Publications

The National Center on Family Homelessness has published a significant body of material on family homelessness and related issues of extreme poverty, trauma, violence and mental illness.

New Publications

The following publications are available for download as pdf files from this site.

National Center on Family Homelessness Brochure (2.2MB)
Adding Seats to the Table: A Community Based Approach to Family Homelessness (664k)
This innovative report is based on the belief that homeless families, when provided with the appropriate resources and opportunities, have the skills and knowledge to effectively advocate on their own behalf. This study looks at grassroots community organizing and coalition building among homeless, formerly homeless, and at-risk families in several cities and presents a community-based approach to family homelessness as a viable strategy to bring about change.
Re-Engaging Philanthropy in the Fight to End Homelessness (320K)
Renewed energy and concrete plans are fueling a growing consensus that homelessness can be ended in the next decade. This guide discusses the important role of philanthropy in this process and outlines various strategic contributions that foundations can make to prevent and end homelessness.
Ending Bay Area Homelessness: The Philanthropic Role; 2003
This guide, produced by the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation, offers key recommendations on how philanthropy can help end homelessness in the San Francisco Bay Area. For a copy go to www.schwabfoundation.org/index.php/articles/151.
Social Supports for Homeless Mothers (1.3MB)
This study explores the social support experiences and needs of homeless mothers. Based on focus group findings, it emphasizes the need for individualized service plans and identifies core support services that all programs serving homeless families should provide.
Hearth Connection Supportive Housing and Managed Care Pilot Qualitative Study 2006 Report (933K)
The Supportive Housing and Managed Care Pilot is a demonstration project partially funded by the State of Minnesota and administered by Hearth Connection to test an innovative housing-based response to long-term homelessness. The pilot targets single adults and families whose homelessness is complicated by medical problems, mental illness, chemical dependency, and histories of trauma. The report documents the pilot's achievements and describes some challenges to be addressed.

The following publications are available from The National Center on Family Homelessness. Please contact us for information on how to obtain these materials.

