This title provides a one-stop resource for understanding the crisis of homelessness in the United States. It covers risk factors for homelessness, societal attitudes about the homeless, and public and private resources designed to prevent homelessness and help those in need. There are a number of questions to be answered when addressing the subject of homelessness in the United States. What are the primary causes of homelessness? What are the economic and socioeconomic factors that have an impact on homeless people? What demographic trends can be identified in homeless populations? Is the U.S. addressing the needs and concerns of homeless people adequately? Where are the areas with the highest homeless populations? What can be done to help homeless people who live with mental illness and/or addiction problems? Homelessness in America: A Reference Handbook answers all of these questions and more. It thoroughly examines the history of homelessness in the U.S., shining a light on the key issues, events, policies, and attitudes that contribute to homelessness and shape the experience of being homeless. It places special emphasis on exploring the myriad problems that force people into homelessness, such as inadequate levels of affordable housing, struggles with substance abuse, and gaps in the U.S.' social welfare system. In addition, it explains why some demographic groups are at heightened risk of homelessness.

Table of Contents:
Preface, 1 Background and History, Overview of Crisis Points, Crisis Point #1: The Great Depression, The New Deal and the Common Man, A Period of Transition, Crisis Point #2: The 1980s, New Homelessness, Trends in Social Welfare Investment, Federal Homeless Legislation, Counting the Homeless Population, Crisis Point #3: The Bush Economy and the Great Recession, The Continuum of Care, Who Is Homeless in This Era?, Conclusion, References, 2 Problems, Controversies, and Solutions, The Stigma of Homelessness, Current Homeless Population Trends, Combating Homelessness in a Recession, Criminalization and Other Punitive "Solutions" for Homelessness, Constitutional Considerations, The Right to Sleep, The Boise Decision, Shortages of Affordable Housing, Motels as Shelter in Massachusetts, Welfare and Homelessness, Welfare and Work, AFDC to TANF, The COVID-19 Crisis, Conclusion, References, 3 Perspectives, Shut the Front Door: Welfare Reform and Homeless Mothers, Anne R. Roschelle Struggles and Strengths, Sefora Alcindor Increasing Educational Access and Success for Students Experiencing Homelessness, Ronald Hallett Housing for Homeless Students: A Statewide Pilot, Katy Abel Place Character and Making Space for People Experiencing Homelessness, Colby King Law and Homelessness, Maria Foscarinis Saving Lives: A Coordinated Response to COVID-19, April Connolly Housing First: Ending Homelessness and Supporting Social Integration, Sam Tsemberis 4 Profiles, Government Organizations, U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), U.S. Department of Labor: Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP), U.S. Department of Education (ED), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Organizations, National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty (NLCHP), National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH), National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH), National Low-Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY), The Urban Institute, Individual Profiles, Alice Solenberger, Nels Anderson, Cushing Dolbeare, Martha R. Burt, Maria Foscarinis, Rosanne Haggerty, References, 5 Data and Documents, The Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress, Table 5.1: States with the Largest Homeless Populations, The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, Out of Reach: National Low-Income Housing Coalition, Table 5.2: Affordability Data for Basic Housing, Housing Not Handcuffs: National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, Table 5.3: Common Homeless Offenses: Laws Enacted in Sample Cities, The Violence Against Women Act, The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, References, 6 Resources, 7 Chronology, Glossary, Index,