# Housing Is Medicine: What Young People Need After They Get the Keys with Austin Neal

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/my-city-talks-6298840/housing-is-medicine-what-young-people-need-after-they-get-the-keys-with-austin-neal
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/my-city-talks-6298840/housing-is-medicine-what-young-people-need-after-they-get-the-keys-with-austin-neal.md
Podcast: [Move the City FWD Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/my-city-talks-6298840)
Published: 2026-08-03T09:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://mycitymyhealth.transistor.fm/30
Audio file: https://2.gum.fm/op3.dev/e/pdcn.co/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/pdst.fm/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.transistor.fm/02b24e96/4abf48f8.mp3
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Duration seconds: 1983

## Resource

Getting someone into an apartment is not the end of the work. It is often where the real work begins. Corey talks with Austin Neal about youth homelessness, housing instability, and what it takes to help young people build a life beyond survival mode. Austin shares lessons from nearly a decade of serving people experiencing homelessness through Joppa, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa, and Iowa Homeless Youth Centers. They discuss hidden homelessness, the lack of affordable housing in Des Moines, and why housing must include safety, stability, mental health support, employment, food, and long-term relationships. They also explore a central question: What becomes possible when a young person finally has a safe place to sleep? Austin will continue this conversation as part of the Housing Is Medicine panel at the 2026 My City My Health Conference. Learn more and register at mycity.health. SHOW NOTES In this episode: How volunteering helped Austin discover his purpose What Austin learned serving people through Joppa The realities facing students and families experiencing homelessness Why youth homelessness cannot be reduced to drugs, alcohol, or personal choices The difference between placing someone in housing and helping them remain housed Why safety matters when evaluating housing outcomes How young people experience hidden homelessness through couch surfing, cars, and temporary living arrangements Why traditional homelessness counts miss many young people The connection between housing, mental health, trauma, and preventive care What it means to meet someone’s immediate needs before asking about long-term goals How stable housing gives young people room to dream again Why communities must work with people instead of making decisions for them The relationship betwe…

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