This article discusses everyday experiences of transient homelessness in Ghana's capital, Accra. Episodic interviews with individuals living in squatter settlements in the wealthy East Legon suburb explored: (1) roots of homelessness; (2) everyday experiences and coping strategies; (3) relationship between experiences and (mental) health; (4) needs and interventions. Three intersecting forms of insecurity framed participants' everyday experience: financial, legal and psychosocial. Physical and psychological stresses were common; physical illnesses rare. Coping strategies facilitated adaptation but not transformation of everyday circumstances. We explore possibilities for intervention and discuss relevance of this study to the health psychology and African literatures on homelessness. Copyright © 2007 SAGE Publications.

Homelessness Rural-urban migration Family disruption Mental health Ghana poverty

Psychology, Social social psychology Health Status Disparities correlation analysis mental health human daily life activity controlled study mental stress coping behavior priority journal Ghana Adaptation, Psychological financial management Urban Health qualitative research interview Humans Interviews as Topic male female Article social adaptation suburban area adult migration legal aspect physical stress Poverty Areas Homeless Persons Transients and Migrants homelessness