Rearranging the Deck Chairs or Reallocating the Lifeboats?: Homelessness Assistance and Its Alternatives

Dennis P. Culhane, University of Pennsylvania
Stephen Metraux, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia

Abstract

Problem: At present, homelessness in the

United States is primarily addressed by

providing emergency and transitional shelter

facilities. These programs do not directly

address the causes of homelessness, and

residents are exposed to victimization and

trauma during stays. We need an alternative

that is more humane, as well as more efficient

and effective at achieving outcomes.

Purpose: This article uses research on

homelessness to devise alternative forms of

emergency assistance that could reduce the

prevalence and/or duration of episodes of

homelessness and much of the need for

emergency shelter.

Methods: We review analyses of shelter

utilization patterns to identify subgroups

of homeless single adults and families with

minor children, and propose alternative

program models aimed at the particular

situations of each of these subgroups.

Results and conclusions: We argue that

it would be both more efficient and more

humane to reallocate resources currently

devoted to shelters. We propose the development

of community-based programs that

instead would focus on helping those with

housing emergencies to remain housed or

to quickly return to housing, and be served

by mainstream social welfare programs.

We advocate providing shelter on a limited

basis and reserving transitional housing for

individuals recently discharged from institutions.

Chronic homelessness should be

addressed by permanent supportive housing.