copyright © 2008 delmar. all rights reserved. chapter 27 the homeless population

Copyright © 2008 Delmar. All rights reserved.

Chapter 27

The Homeless Population


2

Homelessness

• Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 refers to someone: – Who lacks a fixed residence– Lives in shelters– Lacks regular sleeping accommodations– Living in a home and has been asked to leave

within the next month


3

Homelessness

• Social condition and usually the result of several factors such as: – Severe and chronic health conditions– Mental illness, substance abuse– Chronic unemployment– Domestic violence– Poverty, war, disease, forces of nature


4

Homelessness

• Population is younger, often employed, and involves children

• Vulnerable populations are subgroups sensitive to risk factors because of: – Economic, social, physical, environmental,

biological and lifestyle, chronic disease, health care disparities


5

Key Factors in Contributing to Homelessness

• Poverty

• Eroding work opportunities

• Decline in public assistance and government supported housing

• Lack of affordable health care

• Domestic violence, mental illness, addiction


6

Health of the Homeless

• Higher rates of substance abuse

• Higher rate of peripheral vascular disease

• Hypertension

• Liver disease

• Communicable disease

• Limited access to health care


7


• Chronic versus acute health problems– Diabetes– Tuberculosis

• Policy recommendations for health care of homeless– Universal access, accessible health care– Increase funding


8


• Better tracking systems for hate crimes

• Promotion of police training about hate crimes

• Homelessness speakers’ bureaus

• End homelessness


9

Mental Illness

• Policy recommendations– Ensure access to accountability of addiction

and health care services– Require health plans


10

Mental Illness

• Policy recommendations– Strengthen existing mental and addiction

services– End criminalization of homelessness– Establish policies and programs that are

consistent with evidenced-based practices


11

Mental Illness

• Special populations– Homeless youth

• Family, economic, and residential problems• Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender • Accessibility of education

– Risk of STDs, depression, substance abuse, suicide attempts


12

Mental Illness

• Policy and program recommendations for homeless youth – Substance abuse services– Provide drug free safe place to socialize– Group training in conflict resolution– Anger management, stress reduction, coping

skills


13

Homeless Elderly

• Individual over age 50

• Primarily due to: – Lack of affordable housing– Increased poverty– Decreased wages– Lack of adequate retirement


14

Homeless Elderly

• Often suffer from the following:– Neurological disorders

• Epilepsy, peripheral neuropathies• Cognitive disorders

– Gastrointestinal problems– Musculoskeletal disorders – Pneumonia, COPD, TB


15

Characteristics of Homeless Elderly Men

• African American

• Low levels of education

• Significant psychiatric problems

• Suffer chronic diseases

• Suffer higher rate of social isolation

• Often never employed full time


16

Characteristics of Homeless Elderly Women

• Vulnerable to homelessness after death of spouse

• Caucasian

• Receive public assistance

• Suffer psychiatric illnesses

• Chronic health problems


17

Characteristicsof Homeless Elderly

• Growing number are veterans– Low income, post-traumatic stress disorder– Poor physical health

• Policy and program recommendations– McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act– Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act– Strong support system, advocacy


18

Homeless Veterans

• Lack of affordable housing and poverty

• Decreasing veterans’ benefits

• Post-traumatic stress disorder– Alcohol and substance abuse– Lack of family and social support


19

Programs forHomeless Veterans

• VA’s Health Care for the Homeless Veterans Program

• VA’s Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans

• Special Outreach and Benefits Assistance

• Veterans Benefits Assistance


20

Programs forHomeless Veterans

• Acquired Property Sales for Homeless Providers Programs

• Readjustment Counseling Service Vet Center

• Drop-in centers


21

Overall Prevention and Policy Recommendations

• Title V (1983)

• Homeless Persons’ Survival Act (1986)

• Urgent Relief for the Homeless Act (1987)– McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

• Community Involvement– Resources – Self-improvement


22


• Ending chronic homelessness

• Strategies for action– Enhance access to services– Foster state and local response

• Geographic Information System

• Community Based Homelessness Prevention Program


23


• National Coalition for the Homeless– Housing justice– Economic justice – Health care justice– Civil rights

copyright © 2008 delmar. all rights reserved. chapter 27 the homeless population

Documents

health care slide

addiction slide

month slide

health care services

health plans

health care disparities

homeless population

forces of nature slide