Selected Bibliography of Homelessness Resources
Scope note: This bibliography highlights some of the resources available in the Social Work Library, on campus, and on the web which deal with homelessness, including government policy and statistical information, in America. This list is not comprehensive. Contactlibrary staff atsocial.work.library@umich.edu for assistance in locating additional resources.
Homelessness is a broad and complex topic which has permeated social work literature. Resources focus on various population groups especially at risk for homelessness, such as single men, women with children, abused women, and the mentally ill. In fact, homelessness can and does touch anyone living on the very edge between poverty and destitution. Lipton & Sabatani (1984) state:
The term "homeless" is actually a catch word, a misnomer that focuses our attention on only one aspect of the individual's plight: his lack of residence or housing. In reality, the homeless often have no job, no function, no role within the community; they generally have few if any social supports. They are jobless, penniless, functionless, and supportless as well as homeless. (p.156)
Lipton, F.R. & Sabatoni, A. (1984). Constructing support systems for homeless chronic patients. In H.R. Lamb (Ed.),The homeless mentally ill (pp. 153-172). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association. RA 790.6 .H661 1984
Searching for Items inMirlyn
Items owned by the Social Work Library which deal with homelessness can be found by searching theMirlyn catalog for "Subject begins with . . " the termhomelessness. Because resources on homelessness may be found under a variety of related subject headings, we provide some suggested headings below, which can be used for searching the catalog. In addition, keyword terms might be found in theThesaurus of Sociological Indexing Terms (HM 17 .T5311 1996 Reference).
Some suggested and related subject headings to browse in the catalog include:
| Homeless persons | Homeless children | Homeless women |
Homeless youth | Street children | Shelters for the homeless |
| Homeless families | Runaway teenagers | Youth--Housing |
| Poor women | Poor children | Marginality, Social |
| Housing policy--United States | Social work with the homeless | |
! Research tips: For an historical perspective, try subject searches using the termstramps,begging,poor laws,skid row,squatters,squatter settlements, etc. You can also use Mirlyn to search for items on the topic of homelessness by call number. To do this select the search term "Call number begins with..." then enter a call number associated with this topic. It is best to start your call number search as general as possible. For example, if you find a book on homelessness with the call numberHV 4505 .W531 2003, enterHV 4505 for a call number search in Mirlyn and your results will be of a similar topic. You may also want to review the Social Work Library'sSubject Browsing Guidefor possible call numbers related to homelessness.
Reference Books
Borgatta, E.F. & Montgomery, R.J. (Eds.). (2000).Encyclopedia of sociology (2nd ed.). New York: Macmillan Reference USA. HM 17 .E51 2000 Reference(See Homelessness)
DeFranco, F.M. (Ed.). (1996).Human service organizations and their publications : a directory of selected sources. Alexandria, Va.: Council on Social Work Education. HV 89 .H8491 1996 Reference
Edwards, R.L. (Ed.). (2000).Encyclopedia of social work(19th ed.). Washington,DC: NASW Press. HV 89 .S6 Reference (See Homeless families; Homelessness; Runaway youths; Health care: homeless people)
Ekerdt, D.J. (Ed.). (2002).Encyclopedia of aging.New York: Macmillan Reference USA. HQ 1061 .E5341 2002 Reference(See Homelessness)
Fantasia, R. and Isserman, M. (1994).Homelessness: a sourcebook. New York: Facts on File. HV 4505 .F361 1994 Reference
Hombs, M.E. (2001).American homelessness (3rd ed.). Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. HV 4505 .H6471 2001 Reference
Kazdin, A.E. (Ed.). (2000).Encyclopedia of psychology. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association and Oxford Press. BF 31 .E531 2000 Reference(See Homelessness)
Levenson, D. (Ed.). (2004).Encyclopedia of Homelessness. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Shinn, M., Burke, P.D. & Bedford, S. (Eds.). (2002).Homelessness : abstracts of the psychological and behavioral literature, 1967-1990 . Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association. Z 7164 .H72 H651 1990 Reference
Smelser, N.J. & Baltes, P.B. (Eds.). (2001).International encyclopedia of the social & behavioral sciences.Amsterdam; Elsevier. H 41 .I581 2001 Reference(See Homelessness; Street Children)
Books
Baum, A.S. and Burnes, D.W. (1993).A Nation in denial: The truth about homelessness. Boulder, CO : Westview Press. HV 4505 .B3781 1993
Burt, M., Aron, L.Y, and Lee, E. (2001).Helping America's homeless : Emergency shelter or affordable housing? Washington, D.C.: The Urban Institute Press. HV 4505 .H41 2001
Choi, N.G. and Snyder, L.J. (1999).Homeless families with children: A subjective experience of homelessness. New York : Springer. HV 4505 .C461 1999
Douglass, R.L. (1995).The state of homelessness in Michigan: A research study.Lansing, Mich.: Michigan State Housing Development Authority. HV 4506 .M5 D68
Failer, J.L. (2002).Who qualifies for rights? Homelessness, mental illness, and civil commitment. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. KF 480 .F251
Feldman, L.C. (2004). Citizens without shelter: Homelessness, democracy, and political exclusion. Ithaca : Cornell University Press. HV 4505 .F451 2004
Glasser, I. and Bridgman, R. (1999).Braving the street: The anthropology of homelessness. New York : Berghahn Books. HV 4505 .G531 1999
Burt, M.R. et al. (1999).Homelessness: Programs and the people they serve : findings of the National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients. Washington, D.C.: Interagency Council on Homelessness, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Hopper, K. (2003).Reckoning with homelessness. Ithaca : Cornell University Press. HV 4505 .H6651 2003
Jones, B.E. (1986).Treating the homeless: urban psychiatry's challenge. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Press. RC 451.4 .H64 T41 1986
Kuhlman, T.L. (1994).Psychology on the streets: Mental health practice with homeless persons. New York: John Wiley & Sons. RC 451.4 .H64 K841 1994
Lederman, J. (Ed.). (1993).Housing America: Mobilizing bankers, builders and communities to solve the nation's affordable housing crisis. Chicago: Probus Publishing. HD 7293 .H573611 1993
Mayers, M. (2001).Street kids and streetscapes: Panhandling, politics and prophecies. New York: Peter Lang. HV 875.55 .M381 2001
Ogilvie, R.S. (2004).Voluntarism, community life, and the American ethic. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press. HV 4506 .N6 O351 2004
Peterson, R.W., Baker, G.A. and Weiseth, M.A. (1997).Caring for youth in shelters: Effective strategies for professional caregivers. Boys Town, NE: Boys Town Press. HV 1431 .P48 1997
Ringheim, K. (1990).At risk of homelessness: The roles of income and rent. New York: Praeger. HD 7287.96 .U5 R56 1990
Slesnick, N. (2004).Our runaway and homeless youth: A guide to understanding. Westport, CT: Praeger. HV 1431 .S541 2004
Solomon, C. and Jackson-Jobe, P. (Eds.). (1992). Helping homeless people: Unique challenges and solutions.Alexandria, VA : American Association for Counseling and Development. HV 4505 .H431 1992
Task Force on Homelessness and Severe Mental Illness. (1992).Outcasts on Main street: Report of the federal task force on homelessness and severe mental illness. [Washington, D.C.]: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services in cooperation with the Interagency Council on the Homeless and the Task Force on Homelessness and Severe Mental Illness. RC 451.4 .H67 U5411 1992
Williams, J. C. (2003)."A roof over my head": Homeless women and the shelter industry. Boulder, CO : University Press of Colorado. HV 4505 .W531 2003
Yeich, S. (1994).The politics of ending homelessness. Lanham, MD : University Press of America. HV 4505 .Y451
Journals
While the Social Work Library does subscribe to one journal that deals solely with homelessness, there are several journals containing articles which adequately cover the topic. However, to find the best article for one's topic, it is recommended that one use the appropriate indexes/databases first. Unless otherwise indicated, all titles listed are available in the Social Work Library. For details on specific library holdings, consultMirlyn.
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. Washington, D.C.: Educational Publishing Foundation
Child Abuse and Neglect. New Haven, CT: Pergamon
Community Mental Health Journal. New York: Springer
Journal of Children and Poverty. New York: Institute for Children and Poverty
- Full text available only to U-M students, faculty, and staff (2000-present); available on campus at Social Work Library (1996-present)
- Indexed in:Sociological Abstracts
Journal of Social Distress and the Homeless. New York: Psycke-Logo Press
Housing Policy Debate. Washington, DC : Office of Housing Policy Research, Fannie Mae
- Full text available only to U-M students, faculty, and staff (1993-present); available on campus at: Hatcher Graduate library (1991-1992)
- Indexed in:Ageline,Criminal Justice Abstracts
Journal of Housing Economics. Orlando, FL. : Academic Press
- Full text available only to U-M students, faculty, and staff (1993-present)
- Indexed in:Ageline
SAMHSA News.Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- Full text available (2002-present)
- Not indexed
Databases
The University of Michigan subscribes to a number of databases which contain useful information about homelessness in America and elsewhere. Use of many of these databases is restricted to the U of M community. These databases are identified with this symbol:
. For a complete description of a database, including years of coverage, please see the Social Work Library'sAlphabetical List of Databases.
- AGELINE
- Try a descriptor search forhomelessand united states.
- Child Abuse, Child Welfare and Apotion
- Try a keyword search forhomeless children, homelessness, homeless shelters, emergency shelter,or shelter programs
- CQ Congress Collection
- Try the termshomelessor homelessness, or homeless veterans, or homeless sheltersin the quick search box for information on the history of congressional homeless policy.
- Criminal Justice Abstracts
- Try a descriptor search forhomelessor homelessness.
- ERIC
- Try a descriptor search forhomeless people.
- Ethnic Newswatch
- Try a descriptor search forhomeless people.
- Family & Society Studies Worldwide
- Try an index term search forhomelessor homelessness.
- LegalTrac
- Try a subject term search forhomeless personsor homelessnessor homeless childrenor homeless sheltersor homeless womenor homeless youthor Social Work with the Homelessor tramps.
- LexisNexis Congressional
- Click on the link labeled"Congressional" found under "Search for other information" on the left of the default search page. Search bills, indexes, legislative history using the wordhomeless orhomelessness.Try searching forbill numberHR 2897for the "Bringing America Home Act".
- LexisNexis Statistical
- Try a subject term search forhomeless populationor emergency shelters.
- ProQuest Research Library
- Try browsing ProQuest topics for suggested topics likehomeless peopleor homeless people AND Social conditions & trendsor homeless people AND social servicesor homeless youth.
- PSYCINFO
- Try a descriptor term search forhomelessor homeless mentally ill.
- Sexual Diversity Studies:Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Abstracts
- Try an index term, using the advanced search option forhomelessor homeless adolescents, homeless children, homeless men, homeless peopleor homeless persons.
- Social Work Abstracts
- Try a subject term search forhomeless, homeless-, homelessness or homlessness-.
- Sociological Abstracts
- Try a descriptor term search forhomelessness.
Videos
The University of MichiganAskwith Media Library has videos on homelessness which are listed below.
Aikin, S. & Aparicio, C. (1990).The salt mines. San Francisco, CA: Frameline. Video 34117-H Film & Video Library
Autonomous People's Anarchist Group. (2001).San Jose gentrified. [California]: Autonomous People's Anarchist Group. Video 35689-H Film & Video Library
Brand, B. (1991).Home less home. New York: Parabola Arts Foundation, Inc. Video 21189-H Film & Video Library
Choy, C. (Producer). (1993).Fall of the I hotel.San Francisco: Distributed by NAATA. Video 37601-H Film & Video Library
Durrin, G.(1988).Promises to keep. Washington, D.C.: Durrin Productions, Inc. Video 13572-H Film & Video Library
Glaser, T.E. & Ohayon, M. (1992).It was a wonderful life. [New York]: Docurama. DVD 37778-D Film & Video Library
Golden Dome Productions. (1996).Miracle on South Michigan street. South Bend, IN: Golden Dome Productions. Video 27466-H Film & Video Library
Hunt, K. (1993).No place like home. [Berkeley, CA]: University of California Extension Center for Media and Independent Learning. Video 26994-H Film & Video Library
Joseph Feury Productions. (1987).Down and out in America. Oak Forest, IL: MPI Home Video. Video 21262-H Film & Video Library
NBC News. (1988).Home street home. Chicago, IL: Films, Inc. Video 13019-H Film & Video Library
Raindog Films production. (1997).Taylor's campaign. Santa Monica, CA.: Raindog Films. Video 34212-H Film & Video Library
Seidman, T. & Lapidese, J. (1988).Lost Angeles: the story of tent city. Berkeley, CA: University of California Extension Media Center. Video 13574-H Film & Video Library
Singer, M. (2001).Dark Days.New York: Palm Pictures. DVD 33356-D Film & Video Library
Wade, C. (1996).Almost home. Boston: Fanlight Productions. Video 29122-H Film & Video Library
Washington Project for the Arts and Video/Action Fund. (1990).Shooting back. [Santa Monica, CA]: Venice Arts. Video 37357-H Film & Video Library
Other Libraries
Not all resources on homelessness are found at the Social Work Library. The following libraries also have a number of resources on this topic:
Selected Web Resources on Homelessness
Hundreds of web sites may be appropriate for research on homelessness. To assist researchers on this topic, we have identified key web sites and have catogorized them into government/legal, statistics, nonprofit organizations, and local agency sites.
Government and Legal Resources on the Web:
- American Bar Association Commission on Homelessness and Poverty (http://www.abanet.org/homeless)
- The ABA Commission promotes pro bono legal services for the homeless and works to educate the public on legal issues related to homelessness.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (http://www.bphc.hrsa.gov)
- The resource center provides links to directories, bibliographies, organizations, and publications published by this agency.
