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Family Homelessness: State or Trait?
Author(s) -
Shinn Marybeth
Publication year - 1997
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 - 10.1023/a:1022209028188
Subject(s) - subsidy , health psychology , subsidized housing , public housing , state (computer science) , supportive housing , trait , social policy , mental health , public health , psychology , state policy , public policy , criminology , economic growth , political science , psychiatry , medicine , economics , nursing , algorithm , computer science , law , programming language
Compares conceptualizations of homelessness as a temporary state through which people pass or a permanent trait that emanates from individual characteristics. Evidence from a longitudinal study of 564 homeless families in New York City and additional secondary sources supports the view that for families, homelessness is a temporary state that is resolved by the provision of subsidized housing. Even for single individuals with severe mental disturbances, housing is a key factor in ending homelessness, although here there is more evidence that social services also contribute. Policy implications are that governments should take a more active role in reducing homelessness by providing access to subsidized housing.