Advancing a Five-Level Typology of Homelessness Prevention

Abstract

This paper aims to demonstrate the efficacy of a five-level homelessness prevention typology, encompassing universal, targeted, crisis, emergency, and recovery categories. We argue that this typology can be deployed to illuminate key comparisons in homelessness prevention policy and practice between different jurisdictions and over time. Meanwhile, it avoids the confusions and overlaps that occur in extant categorisations. Using the UK jurisdictions as an empirical testbed for this analytical framework, four key lessons emerge which we contend have resonance across much of the global north. First, though there is growing evidence of the importance of both universal prevention measures (particularly the delivery of affordable housing and poverty reduction), and targeted preventative interventions (focused on high risk groups and transitions), practical action on both fronts has been deeply deficient to date. Second, and more encouragingly, there is a nascent shift in homelessness practice from an overwhelming focus on basic, emergency interventions, towards more upstream attempts to avert the kind of crisis situations that can lead to homelessness arising in the first place. Third, and also welcome, is a trend within recovery interventions from treatment-led to more housing-led models, albeit that this shift has been frustratingly slow to materialise in many countries. Fourth, across all of these categories of homelessness prevention, there remain substantial evidence gaps, especially outside of the US.

Low-Income Earners Housing Affordability Issues in Nigeria: A Systematic Review of Sustainable Approaches

“…A recent study carried out in Nigeria confirms that residents who are homeless fall between 17-20 million. Therefore, various scholars are of the view that the most vulnerable groups of the populace that suffers homelessness are the LIEs (Igwe et al, 2017;Adabre & Chan, 2019;Fitzpatrick et al, 2021;Morgan, 2021). This assertion is in line with what is experienced in many developing countries not excluding Nigeria.…”

Health inequalities among homeless adolescents

“…For the homeless population, food and personal hygiene are the main activities that require attention (37) .…”

“…Access to water, sanitary conditions, and hygiene are universal human rights, guaranteed by the Brazilian government in international agreements, which affect health and well-being. The UN 2030 Agenda determines that, by 2030, sanitary conditions (sewage treatment and toilets), drinking water and hygiene water (with soap supply) must be available to everyone (37) .…”

Desigualdades em saúde de adolescentes em situação de rua

“…Para a população de rua, a alimentação e a higiene pessoal são as principais atividades que exigem cuidado (37) .…”

“…O acesso à água, às condições sanitárias e à higiene são direitos humanos universais, assegurados pelo governo brasileiro em acordos internacionais, que interferem na saúde e no bem-estar. A Agenda Global 2030 tem como meta que até 2030 sejam ofertadas condições sanitárias (tratamento de esgoto e banheiros), água adequada para beber e água para higiene (com oferta de sabonete) para todas as pessoas (37) .…”