- National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth (http://www.ncfy.com/)
- Part of theAdministration for Children and Families, the NCFY offers a database of journal article citations, briefs, and URL addresses to online articles on topics involving children and families, searchable by keyword. There are nearly 600 citations on homelessness.
- Homeless Policy Academies (http://www.hrsa.gov/homeless/index.htm)
- "The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and other Federal agencies designed a series of Policy Academies to help state and local policy makers improve access to mainstream resources for people who are homeless. Each state develops an action plan outlining its implementation and evaluation process."
- Interagency Council on Homelessness(http://www.ich.gov)
- "ICH was created in 1987 in the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. Its mission is to coordinate the national response to homelessness. ICH is composed of the directors of 18 federal departments and agencies whose policies and programs have some responsibility for homeless services, including HUD, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Labor (DOL), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)." The web site provides links to articles and reports on the work of this council, which includes anInnovative Initiatives web page with links to innovative programs working toward alleviating homelessness.
- National Council for Homeless Education/SERVE Center(http://www.serve.org/nche/)
- NCHE is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and works as a clearinghouse of information for people interested in improving the education of homeless children and youth. The web site has many excellentresources, including fliers, fact sheets, PowerPoint presentations, and posters for helping homeless children and families.
- Homelessness Resource Center(http://www.nrchmi.samhsa.gov/)
- Part of theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, this web site offers hundreds of resources, categorized by tags.
- Social Security Administration (http://www.ssa.gov/homelessness/)
- This web site lists services available from this administration for the homeless along with links to other governmental resources and advocacy groups.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development(http://www.hud.gov/homeless/)
- HUD provides a number of important links to government as well as private and nonprofit information on housing and the homeless. The web site provides a library with links to publications on homelessness, links to funding sources for homeless programs, lists of facts and other federal programs which provide services to the homeless. This web site also has a number of databases with facts, shelters and services searchable by state. Also, seeHUD USER, "an information source for housing and community development researchers, academics, policymakers, and the American public."
- U.S. Department of Labor(http://www.dol.gov//dol/audience/aud-homeless.htm)
- The U.S. Department of Labor web page on homelessness offers several links including best practices programs dealing with homelessness and labor, reentry programs for prisoners to help curb homelessness, grants for homeless services andFirstStep an interactive tool funded by multiple government agencies to help those serving the homeless navigate through possible federal benefits for their homeless clients.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (http://www1.va.gov/homeless/)
- The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs offers many programs for the homeless veteran including grants, housing referrals, and health care services.
- White House Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives: Homelessness (http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/grants-catalog-homelessness.html)
- This site offers a list of federal grants offered for programs working with the homeless.
Statistical Resources:
- National Alliance to End Homelessness: Data and Research (http://www.endhomelessness.org/back/index.htm)
- Nonprofit organization whose mission is to inform "policy makers at the federal level about ways in which they can help to end homelessness across the nation". This site also features sections on policy, legislation and advocacy related to homelessness.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Homeless Statistics and Data (http://www.samhsa.gov/Matrix/statistics_homeless.aspx)
- Links to theNational Resource Center on Homelessness and Mental Illness and census bureau information.
- LexisNexis Statistical Universe
- Indexes and abstracts to statistical publications, both government and private.
- Poverty and Homelessness Publications from HUD User(http://www.huduser.org/publications/povsoc.html)
- Publications available for download or order.
- U.S. Conference of Mayors' Hunger and Homelessness Survey(http://www.usmayors.org/uscm/hungersurvey/2004/onlinereport/HungerAndHomelessnessReport2004.pdf)
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- U.S. Census National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients (NSHAPC)
- Data files are available for downloading on the U.S. Census web site. The survey results were published in 1999 by the Interagency Council on the Homeless asHomelessness: programs and the people they serve, also available at the Social Work Library (HV 4505 .H6578 1999)
Nonprofit Organizations:- Corporation for Supportive Housing(http://www.csh.org)
- "CSH helps communities create permanent housing with services to prevent and end homelessness." Their web site provides links to research and reviews on homelessness and related topics.
- Housing Assistance Council(http://www.ruralhome.org/)
- The Housing Assistance Council is devoted to helping meet the housing needs of the rural poor. This web site has several articles on rural homelessness.
- National Alliance to End Homelessness (http://www.naeh.org/)
- The aim of this organization is to create an alliance of public and private groups with a goal of reducing or eliminating homelessness. This web site offers background and statistics on homelessness, policy and legislation and links to best practices dealing with homelessness.
