journal articles
The following scholarly articles represent two literature reviews and a groundbreaking study. Read these three articles first to form a basic understanding of how sociologists approach homelessness research and methodology.
The New Homelessness Revisited
This article reviews sociology literature on homelessness from the mid-1990s to 2010. Topics include demographics, life chances, coping strategies, causes, public opinion, and actions taken.
Lee, B. A., Tyler, K. A., & Wright, J. D. (2010). The new homelessness revisited. Annual Review of Sociology, 36(1), 501-521.
doi:10.1146/annurev-soc-070308-115940
[Abstract available in Academic Search Complete. Full text available online through Digital Commons.]
Social Science Research and Contemporary Studies of Homelessness
This article reviews sociology literature on homelessness in the 1980s. Characteristics of and quantity of the homeless are key themes over the decade’s literature. The authors call for an increased focus on causes, policy, and prevention.
Shlay, A. B., & Rossi, P. H. (1992). Social science research and contemporary studies of homelessness. Annual Review of Sociology,
18(1), 129-160.
[Full text available in Academic Search Complete.]
This article reviews sociology literature on homelessness in the 1980s. Characteristics of and quantity of the homeless are key themes over the decade’s literature. The authors call for an increased focus on causes, policy, and prevention.
Shlay, A. B., & Rossi, P. H. (1992). Social science research and contemporary studies of homelessness. Annual Review of Sociology,
18(1), 129-160.
[Full text available in Academic Search Complete.]
Testing a Typology of Family Homelessness Based on Patterns of Public Shelter Utilization in Four U.S. Jurisdictions: Implications for Policy and Program Planning
The purpose of this study is to analyze characteristics of homeless families based on shelter usage. Analysis includes factors such as mental health issues, disabilities, and unemployement. The effects of policies and programs are also discussed.
Culhane, D. P., Metraux, S., Park, J. M., Schretzman, M., & Valente, J. (2007). Testing a typology of family homelessness based on
patterns of public shelter utilization in four U.S. jurisdictions: Implications for policy and program planning. Housing Policy Debate,
18(1), 1-28.
[Abstract available in ProQuest. Full text available online through Google Scholar.]
The purpose of this study is to analyze characteristics of homeless families based on shelter usage. Analysis includes factors such as mental health issues, disabilities, and unemployement. The effects of policies and programs are also discussed.
Culhane, D. P., Metraux, S., Park, J. M., Schretzman, M., & Valente, J. (2007). Testing a typology of family homelessness based on
patterns of public shelter utilization in four U.S. jurisdictions: Implications for policy and program planning. Housing Policy Debate,
18(1), 1-28.
[Abstract available in ProQuest. Full text available online through Google Scholar.]