Chapter 27 The Homeless Population Copyright 2008 Delmar

Homelessness • Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 refers to someone: – Who lacks a

Homelessness • Social condition and usually the result of several factors such as: –

Homelessness • Population is younger, often employed, and involves children • Vulnerable populations are

Key Factors in Contributing to Homelessness • Poverty • Eroding work opportunities • Decline

Health of the Homeless • • • Higher rates of substance abuse Higher rate

Health of the Homeless • Chronic versus acute health problems – Diabetes – Tuberculosis

Health of the Homeless • Better tracking systems for hate crimes • Promotion of

Mental Illness • Policy recommendations – Ensure access to accountability of addiction and health

Mental Illness • Policy recommendations – Strengthen existing mental and addiction services – End

Mental Illness • Special populations – Homeless youth • Family, economic, and residential problems

Mental Illness • Policy and program recommendations for homeless youth – Substance abuse services

Homeless Elderly • Individual over age 50 • Primarily due to: – Lack of

Homeless Elderly • Often suffer from the following: – Neurological disorders • Epilepsy, peripheral

Characteristics of Homeless Elderly Men • • • African American Low levels of education

Characteristics of Homeless Elderly Women • Vulnerable to homelessness after death of spouse •

Characteristics of Homeless Elderly • Growing number are veterans – Low income, post-traumatic stress

Homeless Veterans • Lack of affordable housing and poverty • Decreasing veterans’ benefits •

Programs for Homeless Veterans • VA’s Health Care for the Homeless Veterans Program •

Programs for Homeless Veterans • Acquired Property Sales for Homeless Providers Programs • Readjustment

Overall Prevention and Policy Recommendations • Title V (1983) • Homeless Persons’ Survival Act

Overall Prevention and Policy Recommendations • Ending chronic homelessness • Strategies for action –

Overall Prevention and Policy Recommendations • National Coalition for the Homeless – Housing justice

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Homelessness • Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 refers to someone: – Who lacks a fixed residence – Lives in shelters – Lacks regular sleeping accommodations – Living in a home and has been asked to leave within the next month 2 Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved.

Homelessness • Social condition and usually the result of several factors such as: – Severe and chronic health conditions – Mental illness, substance abuse – Chronic unemployment – Domestic violence – Poverty, war, disease, forces of nature 3 Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved.

Homelessness • Population is younger, often employed, and involves children • Vulnerable populations are subgroups sensitive to risk factors because of: – Economic, social, physical, environmental, biological and lifestyle, chronic disease, health care disparities 4 Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved.

Key Factors in Contributing to Homelessness • Poverty • Eroding work opportunities • Decline in public assistance and government supported housing • Lack of affordable health care • Domestic violence, mental illness, addiction 5 Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved.

Health of the Homeless • • • Higher rates of substance abuse Higher rate of peripheral vascular disease Hypertension Liver disease Communicable disease Limited access to health care 6 Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved.

Health of the Homeless • Chronic versus acute health problems – Diabetes – Tuberculosis • Policy recommendations for health care of homeless – Universal access, accessible health care – Increase funding 7 Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved.

Health of the Homeless • Better tracking systems for hate crimes • Promotion of police training about hate crimes • Homelessness speakers’ bureaus • End homelessness 8 Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved.

Mental Illness • Policy recommendations – Strengthen existing mental and addiction services – End criminalization of homelessness – Establish policies and programs that are consistent with evidenced-based practices 10 Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved.

Mental Illness • Special populations – Homeless youth • Family, economic, and residential problems • Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender • Accessibility of education – Risk of STDs, depression, substance abuse, suicide attempts 11 Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved.

Mental Illness • Policy and program recommendations for homeless youth – Substance abuse services – Provide drug free safe place to socialize – Group training in conflict resolution – Anger management, stress reduction, coping skills 12 Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved.

Homeless Elderly • Individual over age 50 • Primarily due to: – Lack of affordable housing – Increased poverty – Decreased wages – Lack of adequate retirement 13 Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved.

Homeless Elderly • Often suffer from the following: – Neurological disorders • Epilepsy, peripheral neuropathies • Cognitive disorders – Gastrointestinal problems – Musculoskeletal disorders – Pneumonia, COPD, TB 14 Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved.

Characteristics of Homeless Elderly Men • • • African American Low levels of education Significant psychiatric problems Suffer chronic diseases Suffer higher rate of social isolation Often never employed full time 15 Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved.

Characteristics of Homeless Elderly Women • Vulnerable to homelessness after death of spouse • Caucasian • Receive public assistance • Suffer psychiatric illnesses • Chronic health problems 16 Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved.

Characteristics of Homeless Elderly • Growing number are veterans – Low income, post-traumatic stress disorder – Poor physical health • Policy and program recommendations – Mc. Kinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act – Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act – Strong support system, advocacy 17 Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved.

Homeless Veterans • Lack of affordable housing and poverty • Decreasing veterans’ benefits • Post-traumatic stress disorder – Alcohol and substance abuse – Lack of family and social support 18 Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved.

Programs for Homeless Veterans • VA’s Health Care for the Homeless Veterans Program • VA’s Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans • Special Outreach and Benefits Assistance • Veterans Benefits Assistance 19 Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved.

Overall Prevention and Policy Recommendations • Title V (1983) • Homeless Persons’ Survival Act (1986) • Urgent Relief for the Homeless Act (1987) – Mc. Kinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act • Community Involvement – Resources – Self-improvement 21 Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved.

Overall Prevention and Policy Recommendations • Ending chronic homelessness • Strategies for action – Enhance access to services – Foster state and local response • Geographic Information System • Community Based Homelessness Prevention Program 22 Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved.

Overall Prevention and Policy Recommendations • National Coalition for the Homeless – Housing justice – Economic justice – Health care justice – Civil rights 23 Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved.