Causes Of Homelessness Research Articles

Understanding the Population of People Experiencing Homelessness in Cape Town and their Service Use

Cape Town, South Africa, has an estimated 14,357 people living on the street or in temporary shelters. Current responses to homelessness are either punitive—focusing on law enforcement and displacement—or compassionate, offering basic relief like food or handouts. Neither approach is effectively addressing the root causes of homelessness, and the number of homeless individuals continues to rise. This paper advocates for a developmental approach that provides structured support to help people exit homelessness. There is limited knowledge about the causes of homelessness in South Africa, the services utilized by those affected, and the kind of support needed for sustainable solutions. To address this gap, a survey of 350 homeless individuals in Cape Town was conducted, gathering data on demographics, service use, income sources, health, substance use, and interactions with legal systems. The results reveal that the average duration of homelessness is 8.6 years, with over 70% of respondents experiencing homelessness for more than a year. The main causes of homelessness were identified as structural issues such as lack of income, housing access, and loss of family support. Only 11% of participants were in temporary shelters, and their average daily income was around R78 (about $4 USD). Substance use disorders were prevalent, affecting 63% of respondents, while 54% reported being arrested at least once during their experiencing homelessness. Most had not accessed developmental services, highlighting a critical gap in support. If the current approach persists, homelessness will worsen, with more individuals becoming entrenched in chronic homelessness. A shift towards a developmental approach is urgently needed, focusing on personalized support, affordable housing, rehabilitation, psychosocial services, and employment programs to facilitate a meaningful exit from homelessness.

Cardiovascular disease management and healthcare delivery for people experiencing homelessness: a scoping review

BackgroundPeople experiencing homelessness have increased prevalence, morbidity, and mortality of cardiovascular disease (CVD), attributable to several traditional and non-traditional risk factors. While this burden is well-known, mainstream CVD management plans and healthcare delivery have not been developed with people experiencing homelessness in mind nor tailored to their unique context. The overall objective of this work was to explore and synthesize what is known about CVD management experiences, programs, interventions, and/or recommendations specifically for people experiencing homelessness.MethodsWe conducted a scoping review to combine qualitative and quantitative studies in a single review using the Arksey and O’Malley framework and lived experience participation. We performed a comprehensive search of OVID Medline, Embase, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, Social Sciences Index, Cochrane, and the grey literature with key search terms for homelessness, cardiovascular disease, and programs. All dates, geographic locations, and study designs were included. Articles were analyzed using conventional content analysis.ResultsWe included 37 articles in this review. Most of the work was done in the USA. We synthesized articles’ findings into 1) barriers/challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness and their providers with CVD management and care delivery (competing priorities, lifestyle challenges, medication adherence, access to care, and discrimination), 2) seven international programs/interventions that have been developed for people experiencing homelessness and CVD management with learnings, and 3) practical recommendations and possible solutions at the patient encounter level (relationships, appointment priorities, lifestyle, medication), clinic organization level (scheduling, location, equipment, and multi-disciplinary partnership), and systems level (root cause of homelessness, and cultural safety).ConclusionsThere is no ‘one-size-fits all’ approach to CVD management for people experiencing homelessness, and it is met with complexity, diversity, and intersectionality based on various contexts. It is clear, however, we need to move to more practically-implemented, community-driven solutions with lived experience and community partnership at the core. Future work includes tackling the root cause of homelessness with affordable housing, exploring ways to bring cardiac specialist care to the community, and investigating the role of digital technology as an avenue for CVD management in the homeless community. We hope this review is valuable in providing knowledge gaps and future direction for health care providers, health services research teams, and community organizations.

Reclaimed Voices: The Silent Impact of Women’s Experiences of Homelessness

Background: Homelessness is a rising crisis that affects hundreds of thousands of individuals in America; but affects women differently than men. The experiences women face while homeless can translate into traumatic experiences and profoundly shape an individual's story of homelessness. These experiences prompt a need to change the systems that contribute to homelessness. Purpose: This study aims to highlight trauma across women's experiences of homelessness. Methods: Data collection for this research was conducted through qualitative interviews with eight women experiencing homelessness in Modesto, California. NVivo, a qualitative data analysis software, was used to format the interviews, identifying common code words that developed into overlapping themes. Results: The eight interviews of women experiencing homelessness identified core emerging themes of causes of homelessness, fear of loneliness, quality, and type of available services, perception of homelessness, and an understanding of the societal constructs of homelessness and gender. This research confirmed that some women experiencing homelessness are less likely to report traumatic experiences and seek support from their local social service community providers. The limitations of the smaller sample size only captured a small scale of the problem being analyzed to a potentially larger issue. Conclusion: Services should begin focusing on asking more trauma-informed questions, not only to improve care but to allow more women experiencing homelessness the chance to seek help; this is the only way to begin understanding how their traumatic experiences have impacted their livelihood.

