title: Losing work: regional unemployment and its effect on homeless demographic characteristics, needs, and health care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Who becomes homeless because of unemployment and what they need are poorly understood.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four-year time-series study. Homeless characteristics, co-morbid conditions, and needs are correlated with unemployment rates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The unemployment rate averaged 6.7% during years 1-2 (N=198) and 11.8% during years 3-4 (N=202). Those presenting during high unemployment worked most recently in clerical positions (10.4% vs. 4.5%, p= .02) and reported unemployment (OR=2.0; 95% CI; 1.07, 3.76) and unaffordable housing (28.7% vs. 15.2%; p<.01) causing homelessness. Those reporting unemployment were more likely to be local residents (OR=2.1; CI=1.01, 4.53), but less likely to have family support (OR=0.4; CI=0.19, 0.87). While comparable proportions reported mental health conditions and received care, more high unemployment individuals reported needing additional care (59.9% vs. 42.9%; p<.001) and that this was necessary for leaving homelessness (58.9% vs. 44.1%; p=.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High unemployment expands the population vulnerable to homelessness and influences health care needs and social needs.
authors: Colin
authors: C
authors: Burke
authors: Erin E
authors: EE
authors: Johnson
authors: Claire
authors: C
authors: Bourgault
authors: Matthew
authors: M
authors: Borgia
authors: Thomas P
authors: TP
authors: O'Toole
mesh_terms: D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D057566:Self Report; D014478:Unemployment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*