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30 Fordham Urb. L.J. 1267 (2002-2003)
Chronic Homelessness: Emergence of a Public Policy

handle is hein.journals/frdurb30 and id is 1309 raw text is: CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS: EMERGENCE OF A PUBLIC POLICY Martha R. Burt* INTRODUCTION The past two years have witnessed a major shift in public com- mitment to end chronic homelessness within the next decade. This Article examines the phenomenon of chronic homelessness and its emergence as the focus of a significant policy transformation. It first sets the scene with a brief review of why homelessness remains a significant social problem after twenty years of public and private investment in homeless assistance networks. It then looks at defi- nitions of homelessness in general, and chronic homelessness in particular. With respect to policy, it traces a story that starts with research. Initial research showed that even the most chronic, dis- abled, street-dwelling homeless people will accept and remain in housing, given the right configuration and the right supportive ser- vices. Research on program effectiveness was followed by analyses showing near break-even public costs for providing the housing. The story continues with evidence that the numbers of chronically homeless people who would need housing are within a manageable range. The Article concludes by examining what advocates have done and are still doing with the research evidence, and an over- view of public commitments and the effort it will take to assure that they are fulfilled. I. CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS Two types of factors are generally acknowledged as causing homelessness in the sense that they create the conditions under which people are more or less likely to find themselves homeless.! Factors of the first type are structural-they are larger societal trends and changes that affect broad segments of a population.2 These include changes in housing markets and land use, employ- ment opportunities, the quality and relevance of public education, * Ph.D., Urban Institute, Washington, D.C. 1. MARTHA BURT ET AL., HELPING AMERICA'S HOMELESS: EMERGENCY SHEL- TER OR AFFORDABLE HOUSING? 7 (2001); Paul Koegel et al., The Causes of Home- lessness, in HOMELESSNESS IN AMERICA 25 (Jim Baumohl ed., 1996). 2. BURT ET AL., supra note 1, at 7; Koegel et al., supra note 1, at 26-27. 1267

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