title: Family homelessness: state or trait?
abstract: Compares conceptualizations of homelessness as a temporary state through which people pass or a permanent trait that emanates from individual characteristics. Evidence from a longitudinal study of 564 homeless families in New York City and additional secondary sources supports the view that for families, homelessness is a temporary state that is resolved by the provision of subsidized housing. Even for single individuals with severe mental disturbances, housing is a key factor in ending homelessness, although here there is more evidence that social services also contribute. Policy implications are that governments should take a more active role in reducing homelessness by providing access to subsidized housing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, New York University, New York 10003, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shinn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009519:New York City; D011247:Pregnancy; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011638:Public Housing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012947:Social Work; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data