Contrasts in Religion, Community, and Structure at Three Homeless Shelters

The purpose of this study was to compare the coping strategies between homeless women with dependent children and homeless women without dependent children. Of the 192 homeless women in this study, 64 were mothers whose dependent children lived with them, and 132 were women who did not have dependent children living with them. The women were recruited from homeless shelters in Georgia, in the Metro Atlanta area and surrounding counties. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to test the differences between both groups using their scores on the Coping Strategies Inventory scales survey instrument (problem-solving skills, problem reframing, and ability to access social networks). Univariate analysis was used to look at each dependent variable. There was no statistical difference in coping strategies between both groups. The conclusions from this study suggest continued research regarding the benefit of coping strategies among homeless populations.

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Patterns and Intensity of Use of Homeless Shelters in Toronto

Canadian Public Policy ◽

10.3138/cpp.2018-013 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 44 (4) ◽

pp. 342-355 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ali Jadidzadeh ◽

Ron Kneebone

Keyword(s):

Homeless Shelters

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The Need to Give and the Need to Receive: Volunteerism in Homeless Shelters

Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment ◽

10.1080/10911350903269914 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 272-288

Author(s):

Brad W. Lundahl ◽

Lesly Wicks

Keyword(s):

Homeless Shelters ◽

To Receive

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The local state and homeless shelters: Beyond revanchism?

Cities ◽

10.1016/j.cities.2005.08.004 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 109-120 ◽

Cited By ~ 84

Author(s):

Geoffrey DeVerteuil

Keyword(s):

Local State ◽

Homeless Shelters

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Identifying Discrete Subgroups of Chronically Homeless Frequent Utilizers of Jail and Public Mental Health Services

Criminal Justice and Behavior ◽

10.1177/0093854816680838 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 44 (4) ◽

pp. 511-530 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Courtney S. Harding ◽

Caterina G. Roman

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Unmet Need ◽

Public Mental Health ◽

The United States ◽

Public Institutions ◽

Homeless Shelters ◽

Mental Health Systems ◽

Discrete Subgroups ◽

Public Mental Health Services ◽

Current Mood

A sizable group of individuals in the United States cycle in and out of jails, prisons, mental health hospitals, homeless shelters, and other expensive public institutions over time. This little-studied population represents significant unmet need and the inadequacy of services for complex consumers. The current study examined a sample ( N = 161) of chronically homeless frequent utilizers of jail and mental health systems in Chicago, Illinois. Cluster analysis was used to differentiate the sample into four reliable subgroups based on measures for prior homelessness, jail incarcerations, mental health hospitalizations, poor current mood, and limitations due to physical health. Logistic regression revealed that clusters differed significantly on reincarceration at 6 months postrelease. Implications for programming and policy for each cluster are discussed, including suggestions for targeting services to distinguishing characteristics for each subgroup. These findings argue for the importance of coordinating efforts across services systems to better identify and serve shared clients.

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Shelter Characteristics, Infection Prevention Practices, and Universal Testing for SARS-CoV-2 at Homeless Shelters in 7 US Urban Areas

American Journal of Public Health ◽

10.2105/ajph.2021.306198 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. e1-e6

Author(s):

Julie L. Self ◽

Martha P. Montgomery ◽

Karrie-Ann Toews ◽

Elizabeth A. Samuels ◽

Elizabeth Imbert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

Infection Prevention ◽

The United States ◽

Homeless Shelters ◽

Infection Prevalence ◽

Universal Testing ◽

Modifiable Factors ◽

High Infection ◽

Sleeping Arrangements ◽

Risk Ratios

Objectives. To examine shelter characteristics and infection prevention practices in relation to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection point prevalence during universal testing at homeless shelters in the United States. Methods. SARS-CoV-2 testing was offered to clients and staff at homeless shelters, irrespective of symptoms. Site assessments were conducted from March 30 to June 1, 2020, to collect information on shelter characteristics and infection prevention practices. We assessed the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence and shelter characteristics, including 20 infection prevention practices by using crude risk ratios (RRs) and exact unconditional 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results. Site assessments and SARS-CoV-2 testing results were reported for 63 homeless shelters in 7 US urban areas. Median infection prevalence was 2.9% (range = 0%–71.4%). Shelters implementing head-to-toe sleeping and excluding symptomatic staff from working were less likely to have high infection prevalence (RR = 0.5; 95% CI = 0.3, 0.8; and RR = 0.5; 95% CI = 0.4, 0.6; respectively); shelters with medical services available were less likely to have very high infection prevalence (RR = 0.5; 95% CI = 0.2, 1.0). Conclusions. Sleeping arrangements and staffing policies are modifiable factors that might be associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence in homeless shelters. Shelters should follow recommended practices to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print March 18, 2021: e1–e6. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306198 )

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The Involvement of Business Elites in the Management of Homelessness: Towards a Privatization of Service Provision for Homeless People?

Urban Affairs Review ◽

10.1177/10780874211073882 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 107808742110738

Author(s):

Antonin Margier

Keyword(s):

Private Sector ◽

Public Space ◽

Homeless People ◽

The United States ◽

Homeless Shelters ◽

Public Authorities ◽

Business Elites ◽

Outreach Programs ◽

Urban Elites ◽

Property Owners

Although the influence of local urban elites on urban planning is well established in urban studies and geography, the ways in which business and property owners take part in the management of homelessness has received far less attention. This article focuses on Portland (OR) in the United States as a means of understanding the motivations that underlie the role of the private sector and its impact on public policies. To this end, I focus on the support by Portland's downtown Business Improvement District of homeless outreach programs, and on the funding of two homeless shelters by business elites / philanthropists. I argue that although public authorities have different views on the actions to be taken to end homelessness, business elites often manage to bring initially-reluctant public authorities to support their projects in what might be termed a forced-march cooperation. I also highlight the versatility of the private sector and business elites’ participation in homelessness management, given that the outreach programs they support and the homeless facilities they fund provide services for the homeless while simultaneously removing them from visible public space. In this sense, the involvement of business and property owners is also a way for them to protect their own interests.

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