title: [Shelters for homeless women: more than just a roof].
abstract: Until today, research on the homeless has mainly focused on the characteristics of this transient population and on the factors that have contributed to transience. However, there is little available information on the role of shelters in the distribution of services. This article is based on a study of women who have kept in contact with a shelter for homeless women after having left. It looks at the main characteristics of these women and at the types of links they have maintained. Results tend to show that: (1) the function of shelters for the homeless is not simply limited to providing lodging; (2) these shelters are part of the social resources of this transient population; (3) it is crucial that the services offered by these shelters be better known, and that they be recognized as essential partners in the planning of services, including in the case of homeless women who suffer from mental health problems.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Racine
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D016352:Group Homes / Q000592:standards*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011792:Quebec; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012944:Social Support; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*
vernacular_title: Les maisons d'hébergement pour femmes sans abri: plus qu'un toit.