can look different based on system design and local pressures. Short term solutions should focus on prevention and stabilization, while long term solutions must expand affordable housing and strengthen supportive services. When housing is treated as part of public health, communities have a better chance of reducing both homelessness and the mental health harm that comes with instability.
Works Cited
Catholic Charities Twin Cities. "Dorothy Day Residence." Catholic Charities Twin Cities, cctwincities.org/services-and-locations/affordable-housing-solutions/dorothy-day-residence/. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Catholic Charities Twin Cities. "Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Saint Paul Opportunity Center." Catholic Charities Twin Cities, cctwincities.org/services-and-locations/adult-emergency-shelters/richard-m-schulze-family-foundation-saint-paul-opportunity-center/. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Hennepin County. "Coordinated Entry." Hennepin County, hennepin.us/en/residents/human-services/coordinated-entry. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Healthy People 2030. "Housing Instability." Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health/literature-summaries/housing-instability. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Maricopa Association of Governments. "What Is Coordinated Entry." Maricopa Association of Governments, azmag.gov/Portals/0/Homelessness/Resources/What-Is-Coordinated-Entry.pdf. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. "Recent Population Growth in the Metro Area." DEED, 23 Apr. 2025, mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/metro/metro-blog.jsp?id=1045-680261. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Minnesota Housing. "Coordinated Entry." Minnesota Housing, mnhousing.gov/home/rental-housing/coordinated-entry. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness. "Crossroads to Justice Strategic Plan." State of Minnesota, mich.mn.gov/crossroads-justice-strategic-plan. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Phoenix Rescue Mission. "Homeless Outreach." Phoenix Rescue Mission, phoenixrescuemission.org/help/homeless-outreach/. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Phoenix Rescue Mission. "Housing." Phoenix Rescue Mission, phoenixrescuemission.org/help/homeless-outreach/housing/. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
The Salvation Army. "Harbor Light Center." The Salvation Army, centralusa.salvationarmy.org/northern/harborlightcenter/home/. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
The Salvation Army Phoenix. "Homeless Services." The Salvation Army, salvationarmyphoenix.org/homeless-services. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Tsai, Jack, et al. "Experiences with Eviction, House Foreclosure, and Homelessness Among COVID 19 Infected Adults and Their Relation to Mental Health in a Large U.S. City." Journal of Community Health, vol. 48, no. 2, 2023, pp. 218 to 227, doi.org/10.1007/s10900-022-01166-5.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. "Promoting Mental Health Through Housing Stability." HUD USER PD&R Edge, 31 May 2022, archives.huduser.gov/portal/pdredge/pdr-edge-trending-053122.html. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
