Published In

American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare

Document Type

Working Paper

Publication Date

4-2015

Subjects

Homelessness -- United States -- Prevention, Homelessness -- Government policy -- United States

Abstract

The notion that homelessness in the United States can be ended, rather than managed, represents a fundamental shift in expectations that has occurred over the past three decades. Many U.S. cities now have plans to end homelessness. Yet homelessness and housing instability are substantial problems that afflict a diverse group of subpopulations such as families, youth, veterans, and chronically homeless single adults. Ending homelessness for each of these populations may require tailored interventions that are responsive to specific individualized needs. These factors make tackling homelessness a difficult task. Although evidencebased solutions exist for some subpopulations, such as housing first for chronically homeless adults, scaling up best practices remains a challenge. For other subpopulations, such as transitional aged youth, evidence-based interventions need to be developed. In this paper we argue that ending homelessness is a Grand Challenge that is big, important, and compelling—one that the profession of social work should be adopt. Meeting this challenge will require a focused, organized response from social work researchers, clinicians, and policymakers. Ending homelessness will require innovation and interdisciplinary or cross-sector collaboration.

Description

This is the publisher's final pdf. Copyright (2015) American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare.

Version of record can be found at: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mathew_Uretsky/publication/274634242_The_Grand_Challenge_of_Ending_Homelessness/links/5523e22f0cf223eed3801b02.pdf

*At the time of publication, Mathew Uretsky was affiliated with the University of Maryland.

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/18314

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