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Changes in the Composition of the Homeless Population: 1992–2002
Author(s) -
Israel Nathaniel,
Toro Paul A.,
Ouellette Nicole
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
american journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.113
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1573-2770
pISSN - 0091-0562
DOI - 10.1007/s10464-010-9326-9
Subject(s) - health psychology , public health , psychology , population , composition (language) , environmental health , gerontology , medicine , nursing , philosophy , linguistics
This study examines changes in the characteristics of the homeless population before and after a period of extended economic expansion (1992–2002). Data from other sources suggest that, during this 10‐year period, the size of the overall population of homeless persons may have declined slightly, though not significantly, both in the city studied and nationally. In‐depth surveys of representative samples of homeless adults ( N = 249 in 1992–94; N = 220 in 2000–2002) revealed significant differences in the composition of the homeless population across the time period, consistent with queuing theory. Persons experiencing homelessness after the expansion appeared to be a more “chronic,” less readily employable population than those interviewed at the start of the expansion: Those interviewed after were older, spent more time living on the streets, had more health symptoms, were more likely to have a diagnosis of schizophrenia, and had more restricted social networks and social support. Policy, research, and service provision implications of the findings are discussed.