Homeless Children: America's New Outcasts; 1999
(free)
This groundbreaking study by the National Center on Family Homelessness reveals the harsh lives of more than one million children who are homeless each night in the United States. The report vividly portrays the daily struggles faced by homeless children, starkly contrasting their lives with those of typical American children. Homeless Children: America's New Outcasts documents the profound impact of homelessness on children's health, development, school performance, mental health and well being.
Role of Kin and Nonkin Support in the Mental Health of Low-Income Women
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry; Vol. 72, 2002 (free)
This article analyzes data from the Worcester Family Research Project to determine the nature of social support in poor women. It examines the effects of poverty on social support processes and the differential impact of kin and nonkin support on mental health outcomes for low-income mothers.
Multiply Homeless Families: The Insidious Impact of Violence
Housing Policy Debate; December 2001, Vol. 12, Issue 2 (free)
Using data from the Worcester Family Research Project, this article examines families who have been homeless multiple times. It describes the duration of family homelessness, compares the characteristics of first-time and multiply homeless families, and identifies factors that contribute to repeated episodes of family homelessness. In particular, the article focuses on the adverse effect of interpersonal violence, childhood sexual abuse, stranger violence, and partner violence on residential stability.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Extremely Poor Women: Implications for Health Care Clinicians
Journal of the American Medical Women's Association; Spring 2001 (free)
This article identifies childhood risk factors for lifetime post-traumatic stress disorder and examines how this diagnosis relates to health and service use among extremely poor women. It highlights the difficulty many low-income women have using medical care appropriately due to childhood histories of physical and sexual abuse, the subsequent development of post-trauma responses, and structural barriers to care.
Predictors of Academic Achievement among Homeless and Low-Income Housed Children
Journal of School Psychology; Vol. 39, 2001 (free)
This article examines the effects of homelessness and residential instability on children's academic achievement and school performance. In particular, it focuses on identifying predictors of academic achievement among children of sheltered homeless and low-income housed families. While results indicate that housing is not associated with academic achievement, the study suggests that the comparable rates of absenteeism and other school-related problems among the homeless and housed children in the study may explain their academic similarities.
Homelessness and its Relation to the Mental Health and Behavior of Low-Income School-Age Children
Developmental Psychology; January 1999 (free)
This study examines the relationship between housing status and depression, anxiety, and problem behaviors among children of low-income, single-parent, female-headed families. While housing status was associated with internalizing behaviors, it was not associated with externalizing behaviors. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for programmatic interventions and in light of recent welfare reform.
The Impact of Recent Partner Violence on Poor Women's Capacity to Maintain Work
Violence Against Women; April 1999 (free)
This article explores the relationship between partner violence and the capacity to maintain work. Results indicate that violence has an adverse effect on the ability of low-income women to maintain employment. Particular emphasis is placed on this finding given its implications for the debate on welfare work requirements.
HIV-Risk Practices Among Homeless and Low-Income Housed Mothers
The Journal of Family Practice; November 1999 (free)
Using data from a study of homeless and low-income housed women, this article attempts to understand HIV risk behaviors in homeless mothers. The study attempts to identify factors associated with HIV-risk practices in order to guide preventive interventions for this subgroup of poor women.
Responding to the Needs of Low-Income and Homeless Women Who Are Survivors of Family Violence
Journal of the American Medical Women's Association; Spring 1998 (free)
This article focuses on the long-term medical and mental health consequences of interpersonal violence and the relationship between early victimization and adult problems. It documents the extent and nature of such violence and looks at the medical and mental health needs of survivors. The necessity of a response to interpersonal violence and the form such a response might take are also discussed.
The Plight of Extremely Poor Puerto Rican and Non-Hispanic White Single Mothers
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology; July 1998 (free)
This study compares the economic, psychological and health characteristics of Puerto Rican and Non-Hispanic White poor, single mothers. The unique situation of low-income Puerto-Rican mothers is profiled and their particular needs are identified. The article also makes several program recommendations aimed at helping this population escape poverty.
Determinants of Health and Service Use Patterns in Homeless and Low-Income Housed Children
Pediatrics; September 1998 (free)
This study identifies homelessness as an independent predictor of poor health status and high service use among children. While other studies have found that homeless children have more health problems and use health services more than housed children, this study controls for sociodemographic, environmental, and maternal factors by comparing homeless and low-income housed children. The importance of preventive interventions and efforts to increase access to primary care among homeless children are also discussed.
The Developmental Status and Adaptive Behavior of Homeless and Low-Income Housed Infants and Toddlers
American Journal of Public Health; September 1998 (free)
This study examines the developmental status of low-income housed and homeless infants and toddlers. While homeless and low-income housed children did not differ in their cognitive and motor skills, the findings suggest that the cumulative effects of poverty may increase with time.
Prevalence of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders among Homeless and Low-Income Housed Mothers
The American Journal of Psychiatry; November 1998 (free)
This article compares the prevalence of mental health and substance use disorders among homeless and low-income housed mothers with their prevalence among women in the general population. In light of the high rates of trauma-related disorders observed among poor women, the article recommends that programs and policies should be designed to respond to such problems.
Homelessness in Female-Headed Families: Children and Adult Risk and Protective Factors
American Journal of Public Health; February 1997 (free)
This article identifies risk and protective factors for family homelessness in low-income housed and homeless female-headed families. Socioeconomic, social support, victimization, mental health, substance use, and health factors were tested for. Factors that compromised economic and social resources were found to pose a greater risk of becoming homeless. Housing subsidies were found to be highly protective against homelessness.
Intimate Violence in the Lives of Homeless and Poor Housed Women: Prevalence and Patterns in an Ethnically Diverse Sample
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry; April 1997 (free)
This article compares the rates of violence in the lives of homeless and poor housed women. Experiences of violence include physical violence by a childhood caretaker, childhood sexual molestation, and severe violence by a male partner. The short and long-term consequences are far reaching.
Determinants of Behavior in Homeless and Low-Income Housed Preschool Children
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry; July 1997 (free)
This article examines the effects of homelessness on preschool-aged children by comparing the characteristics of homeless and low-income preschool-aged children and their parents. The article also looks at family and environmental factors to identify the determinants of adverse behavioral outcomes among these children, especially in relation to housing status.
Mental Disorders and Service Utilization Among Youths From Homeless and Low-Income Housed Families
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; July 1997
This article assesses the mental health of homeless and low-income housed youths and examines their mental health service use. While the sample of homeless and housed youths was found to have high rates of mental disorders, their use of mental health services was low, particularly for youths with poor overall functioning.
The Characteristics and Needs of Sheltered Homeless and Low-Income Housed Mothers
Journal of the American Medical Association; August 1996 (free)
This article describes the overall results of the Worcester Family Research Project. It compares the characteristics of homeless and low-income housed mothers across economic, psychosocial, and physical health domains. While both groups face adversity that threatens family well-being, sheltered homeless mothers were found to have fewer economic resources and social supports and higher cumulative rates of violent abuse and assault.
Fathers of Children on Welfare: Their Impact on Child Well-Being
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry; October 1996 (free)
This article describes the characteristics of fathers whose children are being raised on welfare and the extent to which father involvement affects children's adaptive functioning and behavior. Results indicate that contact with fathers has a modest beneficial effect on children's behavior, but that negative traits of fathers are associated with increased child behavior problems.
Patterns of Welfare Use Among Poor and Homeless Women
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry; October 1996 (free)
This article assesses the relationship between demographic, health, and social factors and patterns of welfare use among a sample of homeless and poor housed women on welfare. Factors associated with long-term and episodic welfare use are identified and the implications of welfare reform are discussed in light of the study's findings.
Putting Poor Mothers to Work
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry; October 1996 (free)
This editorial by Ellen L. Bassuk discusses the potentially adverse impact of welfare reform legislation on women receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC). The August 1996 welfare law, committed to putting low-income women to work, is criticized for ignoring the needs and unique situations of these women who must manage their multiple roles as parents, homemakers, and breadwinners.
Single Mothers and Welfare
Scientific American; October 1996 (free) This article criticizes the August 1996 welfare revisions that abolished AFDC as an entitlement and discusses the repercussions of these revisions for poor women and children. The article highlights the violence, trauma, and poverty of these women's lives and the government's responsibility to help them and their families.
Work and Welfare: Job Histories, Barriers to Employment, and Predictors of Work Among Low Income Single Mothers
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry; October 1996 (free) This article analyzes the work histories of sheltered homeless and low-income women and identifies factors that facilitate employment possibilities for some low-income women and deter others from obtaining work. In light of the study's findings, the article recommends education, early intervention, and job training and recognizes the need for available adequate jobs and affordable childcare.

