Forty Years of Research on Predictors of Homelessness.

Authors

Giano, Z., Williams, A., Hankey, C., Merrill, R., Lisnic, R. & Herring, A.

Type
Journal Article
Year published
2020
Journal
Community Mental Health Journal
Attachments
Document
Giano_2020.pdf (1011.13 KB)
Title

Forty Years of Research on Predictors of Homelessness.

Volume and issue

56,

Abstract

Homelessness is a chronic public health issue in the U.S. This paper reviews the endurance and evolution of individual, youth, and family homelessness over the past 40-plus years. Thematic findings detail research on predictors of homelessness among adolescents, runaway youth, veterans, older adults, sheltered families, and female-headed families. Results provide a summary of contributors to homelessness, including issues related to family instability, unemployment and poverty, mental illness, substance use, unstable living arrangements, child maltreatment, social support, crime, and violence. Findings highlight key and persistent predictors of homelessness found across decades, as well as more recently identified and nuanced precursors to individual or family displacement. The goal of this work was to summarize what is known about predictors of homelessness to inform targeted research, practice, and policies.