WORKSHOP ABSTRACT:

With 580,000 USA homeless, and though many national, state, and local programs focus on addressing the outcomes of homelessness, we need a deeper understanding of the complexity of factors that lead to homelessness. Research reveals association between risk of homelessness and poverty, poor education, unemployment, interpersonal conflict and abuse, substance abuse, mental health and criminal justice system involvement, and lack of social and community support. Traditional programs tasked with funding homelessness prevention and care programs have only been moderately effective. We recommend greater efforts to target the homeless individual adult at the community level, before homelessness begins. Often, faith-based institutions attempt to assist county agencies to meet the most pressing needs of the homeless. As important as these efforts are, homelessness will continue until we reach a greater understanding of the conditions that create and sustain homelessness. We call on communities to forge collaborations amongst local, state, and federal governments, and faith-based institutions to join forces to create education, guidance, healthcare, social and psychological resources focused on the homeless. Faith-based efforts embattled by government agencies working in tandem can create conditions that foster community supports where they are needed most.