UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #1215

Submission information
Submission Number: 1215
Submission ID: 20671
Submission UUID: fed02867-29ee-4906-84de-c1545b1877c1

Created: Mon, 08/18/2025 - 12:41 AM
Completed: Mon, 08/18/2025 - 12:41 AM
Changed: Thu, 08/28/2025 - 09:57 PM

Remote IP address: 98.242.65.93
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English

Is draft: No
Primary Research Mentor Name Gian Morrison
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns She/Her
When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific? Ms
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated) gm24i@fsu.edu
Position Title Graduate Student
Faculty Advisor Name Dr. Na'Ama Nagar
Faculty Advisor's FSU Email nnagar@fsu.edu
FSU College (if applicable) Social Sciences and Public Policy
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation International Affairs
Headshot (optional)
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above)
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific?
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated)
Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable)
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Pronouns
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific?
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated)
Title of the Project The Effectiveness of Affordable Housing Initiatives in Preventing and Reducing Homelessness Leon County Tallahassee
Project Keywords Homelessness prevention, Affordable Housing Initiatives, Housing policies Leon County
Are you currently looking for research assistants? Yes
Number of Research Assistants Needed 2
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s) Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation? No, the project is remote
Please select the choice that most accurately describes your expectations for the research assistant(s): Partially Remote
Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work? 2-3
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work? Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Overall Research Project Description Background and Rationale

Homelessness in Tallahassee, particularly in Leon County, remains disproportionately high compared to other Florida counties despite the presence of several affordable housing initiatives such as the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, the Leon County Community Land Trust, and rapid re-housing programs coordinated through the Big Bend Continuum of Care.
While these programs are designed to increase access to stable housing and reduce homelessness, there is limited publicly available evaluation on whether they are achieving measurable outcomes in:
1)Reducing the total homeless population.
2)Preventing at-risk individuals and families from losing housing.
3)Addressing chronic homelessness through permanent supportive housing.

It is deemed imperative to study this gap in assessment because of:
1. Persistent housing insecurity—That is, rising rents, low vacancy rates, and a high poverty rate (over 20% in Leon County) continue to push residents toward homelessness despite ongoing initiatives.

2. Policy accountability—City and county governments, along with nonprofit partners, invest substantial public funds into affordable housing projects. Without rigorous evaluation, it is unclear if these resources are being deployed effectively.

3.Community impact—Homelessness affects public health, local business environments, educational stability for children, and law enforcement resources.

4.Scalability and improvement—If certain programs in Tallahassee prove effective, they could be scaled up locally or serve as models for other Florida communities. Conversely, identifying gaps can inform policy adjustments.


Therefore, studying the effectiveness of these affordable housing strategies aims to provide:
1. Evidence-based insights to guide policymakers in optimizing current initiatives.
2.Data for targeted interventions that address specific barriers such as discrimination against voucher holders, insufficient shelter capacity, or the mismatch between available housing and income levels.
3. Long-term cost-benefit understanding, as stable housing is often more cost-effective than repeated emergency interventions.

Research Question: How effective are current affordable housing initiatives in Leon County Tallahassee at preventing and reducing homelessness?
Research Questions:
1. How effective are affordable housing initiatives in Leon County Tallahassee at preventing homelessness?
2. To what extent have these initiatives contributed to reducing homelessness?
3. What are the primary factors that contribute to homelessness and who are the primary individuals that are affected?
4. What are the challenges to the effectiveness of these programs?
5. How do stakeholders (e.g policy makers, service providers) assess the impact of these initiatives?

Methodology
Qualitative Data Collection: Conduct interviews or Focus Groups with key stakeholders (housing officals and persons who have applied or benefited from these housing initiatives.
Data Analysis: Examine Point-in time counts, eviction records and affordable housing unit production to track changes in homeless trends
Research Tasks The research task will be largely centered around the collection of data, conducting interviews, and data analysis along with literature review
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Database & Records use: being able to navigate public records
Knowledge of Housing Policy and Programs: Familiar with affordable housing tools e.g., SHIP/HOME funds, Housing First, zoning
Understanding of Homeless systems: Have an awareness of Continuum of Care structure and HMIS (Homeless Management Information System)
Literature Review and Synthesis: Ability to search academic databases (Google Scholar, Jstor, Proquest etc...
Data collection: Gathering secondary and primary data
Data analysis: Qualitative coding and analyzing interviews/policy documents
Mentoring Philosophy My mentoring philosophy is rooted in fostering a supportive, intellectually stimulating, and collaborative environment where emerging researchers can develop their skills, confidence, and passion for inquiry. I aim to guide my mentees toward becoming independent and critical thinkers, capable of navigating the complexities of research with integrity and enthusiasm.

Core Principles
My approach to mentoring is built upon several core principles:
1.Fostering Independence and Ownership: My primary goal is to empower mentees to take ownership of their research projects and intellectual development. While I provide guidance and structure, I believe true growth comes from grappling with challenges, making informed decisions, and celebrating individual contributions. I encourage curiosity and independent problem-solving.
2.Mutual Respect and Open Communication: A healthy mentoring relationship thrives on mutual respect and open, honest communication. I strive to create a safe space where mentees feel comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas, acknowledging struggles, and receiving constructive feedback without fear of judgment. I am committed to active listening and providing thoughtful responses.
3.Growth Mindset: I encourage a growth mindset, where challenges are seen as opportunities for learning rather than insurmountable obstacles. I support mentees in understanding that setbacks are a natural part of the research process and that perseverance and adaptability are key to success.
4.Holistic Development: Beyond technical skills, I am invested in my mentees' holistic development. This includes helping them develop presentation skills, critical thinking, time management, and ethical research practices
Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):
Please add any additional information here (if applicable):
Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable? Yes
Roundtable times and Zoom links Tuesday September 2 @ 6-6:30
Click https://us05web.zoom.us/j/81120741930?pwd=ppbKZk3rzzO2JxN4LiHamx9l9THvTm.1 to start or join a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Roundtable Info
  • Day: Tuesday, September 2
    Start Time: 6:00
    End Time: 6:30
    Zoom Link: https://us05web.zoom.us/j/81120741930?pwd=ppbKZk3rzzO2JxN4LiHamx9l9THvTm.1
Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation Yes
Materials Grant Yes
UROP Poster Presentation Yes
Faculty Advisor Confirmation Yes
Are you interested in attending in a UROP Research Mentor Workshop Series?
Year 2025
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