Empathy helps, dehumanization harms: Beliefs about the causes of homelessness are (in)directly related to intentions to help and harm those who are unhoused

AbstractHomelessness is a complex social issue that can be attributed to a constellation of dispositional, situational, and health‐related causes. The extent to which these causal attributions are associated with the treatment of individuals experiencing homelessness, however, is not well understood. The current study addressed this gap by exploring the extent to which individual beliefs about the causes of homelessness were associated with intentions to help as well as endorsements of restrictions and legalistic harm aimed at those who are unhoused. Results demonstrated that structural and dispositional, but not health, attributions were associated with helpful and hurtful behaviors. Further, a structural equation model revealed that these effects were explained, in part, by empathy for and the dehumanization of individuals experiencing homelessness. Attributions were most clearly associated with intentions to help via empathy and endorsements of harm via distinct forms (animalistic and mechanistic) of dehumanization. Theoretical implications pertaining to Attribution Theory of Emotion and Motivation and the practical implications for improving the treatment of and support for individuals experiencing homelessness are also discussed.

Case Study: Understanding and Responding to Homelessness Crisis in Chilliwack

This paper presents an in-depth discussion on the breakdown of government programs over the last few decades that have eroded the low-to-middle income housing stock and ballooned housing unaffordability in BC with a focus on Chilliwack. The goals of this paper are twofold, and they include: (1) unpack the causes of homelessness and its implications; (2) examine the current responses to the homelessness crisis. Most of the data collection done to support this analysis is drawn from current news stories and government websites so that the most up-to-date and impactful happenings are incorporated. This article examines the root causes of homelessness followed by the highlights of existing solution efforts and gaps in programs and policies using a case example of Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada. This paper briefly discusses the recommendations and next step to address the homelessness crisis in BC with a focus on Chilliwack.

The Power, Capacity, and Resiliency of Women in Substance Use Disorder Recovery to Overcome Multiple and Complex Housing Transitions

Gendered understandings of housing transitions amongst women and especially amongst those in substance use disorder recovery are under-researched. To address this gap, this study explores the multifaceted challenges and pathways to housing stability amongst women in substance use disorder recovery in the UK. Through qualitative analysis of life course interviews with 15 women in recovery, it becomes evident that housing insecurity, instability, and frequent transitions are common experiences. The women in the sample faced housing instability, ranging from temporary supported accommodations to homelessness. Notably, escaping negative relationships with male partners emerged as a primary cause of homelessness among these women. What this article highlights, which has not been found elsewhere to date, is that housing transitions are essentially a social process for women in recovery. This study highlights the social dimension of housing transitions. The potency of social capital and social networks in determining housing stability and security amongst women is emphasised as they exchange negative forms of social capital for positive forms of social capital. Recommendations stemming from this study include the need for drug recovery and housing policies to integrate gender-specific strategies to adequately support women in recovery. Further, they need to adopt a broader perspective, emphasizing the importance of fostering positive social connections and networks when considering housing options for individuals in recovery. For women who have spent a long time in supported residential and therapeutic environments, there is a need to develop a scaffolded support system to help women transition to independent living. The utilisation of recovery capital (and CHIME) as frameworks may provide a basis upon which to map out holistic and sustainable pathways to housing stability and security for women in recovery due to their acknowledgement of interconnected and related life domains that produce change and transformation.

Estimating the Rates of Undiagnosed Prediabetes and Diabetes Among People Experiencing Homelessness

