Introduction

It is only within recent decades that homelessness became a social issue throughout the United States. This growth in homelessness was driven by several factors including structural issues such as rising housing costs and the growth of the low-wage labor market, as well as individual issues such as domestic violence and untreated illnesses. The initial solutions, such as shelters and soup kitchens, were by and large designed to mitigate the worst effects of homelessness. Since then the homeless system has evolved to include mental health treatment, supportive housing, and a wide range of services. These interventions, however, do not address the structural causes of homelessness and cannot, on a large scale, prevent people from becoming homeless...

Complete Executive Summary