- National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth(http://www.naehcy.org/)
- Connects educators, parents, advocates and researchers on the needs and rights of the education of homeless children. This is a good site for information on legislation and policy on homelessness and children.
- National Health Care for the Homeless Council (http://www.nhchc.org/)
- A council of over 65 organizational members and 650 individual clinical members who support the health care needs of the homeless. The web site provides links to advocacy, research, training, clinical resources and publications on homelessness and health care.
- National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty(http://www.nlchp.org)
- Serves as the "legal arm of the nationwide movement to end homelessness". This group's web site provides statistics on homelessness, papers and publication on homelessness, and a number oflinks to other resources on this topic.
- National Network for Youth(http://www.nn4youth.org/)
- NN4Y is a nonprofit organization working for the needs youths "who face greater odds due to abuse and neglect, homelessness, lack of resources, community prejudice, differing abilities and other life challenges." This web site offers fact sheets on public policy affecting at-risk youth, publications, training opportunities, and advocacy tips for those working with this population.
- National Coalition for Homeless Veterans(www.nchv.org)
- The NCHV "seeks to eliminate homelessness in the veteran community and work its way out of business." The organization's web site provides resources for homeless veterans and those working with this population.
- National Coalition for the Homeless(http://www.nationalhomeless.org/)
- Using grassroots organization, public education and public policy advocacy, this group seeks to end homelessness by concentrating on housing justice, education justice, healthcare justice, and civil and voting rights. The web site provides fact sheets on homelessness and updates to legislation and public policy on homelessness.
- National Policy and Advocacy Council on Homelessness (http://www.npach.org/)
- Helps to education the public and policy makers on homelessness and promotes homeless policy which is appropriate to the needs of the local community. NPACH also aims to connect various organizations to advocate for the homeless, such as local community organizations, public schools, and the workplace. The web site contains fact sheets, policy papers, a report archive and additional links related to homeless issues.
- National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness (http://www.nscahh.org/)
- This organization's goal is to educate college students on how to advocate for the hungry and homeless and to train these students to collaborate with other local and national organizations toward these ends.
- Stand Up For Kids(http://www.standupforkids.org/)
- A national organization who's aim is to assist and stabilize homeless and run away youth.
- Urban Institute(http://www.urban.org/)
- "The Urban Institute is a nonprofit nonpartisan policy research and educational organization established to examine the social, economic, and governance problems facing the nation." A number of articles on the topic of homelessness are available on this web site.
Local Michigan Agencies and Resources:- Washtenaw Housing Alliance (http://www.whalliance.org/)
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- Shelter Association of Washtenaw County (http://www.annarborshelter.org/index.cfm)
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- A Home for Everyone: Blueprint to End Homelessness in Washtenaw County
- Published by the Washtenaw County Government, City of Ann Arbor, City of Ypsilanti and the Washtenaw Housing Alliance
- Covenant House Michigan
- The "largest privately-funded childcare agency in the United States providing shelter and service to homeless and runaway youth", there is a Covenant House location in Detroit, Michigan.
- Interfaith Hospitality Network of Washtenaw County (http://www.alphahouse-ihn.org/)
- IHN supports temporary shelter which is house on a rotating basis at local congregations and is staffed by volunteers throughout Washtenaw county. In 1991 a more stable family shelter called Alpha House was built.
- Education Project for the Homeless (http://www.wash.k12.mi.us/students/ephy.cfm)
- EPHY is "a program of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District, has been serving homeless families and their children in Washtenaw County, Michigan since 1992."
- Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness(http://www.mihomeless.org)
- This web site has links to directories of services for the homeless available in Michigan. There is also a list of Michigan groups advocating for and helping the homeless of the state of Michigan.
- Ozone House(http://www.ozonehouse.org/)
- "Services for youth ages 10–20 and their families experiencing crisis or conflict, runaway and homeless youth, and abused or neglected youth."
- HUD in Michigan (http://www.hud.gov/local/index.cfm?state=mi)
- Provides news items, annual reports and grant notices on homelessness from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the state of Michigan.
- S.O.S. Community Services (http://www.soscs.org/)
- "Provides therapeutic day care, after-school opportunities, a summer enrichment program, and a parenting/play group for homeless children participating in SOS programs."
- Father Patrick Jackson House (http://www.fpjhp.org/)
- "Father Patrick Jackson House (Father Pat’s) is a non-denominational residential program serving homeless, pregnant and parenting adolescents and their children."
- Avalon Housing, Inc. (http://www.avalonhousing.org)
- "A non-profit, community-based organization providing permanent affordable housing."
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