ObjectivesThe rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Canada poses a significant health challenge. Despite the convenience of screening for diabetes with glycated hemoglobin (A1C) concentration, people experiencing homelessness (PEH) often face barriers to accessing diabetes screening, potentially leading to underdiagnosis. In this study, we aim to assess the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes among PEH in Calgary, Alberta, and contribute insights for planning health-care services and public health initiatives. MethodsFour screening clinics were held, and participants were recruited through posters and word of mouth. Participants underwent point-of-care A1C testing using the Siemens DCA Vantage point-of-care analyzer. Descriptive statistics were used to identify the proportions of prediabetes and diabetes, whereas CANRISK survey scores were used to identify the pre-test probability of diabetes. ResultsThe mean age of participants (n=102) was 47.6 years, and the self-reported causes of homelessness among the participants were diverse, including housing and financial issues (n=53), interpersonal and family issues (n=35), and health- or corrections-related factors (n=27). The average A1C was 5.60% (standard deviation 0.57%), with 5 values in the diabetes range and 12 in the prediabetes range, for a total of 17 participants found to have previously undiagnosed dysglycemia. ConclusionsThe high rate of undiagnosed prediabetes and diabetes among PEH reflects at least what is already seen in the general population in Canada. More resources are required to reduce the barriers to screening for diabetes among this population.

Factors determining the quality of life of homeless people staying in support centers for people in the crisis of homelessness. Pilot study

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to discuss the issues of the homelessness crisis and to present the assessment of the quality of life of people experiencing a homelessness crisis, taking into account various aspects of life and everyday functioning.MethodsThis was a pilot cross- sectional study carried out using an anonymous survey. The author’s questionnaire, the WHOQOL-Bref scale and the Beck depression scale were used. From among the support centers for people in the homelessness crisis operating in the city of Poznań, the 2 largest centers were selected. The obtained results were based on the statistical analysis of the collected data.ResultsThe study group consisted only of people in the crisis of homelessness staying at the support centers at the time of the study. The analysis included data from 114 people, including 28 (24.6%) women. The youngest participant was 21 and the oldest 76 years old. The average period of homelessness was 86 months. 55.3% of respondents showed symptoms of depression. The main cause of homelessness was their family situation (59.6%), financial problems (36.0%) and the need to leave the apartment (13.2%). Abuse of alcohol before the homelessness crisis was reported by 96 (84.2%) respondents. The WHOQOL– Bref questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life. The psychological domain was rated the highest (62.09 ± 16.94 points, the lowest somatic domain (53.25 ± 18.71 points). The quality of life of homeless people was positively related to their economic situation, depression and health status. It was shown that sex, age and education had no influence (p > 0.05) on the assessment of the quality of life of people experiencing the crisis of homelessness.ConclusionsThe economic situation is the main factor affecting the quality of life within the psychological and social domain. Health status is the main factor affecting the quality of life within the somatic and environmental domain. The biggest dream of the respondents was to have a flat and improve their financial situation.

A Review on Global Homelessness: An Attempt to Understand the Phenomenon in the Nigerian Context

This paper examines global perspectives on homelessness and contributes to scientific knowledge in this area. The work is motivated by my academic and research background particularly my doctoral dissertation. It examines the concept, nature and theories of homelessness from a global perspective to create an understanding of the phenomenon in the Nigerian context. The study reflects the conceptual complexity of homelessness in the light of the criteria that are used to define adequate housing worldwide. It reflects different theoretical dimensions of the study of homelessness including homelessness as a personal pathology, homelessness as a structural dysfunctionality and homelessness as a combination of both. It emphasises the importance of field, recognitionand structuration theories in understanding homelessness. It also highlights the importance of the five structures of ‘relational model’ and ‘critical realism’ in understanding the mechanism of the emergence of homelessness in Nigeria and concludes with some relevant facts and findings.The study examines homelessness in global and local contexts to examine the conceptualisation and theoretical framework of homelessness along with related findings in a multifaceted sense to understand the phenomenon from different perspectives. The literature is reviewed considering the relevant conceptual background, applied theories, arguments and relevant findings. The study reveals the conceptual and theoretical diversity and reflects on the complexity, heterogeneity and dynamics of the phenomenon around the globe. The conceptual diversity of the phenomenon is a factor of the dynamic theoretical frameworks. They range from personal pathologies to structuraldysfunctionalities to new orthodox and critical realism. In Nigeria, the problem is more structurally influenced than personally influenced. The duality of agency in structuration theory, the (4) model structure and the field of structural relations expand the understanding of the causes of homelessness in Nigeria.

