Women and Homelessness: Evidence of Need to Look Beyond Shelters to Long Term Social Service Assistance and Permanent Housing

Abstract

Based on 2 surveys of staff in 25 homeless shelters, this study focuses on services to homeless women and their children. Both the advantages and disadvantages of shelter living are discussed, as well as obstacles to moving homeless women and their children into permanent housing. Staff said that mothers were often depressed when in the shelter and had feelings of guilt, fear, and anger. It is concluded that there is a need for rapid movement out of the shelters and a concomitant need for long-term social services. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved)