Suchergebnisse

Is income inequality a driver of homelessness at the community level? We theorize that inequality affects homelessness both by crowding out low-income households from the rental market (what we call an "income channel") and by causing home prices to rise (a "price channel"). We construct a dataset of information on inequality, homelessness, rent burden, and housing prices in 239 communities from 2007 to 2018 and use it to assess the income inequality–homelessness relationship. Our results suggest that income inequality is a significant driver of community homelessness and that the "income channel" is the more likely mechanism through which homelessness is created. We argue that broader policy efforts to reduce income inequality are likely to have the collateral effect of reducing homelessness, and we discuss the need for national and local policies to help low-income households afford housing.

Purpose
This study aims to describe the self-perceived risk of housing loss among low-income individuals in the context of four potential life shocks and examines whether individuals' social and economic resources are protective against self-perceived risk of housing loss in the context of these life shocks.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a national online survey of low-income households in the USA. The authors asked respondents to assess whether they would be at risk of housing loss if they experienced any of four potential life shocks: job loss, moderate and major medical catastrophes and damage to home from natural disaster. Logistic regression models estimated the association between self-perceived risk of housing loss in the context of these life shocks and respondents' economic and social resources, adjusting for sociodemographic covariates.

Findings
A minority of respondents reported that they would be able to maintain their housing if they were to experience a life shock (i.e. 34%–43% depending on the specific life shock). Receipt of more generous forms of income support as well as having family or friends to live with in the event of housing loss were the most consistent economic and social resource predictors of respondents' self-perceived ability to maintain their housing in the context of a life shock.

Originality/value
The findings suggest that comprehensive assessments of risk of housing crises should take into account how individuals view their vulnerability to housing loss if they were to experience a life shock.

Effectiveness of screening for homelessness in a large healthcare system was evaluated in terms of successfully referring and connecting patients with appropriate prevention or intervention services. Screening and healthcare services data from nearly 6 million U.S. military veterans were analyzed. Veterans either screened positive for current or risk of housing instability, or negative for both. Current living situation was used to validate results of screening. Administrative evidence for homelessness-related services was significantly higher among positive-screen veterans who accepted a referral for services compared to those who declined. Screening for current or risk of homelessness led to earlier identification, which led to earlier and more extensive service engagement.

Purpose
Several risk factors have been identified in ongoing efforts by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to mitigate high rates of homelessness among veterans. To date, no studies have examined the relationship of rurality and distance to nearest VA facility to risk of homelessness. Due to challenges in accessing available services, the hypothesis was that rural-residing veterans are at greater risk for homelessness. The paper aims to discuss these issues.


Design/methodology/approach
The cohort consisted of veterans who had separated from the military between 2001 and 2011. The authors used a forwarding address provided by the service member at the time of separation from the military to determine rurality of residence and distance to care. The authors examined differences in the rate of homelessness within a year of a veteran's first encounter with the VA following last military separation based on rurality and distance to the nearest VA facility using multivariable log-binomial regressions.


Findings
In the cohort of 708,318 veterans, 84.3 percent were determined to have a forwarding address in urban areas, 60.4 and 88.7 percent lived within 40 miles of the nearest VA medical center (VAMC), respectively. Veterans living in a rural area (RR=0.763; 95 percent CI=0.718-0.810) and those living between 20 and 40 miles (RR=0.893; 95 percent CI=0.846-0.943) and 40+ miles away from the nearest VAMC (RR=0.928; 95 percent CI=0.879-0.979) were at a lower risk for homelessness.


Originality/value
The unique data set allowed the authors to explore the relationship between geography and homelessness. These results are important to VA and national policy makers in understanding the risk factors for homelessness among veterans and planning interventions.