title: Network collaboration of organisations for homeless individuals in the Montreal region.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We know little about the intensity and determinants of interorganisational collaboration within the homeless network. This study describes the characteristics and relationships (along with the variables predicting their degree of interorganisational collaboration) of 68 organisations of such a network in Montreal (Quebec, Canada).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected primarily through a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive analyses were conducted followed by social network and multivariate analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Montreal homeless network has a high density (50.5%) and a decentralised structure and maintains a mostly informal collaboration with the public and cross-sectorial sectors. The network density showed more frequent contacts among four types of organisations which could point to the existence of cliques. Four variables predicted interorganisational collaboration: organisation type, number of services offered, volume of referrals and satisfaction with the relationships with public organisations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Montreal homeless network seems adequate to address non-complex homelessness problems. Considering, however, that most homeless individuals present chronic and complex profiles, it appears necessary to have a more formal and better integrated network of homeless organisations, particularly in the health and social service sectors, in order to improve services.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and Researcher, Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Canada.
authors: Marie-Josée
authors: MJ
authors: Fleury
authors: Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Canada.
authors: Guy
authors: G
authors: Grenier
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal and Researcher, Fernand-Seguin Research Centre, L-H Lafontaine Hospital, Montréal, Canada.
authors: Alain
authors: A
authors: Lesage
authors: Fernand-Seguin Research Centre, L-H Lafontaine Hospital, Montreal, Canada.
authors: Nan
authors: N
authors: Ma
authors: Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Canada.
authors: André Ngamini
authors: AN
authors: Ngui
keywords: determinants; homelessness; interorganisational collaboration; network