Factors Influencing Street Living and the Role of Social Workers in Sustainable Rehabilitation Program

In Nigeria, street living continues to be a persistent and expanding problem in spite of multiple initiatives by governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, religious institutions, and international authorities. This study aims to determine the factors influencing street living and the role of social workers in sustainable rehabilitation program. This study utilized a qualitative approach where in-depth interviews to obtain information and responses from 11 participants who are social workers from Ijebu, Remo and Abeokuta areas of Ogun State where recruited and interviewed. The interview were recorded and transcribed for analysis which was done using narrative analysis approach. The results showed that family dissolution, economic hardship, and terrorism-related insecurity are the main causes of street life and social workers play roles such as reintegration programs, job training, and rehabilitation initiatives like the Housing First initiative. It is recommended that in order to guarantee the continuity of interventions aimed at homeless people, the government and non-governmental organizations should provide financial and logistical support for social work-led rehabilitation programs. This study has implications for social work as it reaffirms the importance of a holistic, collaborative, and well-supported approach to addressing street living, with social workers at the center of creating meaningful and lasting change.