This bibliography, compiled for the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless, lists Australian works published since 1974 about homelessness. It includes definitions of homelessness from the literature and an introductory article looking at different perspectives on homelessness. The entries, mainly taken from FAMILY database, are each…

Rising housing costs, increased homelessness, and the debate over illegal immigrants residing in publically assisted housing have renewed media and public interest in immigration's contribution to the Los Angeles, California area's problems of scarce low-cost housing, homelessness, and housing code violations. Recent data suggest that immigrants…

The Community Prevention Model, which reinforces competencies and strengths, promotes independent living and social mainstreaming, and utilizes emergency shelters as a last resort, is offered for discussion. It is argued that the federal continuum of care model does not adequately address prevention as the first line of offense against…

Data from a study of homeless families and children conducted in eight cities are presented with social worker observations and family vignettes. (PCB)

School offers structure, stability, and support to children and youth displaced by disasters. The 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes demonstrated the powerful role that schools can play in helping displaced children overcome the traumas they experience and regain their academic, social, and emotional footing. The school response to the 2005 hurricanes…

Following a review of approaches taken to generate accurate estimates of the scale of child and youth homelessness in America, this article documents the methods and results of a multipronged count of homeless children and youth in New Haven, Connecticut. The survey used in this count accessed demographics and service needs, and was administered…

Mental health experts consider the return to school to be a critical step in the healing process for children and youth whose lives have been disrupted by disasters. Going to school helps these students find the structure, normalcy, and routine that is essential to their health and well-being. Federal law (The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance…

Increasing numbers of diverse families, caught in the web of poverty, are becoming homeless. Homeless shelters have tended to focus on meeting only critical necessities such as food and shelter. However, the needs of the homeless are much more complex and challenging. Homeless families have deep-rooted problems and fractured relationships. Staff…

Although homelessness is not a new phenomenon, the number of homeless people today has fostered mobilization on their behalf by public and private sectors. Principal factors accepted as contributing to homelessness are inadequate low-cost housing, unemployment, chemical dependency, family violence, and inadequate community services for the…

This plan is intended to stimulate action to end homelessness in Philadelphia by 2010. Based on local and national research on homelessness, it examines how to achieve this goal, highlighting advocacy, information, services, housing, jobs, communications, accountability, and resources. Research indicates that many dedicated people are working on…

This research explores the incidence of child maltreatment among homeless families. The maltreatment explored in the study includes physical, emotional and sexual abuse. The data reported a high incidence of child maltreatment in the lives of the homeless. The policy implications for these findings are discussed.

This report from the Illinois Caucus on Teenage Pregnancy concerns the plight of an estimated 7,000 homeless teenagers in the state who are either pregnant or are teenage mothers. The scope of the homeless youth problem in Illinois is defined in the introduction. A section on dimensions of need focuses on the "feminization of…

Homeless children are usually thrust outside their neighborhoods and into a different school or school district. School districts attempting to meet the educational, emotional, and socialization needs of these children face numerous challenges. This article discusses homeless New Jersey children, highlighting residency, records, transportation,…

This study describes obstacles Massachusetts families face in accessing emergency shelters when the system is underfunded and the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) seeks to deflect families' entry into shelter. The study presents data, interviews, and observations recorded over 7 months at the Boston Family Housing Office. Results…

Argues that the term "homelessness" does not adequately explain housing problems experienced by high school-aged youths. Surveyed 3,676 high school teens to determine their level of "housing distress." Between 5 and 10% had been homeless sometime during the past year, and almost 20% were at risk of becoming homeless. (RJM)