Voices from the Street: How Structural and Individual Factors Influence Homelessness

Abstract

This study compared structural and individual factors related to persons who are homeless and how these factors affected their ability to utilize and benefit from available services. A qualitative case study design was used to conduct in-depth interviews with two participants receiving hospice care in a residence for the homeless. Results support previous findings that chronic homelessness is the result of multiple structural and individual factors that occur over time. Contrary to the literature on chronic homelessness, however, both participants were unique in their history of employment and strong desire to work, despite having limited work skills. Responses from both participants underscored the value of daily structure and meaningful occupation in residential addiction treatment.

KEYWORDS:

• addiction
• chronic homelessness
• hospice
• mental illness
• supported employment

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study was completed to fulfill requirements for the doctorate in health sciences program at the University of Indianapolis. I wish to thank both participants for their willingness to share their life stories, and the residential staff who assisted me in recruiting them and conducting the study on site.