Doubling Up: Low Income Households Sheltering the Hidden Homeless

Abstract

Household survey data collected in Spokane, WA, are used to assess the costs & benefits of sheltering the homeless experienced by informal shelter providers (N = 173) -- ie, people who shelter their homeless friends & relatives -- who are often at risk of becoming homeless themselves. The dependency of the community on the fragile system of informal shelter providers for prevention of homelessness indicates the inadequacy of present housing programs & the failure of housing policies. Recommendations for preserving & nurturing the invisible but extensive system of informal shelters are made. 2 Tables, 17 References. Adapted from the source document.