Chronic homelessness among working-age adults: Personal problems and public assistance

    Authors

    J. M. Morris

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Soc. Distress Homeless

    Keywords

    chronic homelessness; compassion; individualist ideology; public; assistance; undeserving poor; Social Work

    Abstract

    As rapid changes have occurred in the economic and cultural structures of society, some have found themselves more disadvantaged than others. The mismatch between income and the cost of housing means that some of the poor will inevitably become homeless. Given the economics of the situation, prevention of homelessness is a non-issue; more germane is the question of chronic homelessness. This paper takes the position that determining who is most likely to be chronically homeless is related to the cultural ideology of individualism and; more specifically, that the situations likely to create the greatest vulnerability are problems for which individuals are seen as personally responsible. The distress brought about by societal-level changes is manifested in the ''personal'' problems of individuals The social welfare system, acting as a substitute for failed social institutions, recreates their failures by relying on a cultural ethos that blames individuals for occupying positions to which the society has relegated them.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Social Distress and the Homeless

    Volume

    6

    Issue/Number

    1

    Publication Date

    1-1-1997

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    57

    Last Page

    69

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:A1997WK60100005

    ISSN

    1053-0789

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