Does Race Matter in Addressing Homelessness? A Review of the Literature

Abstract

Since the 1980s, black persons have been overrepresented in the United States homeless population. Given that morbidity and mortality is elevated among both the black population and the homeless population in comparison to the general U.S. population, this overrepresentation has important implications for health policy. However, the racial demographics of homelessness have received little attention from policymakers. This article reviews published social and behavioral science literature that addresses the relationship between race and contemporary homelessness in the United States. This literature points to substantial differences between racial subgroups of the U.S. homeless population in vulnerabilities, health risks, behaviors, and service outcomes. Such observed differences suggest that policies and programs to prevent and end homelessness must explicitly consider race as a factor in order to be of maximum effectiveness. The limited scope of these findings also suggests that more research is needed to better understand these differences and their implications.

Well-Being without a Roof: Examining Well-Being among Unhoused Individuals Using Mixed Methods and Propensity Score Matching

“…Unhoused women are less satisfied with their health and empowerment, have lower self-esteem, and experience more psychological distress than unhoused men [ 32 ]. Additionally, although findings are mixed as to the degree of vulnerability, the risks of homelessness associated with health and well-being may be greater for people of color than for white people, especially for women [ 33 ]. Age also plays a role in the experience of homelessness: older age among unhoused individuals has been associated with worse physical health and more limited social support [ 31 , 34 ].…”

Prevalence of mental disorders among people who are homeless: an umbrella review

“…Moreover, around 235,000 individuals were homeless during 2016 in Canada (Gaetz, Dej, Richter, & Redman, 2016). In the twentieth century, homeless people were typically older men, whereas homelessness in recent years has been observed among females and youth of different racial and ethnic groups (Jones, 2016). This evidence provides an overall scenario of homelessness in the high-income nations; however, evidence on the severity of homelessness is scarce from low-and middle-income countries (LMICs).…”

Prevalence of mental disorders among people who are homeless: An umbrella review

“…Moreover, around 235,000 individuals were homeless during 2016 in Canada (Gaetz et al, 2016). In the twentieth century, homeless people were typically older men, whereas homelessness in recent years has been observed among females and youth of different racial and ethnic groups (Jones, 2016). This evidence provides an overall scenario of homelessness in the high-income nations; however, evidence on the severity of homelessness is scarce from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).…”