As in any other playoff, candidate rhetoric let loose during the U.S. presidential race can be tough. We’ve held a front row seat to the 2012 showdown for over a year, with tensions still rising as the general election looms nearer. Some of the barbs launched along the campaign trail have been laughable: Newt Gingrich’s television ad incriminating Mitt Romney for his ability to speak French comes to mind. Others are not. The dialogue surrounding U.S. poverty and inequality, two issues that are hotter than ever during a deep recession that the nation has shown incapable of simply shaking off [...]
Homeless
Suicidal Behavior in a National Sample of Older Homeless Veterans
This study examines self-reported suicidal behavior of older homeless veterans to establish frequencies and predictors of recent suicidal behaviors, and their impact on transitional housing interventions. They found that approximately 12 percent of homeless veterans reported suicidal ideation before program admission, and 3 percent reported attempting suicide in the 30 days before admission. The... »
Comparing the Residential Origins of Homeless Families and Homeless Individuals in Miami-Dade County, Florida
This study compares the residential origins of homeless families with those of homeless individuals, and finds significant differences in their spatial distribution. The results clearly suggest that homeless individuals are more highly concentrated in neighborhoods of high poverty than homeless families. The study suggests the possibility that drift effects (how persons with mental disability... »
How Do Homeless Veterans Differ from the Rest of the Homeless?
Although veterans have been found to be at greater risk of homelessness than non-veterans, it is not clear whether those who are homeless have more severe health problems or poorer outcomes in community-based supported housing. This observational study compared 162 chronically homeless veterans to 388 non-veterans. Results showed that veterans tended to be older,... »
Failed Adoptions Create More Homeless Youths
Lamar West has lost his parents twice during his life, first when he was 4, then again just before his 18th birthday. This article details the young man’s life and how the adoption system has left more teens homeless when adoptions “fail.” »
Number of homeless veterans falls, but for how long?
The population of homeless veterans declined 12 percent last year, thanks to unprecedented efforts by federal agencies and federally-funded community service programs. Now more veterans are able to receive housing, counseling, transportation, and job opportunities than in recent years. However, officials worry that budget cuts and lack of willpower could impede efforts to sustain... »
Factor Structure and Risk Factors for the Health Status of Homeless Veterans
Homeless veterans have numerous health problems previously categorized in four major subgroups; addiction, psychosis, vascular disorders, and generalized medical and psychiatric illness. This paper looks at comorbid conditions, often involving a combination of psychiatric and medical disorders, and concludes that the health status of homeless veterans is a complex condition, but has a clear... »
Housing Patterns of Homeless People: The Ecology of the Street in the Era of Urban Renewal
This article examines the political and economic community dynamics of the street homeless and other groups involved in conflicts over urban renewal. Since the postwar suburban flight, homeless people have lived largely in vacated city centers. Now, “not-in-my-backyard” battles over the homeless are increasingly common, as the return of comfortably housed residents brings suburban... »
Problems arise as the homeless join Wall Street protest
As Occupy Wall Street continues, the protesters are being joined by homeless individuals seeking safety and shelter but bringing problems of health and stability. Their presence forces the protesters to address issues very different from those that brought them into the streets, with mixed results. »
Hawaii lawmaker proposes “safety zone” for homeless
A Hawaii legislator has proposed creating a “safety zone” for Waikiki’s homeless during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit scheduled for Honolulu in November. Under his proposal, land on the outskirts of Waikiki would be designated for the homeless to pitch tents and receive services. “We want to make sure that Hawaii still... »
Calif. effort to treat assaults on homeless as hate crime is vetoed
Legislation intended to discourage attacks on the homeless by placing them among categories of people with greater rights to compensation when they are assaulted was vetoed by California Gov. Jerry Brown, who said existing laws provide “sufficient protection.” The bill sought to include homelessness with race, gender, religion and sexual orientation as reasons to... »