Homelessness in America: A Reference Handbook

✍ Scribed by Michele Wakin

• Publisher: ABC-CLIO
• Year: 2022
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 394
• Series: Contemporary World Issues
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

There are a number of questions to be answered when addressing the subject of homelessness in the United States. What are the primary causes of homelessness? What are the economic and socioeconomic factors that have an impact on homeless people? What demographic trends can be identified in homeless populations? Is the U.S. addressing the needs and concerns of homeless people adequately? Where are the areas with the highest homeless populations? What can be done to help homeless people who live with mental illness and/or addiction problems?

Homelessness in America: A Reference Handbook answers all of these questions and more. It thoroughly examines the history of homelessness in the U.S., shining a light on the key issues, events, policies, and attitudes that contribute to homelessness and shape the experience of being homeless. It places special emphasis on exploring the myriad problems that force people into homelessness, such as inadequate levels of affordable housing, struggles with substance abuse, and gaps in the U.S.' social welfare system. In addition, it explains why some demographic groups are at heightened risk of homelessness.

✦ Table of Contents

Cover
Half Title
Series
Title
Copyright
Dedication
Contents
Preface
1 Background and History
Overview of Crisis Points
Crisis Point #1: The Great Depression
The New Deal and the Common Man
A Period of Transition
Crisis Point #2: The 1980s
New Homelessness
Trends in Social Welfare Investment
Federal Homeless Legislation
Counting the Homeless Population
Crisis Point #3: The Bush Economy and the Great Recession
The Continuum of Care
Who Is Homeless in This Era?
Conclusion
References
2 Problems, Controversies, and Solutions
The Stigma of Homelessness
Current Homeless Population Trends
Combating Homelessness in a Recession
Criminalization and Other Punitive “Solutions” for Homelessness
Constitutional Considerations
The Right to Sleep
The Boise Decision
Shortages of Affordable Housing
Motels as Shelter in Massachusetts
Welfare and Homelessness
Welfare and Work
AFDC to TANF
The COVID-19 Crisis
Conclusion
References
3 Perspectives
Shut the Front Door: Welfare Reform and Homeless Mothers
Struggles and Strengths
Increasing Educational Access and Success for Students Experiencing Homelessness
Housing for Homeless Students: A Statewide Pilot
Place Character and Making Space for People Experiencing Homelessness
Law and Homelessness
Saving Lives: A Coordinated Response to COVID-19
Housing First: Ending Homelessness and Supporting Social Integration
4 Profiles
Government Organizations
U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
U.S. Department of Labor: Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP)
U.S. Department of Education (ED)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
National Organizations
National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty (NLCHP)
National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH)
National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH)
National Low-Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC)
National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY)
The Urban Institute
Individual Profiles
Alice Solenberger
Nels Anderson
Cushing Dolbeare
Martha R. Burt
Maria Foscarinis
Rosanne Haggerty
References
5 Data and Documents
The Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress
Table 5.1: States with the Largest Homeless Populations
The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness
Out of Reach: National Low-Income Housing Coalition
Table 5.2: Affordability Data for Basic Housing
Housing Not Handcuffs: National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty
Table 5.3: Common Homeless Offenses: Laws Enacted in Sample Cities
The Violence Against Women Act
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act
References
6 Resources
7 Chronology
Glossary
Index