Other Publications

Community Care for Homeless Clients with Mental Illness, Substance Abuse, or Dual Diagnosis: A Program Design Manual; 1994
($12.00)
This manual is designed for shelter providers who serve clients with mental illness, substance abuse or dual diagnosis. It discusses the knowledge and skills necessary to cope with this population as well as the shortage of services, logistical problems and attitudes of providers and clients that are obstacles to accessing community services. The manual focuses on forming an effective helping relationship and understanding clients' needs so that effective services can be obtained.
The Connecticut Initiative on Homelessness and Family Violence-Executive Summary; 1994
(free)
This executive summary briefly explains the Connecticut Initiative on Homelessness and Family Violence which was designed to assess the needs of homeless victims of family violence, existing services to meet those needs, and gaps in the current service delivery system in Connecticut. The summary also presents the project's major findings and recommendations, and proposes an innovative program model to end homelessness.
The Connecticut Initiative on Homelessness and Family Violence-Final Report; 1994
($4.00)
The Connecticut Initiative on Homelessness and Family Violence was designed to assess the needs of homeless victims of family violence, existing services to meet those needs, and gaps in the current service delivery system. The report contains a detailed analysis of the data collected from this statewide needs assessment and presents the study's findings and recommendations.
Community Care for Homeless Families: A Program Design Manual; 1990
($4.00)
This manual articulates a preventive and long-term program and policy plan for reducing homelessness and improving the well-being of homeless families. It discusses the extent and nature of family homelessness, as well as community-based program development, programs to meet basic needs, children's programs, and programs to meet special needs.