Homeless people: Images and imaginaries

This article argues that the construction of social imaginaries around homelessness, which usually focus on the individual variables involved in situations of exclusion, have given way to a broader understanding of homelessness as part of a process of residential exclusion of structural scope. However, both imaginaries, that of the individual causes and that of the structural causes of homelessness, struggle in social practice. Thus, we start from the idea that the different social imaginaries around homelessness are related, in a dialectic way, with the images, produced by different media, of situations in which life in public space is susceptible to be scrutinized in its daily life.In this sense, our analysis of the photographs taken by the journalist Rafa Arjones in the city of Alicante (Spain), between 2002 and 2020, has as its main objectives (Meert and et al., 2004) [1] to reveal these relationships (Rubio-Martín, 2017) [2], to describe which imaginaries may be influencing the production of images on homele02222ssness and (Caeiro and y Gonçalves, 2015) [3] to reveal how the photographer reproduces or questions them throughout the period studied. To achieve these objectives, our analysis is based on a comprehensive Weberian sociology and a hermeneutic/interpretative methodology that attempts to reveal the inner meaning of the photographic images from the external ideological discourse.The findings of our study point to a shift in the photographs analysed, from an approach to homelessness that highlights individual situations to one that seeks contradiction and a focus on the structural problem of access to housing. This is in line with wider social changes that may be occurring in imaginaries of homelessness.

Selected areas of the homelessness problem in Poland. Literature review

The article is the literature review on selected aspects of homelessness and describes areas such as: definitions and causes of homelessness, helping homeless people, experiences of people helping them and postulated recommendations regarding help. The article also presents the issue of family, mental and material situation as well as places where homeless people stay.

Homelessness in Sierra Leone: An Overview of Social Work Intervention in Helping Homeless Population

The article looks at the key causes of the rise in homelessness as well as Social Work intervention strategies in helping homeless people in Freetown. In many nations, homelessness has been a long-standing social issue. How to help homeless individuals live independently is a dilemma encountered by those who work and volunteer in homeless shelters. The study looked at problems with homelessness among children, teens, adults, the elderly, women, and veterans over the previous years in this brief study. According to the findings, family circumstances, housing, unemployment, and mental illness are the main causes of homelessness. Initial instances of these issues result in homelessness, which in turn makes them worse. Effective community interventions and policies are needed to prevent and reduce homelessness, including drug rehabilitation facilities job support, and affordable housing.

Domestic Violence Housing First Model and Association With Survivors’ Housing Stability, Safety, and Well-being Over 2 Years

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a leading cause of homelessness and a serious threat to public health and well-being. To determine whether the Domestic Violence Housing First (DVHF) model improves safety, housing stability, and mental health over 2 years. This longitudinal comparative effectiveness study interviewed IPV survivors and reviewed their agency records. All unstably housed or homeless IPV survivors entering domestic violence (DV) services were eligible to participate in the study, ensuring capture of typical variability in service delivery (eg, some survivors would enter services when agencies had the capacity to provide DVHF and others would receive services as usual [SAU]). Clients from 5 DV agencies (3 rural and 2 urban) referred by agency staff in a Pacific Northwest state of the United States were assessed between July 17, 2017, and July 16, 2021. Interviews were conducted in English or Spanish at entry into services (baseline) and at 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month follow-up visits. The DVHF model was compared with SAU. The baseline sample included 406 survivors (92.7% of 438 eligible). Of the 375 participants retained at the 6-month follow-up (92.4% retention), 344 had received services and had complete data across all outcomes. Three hundred sixty-three participants (89.4%) were retained at the 24-month follow-up. The DVHF model has 2 components: housing-inclusive advocacy and flexible funding. Main outcomes included housing stability, safety, and mental health, which were assessed using standardized measures. Of the 344 participants (mean [SD] age, 34.6 [9.0] years) included in the analyses, 219 (63.7%) received DVHF and 125 (36.3%) received SAU. Most participants identified as female (334 [97.1%]) and heterosexual (299 [86.9%]). Two hundred twenty-one participants (64.2%) were from a racial and ethnic minority group. Longitudinal linear mixed-effects models showed that receiving SAU was associated with greater housing instability (mean difference, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.42-1.14]), DV exposure (mean difference, 0.15 [95% CI, 0.05-0.26]), depression (mean difference, 1.35 [95% CI, 0.27-2.43]), anxiety (mean difference, 1.15 [95% CI, 0.11-2.19]), and posttraumatic stress disorder (mean difference, 0.54 [95% CI, 0.04-1.04]) compared with receiving the DVHF model. Evidence in this comparative effectiveness study suggests that the DVHF model was more effective than SAU in improving the housing stability, safety, and mental health of survivors of IPV. The DVHF's amelioration of all of these interconnected public health issues-relatively quickly and with long-term continuance-will be of substantial interest to DV agencies and others working to support unstably housed IPV survivors.

