Exploring the Perspectives of Emerging Adults in Public Housing: Workforce Development, Economic Mobility, and Structural Barriers

This study examines the perspectives of emerging adults residing in public housing regarding their future opportunities and challenges, with a focus on workforce development programs as a mechanism for economic mobility. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, 18 participants engaged in workforce training programs in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments across Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan were interviewed. Findings reveal that while workforce programs offer skill-building opportunities, participants face structural barriers such as limited career advancement, economic instability, and restrictive public assistance policies. The study highlights the resilience of public housing residents and provides policy recommendations to enhance workforce programs’ effectiveness in promoting long-term economic stability.