Research and Policy

Unsheltered homelessness is an increasingly prevalent phenomenon in major cities that is associated with adverse health and mortality outcomes. This creates a need for spatial estimates of population denominators for resource allocation and epidemiological studies. Our study shows that alternative data sources can contribute timely insights into the state of unsheltered homelessness throughout the year and inform the delivery of interventions to this vulnerable population.

Rooted in my upbringing in the South Bronx and informed by my extensive equity-focused research on housing, energy, and health, alongside practical experience in small-scale, place-based real estate, I advocate for a more nuanced and holistic approach to understanding and achieving “sustainable affordable housing.” By challenging the conventional emphasis on environmental and economic sustainability, I argue that social realities must also take precedence in this endeavor.

Urban poverty and homelessness keep growing while investments in health-promoting services and public infrastructure, including drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) have been decreasing. We used a mixed-method approach to collect data from 45 unhoused individuals in Germany identifying individual, infrastructure-specific, and location-based solutions to improve public WASH. Suggestions included adapting existing infrastructure, opening up existing, but inaccessible and constructing new inclusive infrastructure. Proactive, long-term sustainable solutions were preferred over reactive short-time options. Realizing safe WASH for all requires collaboration between homeless communities, governmental bodies, NGOs, businesses, and sanitation experts.

Lived expertise (LE) is a valuable form of expertise that can lead to more effective policymaking. Existing research points to important mechanisms for where and how to include LE. In this article, we bring the discussions together and ground them in the Canadian case of homelessness.

This Note discusses why the provisions of H.B. 1606 are problematic for the homeless population and the organizations that support them, how the language of H.B. 1606 may jeopardize the State of Missouri’s receipt of federal funding, the merits of “Housing First” Policy, and the remedies that exist for defending against H.B. 1606 or rectifying it through legislation.

Homelessness in Victoria (Canada) is often invisible and too many government responses focus on keeping people out of sight and out of mind, rather than moving people into housing that meets human-rights standards.

A qualitative study using a phenomenological design was conducted and eight homeless recidivist women around Jalan Chow Kit were interviewed. The research findings led to the discovery of two main themes namely; personal factors and structural factors which notably influence the re-involvement of homeless recidivist women in criminal activities.

AHURI: This research examines the organisational and resource implications of transitioning from ‘output-based’ to ‘outcomes-based’ funding arrangements for providing social housing in Australia. It explores relevant housing policy contexts, reviewing opportunities and key policy barriers for this reform goal.

As urban temperatures rise, air pollution concurrently worsens—especially ground-level ozone and particulates —because heat alters both atmospheric chemistry cycles and air circulation patterns. One population that is among the most vulnerable to the twin threats of heat exposure and air pollution is also chronically understudied and plagued by stigma: people experiencing homelessness.

Overall, the findings of our study highlight the importance of providing stable housing and facilitating social support and psychological integration as a means of increasing social capital among people with a history of homelessness.