Policing of Homelessness and Opportunities for Reform in Montreal

Police in North America face a public crisis of confidence and pressure to reduce interactions with socially vulnerable persons, such as people experiencing homelessness. Police contact with homeless persons, however, is driven in part by structural and policy factors beyond officers’ control, as well as demand from some members of the public. In this qualitative study, we examine police officers’ understanding of the causes of homelessness, their role in policing homeless persons, and their attitudes towards reform. Data were collected from 24 officers in Montreal via semi-structured interviews. Our results uncover evidence that officers understand the structural roots of homelessness, despite pathologizing some homeless persons they interact with. Though officers express support for expanding opportunities for housing and the role of non-profit organizations, they do not imagine a world without policing of persons experiencing homelessness. Finally, they express a strong sense that the public drive most police–homeless interactions and even constrain opportunities for non-punitive interactions.

Community Acceptance of, and Opposition to, Homeless-Serving Facilities

Under what conditions will the public accept homeless-serving housing and social service facilities in their neighborhood? In this paper, we answer this question through a basic descriptive statistical analysis of a brief survey (respondent n=251) and a thematic analysis of seven focus groups with residents of San Diego, California (participant n=34). We find that although residents were not categorically opposed to such facilities, their support was contingent on a particular approach to addressing homelessness, often rooted in misperceptions of the causes of homelessness. Participants classified people experiencing homelessness (PEH) into “deserving” and “undeserving” groups based on these perceptions. Attitudes towards homeless-serving facilities were also shaped by a belief that what is needed most are services such as substance abuse treatment, mental health services, or job training; they focused less on the need to house people who are currently unsheltered. Study participants also took a paternalistic approach to policy design, focusing on rules and regulations to force PEH to make “good” decisions. Participants recognized homelessness as a pressing social problem and were willing to consider homeless-serving facilities in their community. However, their attitudes and beliefs limited which facilities they would support, and under what circumstances.

AN ANALYSIS OF HOMELESSNESS IN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: POLICY IMPLICATIONS

This study analyzed the perceived causes of homelessness in United States of America, characteristics of homelessness in United States of America by family types, percentage of people experiencing homelessness by community setting to assist policymakers to develop programs and policy frameworks to address homeless issues across the country (USA). Homelessness affects the entire country. Homelessness is not someone else’s issue but national in scope. The issue of homelessness has a ripple effect throughout the community. It impacts the availability of healthcare resources, crime and safety, the workforce, and the use of tax dollars. Further, homelessness impacts the present as well as the future growth of the nation. Above all, the knowledge of homelessness benefits all of us to break the cycle of homelessness, one person, one family at a time. Therefore, in order to assist policymakers to effectively tackle the issue of homelessness, the study adopted a descriptive research design to analyze the policy issue of homelessness in United States of America. The data source for the study analysis came from the 2021 Census data, the 2022 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the National Alliance to END HOMELESSNESS. The study revealed that most of the homeless peoples were individuals without families and children (i.e. 70 percent), and the rest were people living in families with children. Also, the study further revealed in the homelessness dataset that males are far more likely to experience homelessness than their female counterparts. That is, out of every 10,000 males, 22 are homeless (representing a total male homeless population of 352,211), while for women and girls, that number is 13 homeless (representing a total female homeless population of 223,578). In addition, the homelessness historical data revealed that marginalized groups are more likely to be disadvantaged within housing and homelessness spheres. It also revealed that higher unemployment rates, lower incomes, less access to healthcare, and higher incarceration rates are some of the likely factors that contribute to higher rates of homelessness among people of color, and marginalized groups. Also, historically marginalized racial groups are far more likely to experience homelessness as a result of segregation and discrimination in employment and housing, among other things. The study strongly recommends that the federal government should create more programs and employment opportunities that will give equal opportunities to all. The study further recommends that by taking into consideration programs that will create more affordable houses, and to also take care of both natural shocks (i.e. hurricanes, fire outbreaks, etc.), and human shocks (i.e. domestic abuse) will go a long way to help the country minimize the homelessness rate. Keywords : Homelessness, Marginalized, Housing, Sheltered, Policymakers, Discrimination, Unsheltered, Poverty, Unemployment, Programs DOI: 10.7176/IAGS/98-05 Publication date: March 31 st 2023

Mapping Homelessness Research in Canada

ABSTRACT What is known about homelessness in Canada? In this article, we present the results of a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed research produced on homelessness in Canada, in English and French, since 2000. We seek to map this literature in an effort at understanding how homelessness has been studied by researchers and to identify potential gaps in this impressive body of literature. The literature review included a two-stage process. First, we analyzed almost 1000 articles specifically regarding homelessness according to title, journal, and case. Then, we conducted a qualitative abstract analysis of 251 papers written by the ten most prolific scholars of homelessness research, analyzing the research question, methods, and recommendations. We find that the majority of research on homelessness in Canada has been in large cities (Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal). Research is often conducted in comparative perspective, though there have been fewer international comparisons, and often from a public health or medical science perspective. We argue that social scientists have a lot to contribute to this field of study by analyzing the structural and political causes of homelessness, and that researchers should study small, mid-sized, northern, and rural communities in their studies as well as big cities.

A Qualıtatıve Research On The Socıal Lıfe Of Houseless Indıvıduals: “The Case Of Turkey”

Evsizlik sorunu Dünyada bütün toplumlarda görülen sosyal bir mesele haline gelmiştir. Özellikle Batıda evsizlik sorununun çözümlenebilmesi için bilimsel alanda birçok proje ve araştırma bulunmaktadır. Türkiye’de özellikle büyük şehirlerde etkisi giderek artan evsizlik olgusu üzerine yapılan araştırmalar üç il ile sınırlıdır. Araştırmaların farklı disiplinler düzeyinde yaygınlaştırılması gerekmektedir. Evsizlik olgusunun anlaşılabilmesi için kadın, erkek, çocuk, genç, yetişkin, yaşlı evsizliği üzerine bilimsel çalışmalar yapılmalıdır. Bu araştırmada Türkiye’de yapılan tez düzeyindeki çalışmalar doküman analizi kapsamında değerlendirilmiştir. Değerlendirmeler sonucunda evsizliğin temel sebeplerinin aile temelli ilişkiler ile ekonomi temelli sorunlar olduğu anlaşılmıştır. Yapılan çalışmaların sınırlı olması evsizliğin sosyal bağlamının anlaşılmasını da zorlaştırmaktadır. Evsizlik sorununun giderek artan sosyal bir mesele olmasının önlenmesi için evsizlik çalışmalarının yaygınlaştırılması gerekmektedir.

Determinants of Causal Attributions of Homelessness in Croatia

Homelessness is one of the most difficult social issues, and people who have experienced homelessness are often exposed to stigmatisation and negative public perception. Public perception of homeless people also depends on how citizens interpret and what they attribute the causes of homelessness to. Therefore, this paper is aimed at verifying the causal attributions of homelessness based on Weiner’s three-dimensional attribution model. The aim of the research was to examine the determinants of causal attributions of homelessness regarding certain sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics and attitudes towards homeless people. The research was conducted on a representative sample of citizens of the Republic of Croatia (n=1 010). The results showed that, on average, the citizens mostly attribute the causes of homelessness to factors related to the circumstances of a person’s life and the broader social context. Differences were found in certain sociodemographic characteristics, whereby women attribute the causes of homelessness more often to the circumstances of a person’s life and the broader social context, while participants with lower socioeconomic status attribute the causes of homelessness more often to structural factors. The results also point out regional differences in attributing the causes of homelessness to different factors. With regard to the attitude towards homeless people, it was found that participants who attribute the causes of homelessness to factors within the broader social context more also perceive homeless people more positively, considering that the state should take greater responsibility in caring for homeless people, and expressing more willingness to help homeless people. The results can contribute to a more effective development and implementation of intervention and policies aimed at sensitising the public regarding the issue and prevention of homelessness. Key words: attribution theory, homelessness, causal attributions, public opinion.

The key factors contributing to the persistence of homelessness

ABSTRACT Homelessness is a long-standing social problem in many countries. People who work and volunteer in homeless shelters struggle with the question of how to help homeless people lead an independent life. We sought to answer this question using insights obtained from Google Scholar literature searches and personal experiences with homeless people. In this brief research, we explored the main causes of homelessness in the United States for children, youth, adults, elderly, women, and veterans, over the past decade. The results showed that the three leading causes of homelessness were substance abuse, domestic violence, and mental illness. These problems lead to the initial homelessness, and in turn, homelessness further exacerbates these problems. Preventing and reducing homelessness requires effective policies and community interventions, such as rehabilitation facilities for people with substance abuse, job placement assistance and accommodation for homeless people, and homeless camps in designated areas to serve as bases to help homeless people rebuild their lives. Solving the issue of homelessness will contribute to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.