Running Head: Universal Definition for Homelessness

Universal Definition for Homelessness

Angela Ayres-Hudson, Jessica Durkee, Joanina Gazcon

HSCI 660D: Social Determinants of Health

Department of Health Science and Human Ecology

California State University, San Bernardino

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Executive Summary

The lack of a universal definition for homelessness has been an ongoing issue as it

creates barriers for homeless individuals seeking assistive services. The problem being addressed

in this policy brief paper is the lack of a universal definition for homelessness. Every

organization that provides assistive services to the homeless population abides by their own

definition and therefore can limit who has access to services. This unfair treatment can make it

difficult for homeless individuals to improve their situation and return to being productive

members of society. In an attempt to alleviate the homelessness epidemic, there needs to be new

standards and policies implemented to create greater access to services. With greater access, a

step forward can be taken in getting people off of the streets and rehabilitate to return to a

productive member of society.

The recommendations is that a universal definition of homelessness should be created to

eliminate the discrimination and injustices that exist in the current system. Every individual

should have the opportunity to benefit off of assistive services when they need it most and should

be given a chance to have the best possible health outcome. While there are many types of

homelessness it seems that most could be alleviated with a system that has a focus of helping

people get off the streets rather than make individuals more comfortable in their situation.

Context and Importance of the Problem

What is the definition of homeless? The answer may seem simple, but depending on

which organization is doing the defining, the answer varies. This variation creates a disparity in

the allocation of resources. If a person is staying temporarily on a friend’s couch, without stable

housing, they may not be considered homeless. Other definitions may include staying in a

homeless shelter, sleeping in a vehicle, facing eviction, or an unstable night-time residence.

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When a person faces such issues and decides to get help, there is a disconnect between agencies

that allocate resources. Without a unilateral definition of homeless, people are unable to utilize

all, or enough of the resources available to get out of their situation. If the person meets the

criteria from one agency that will provide a short-term motel voucher, but does not meet the

criteria for housing placement, then the problem is only solved short term and homelessness will

persist. Addressing this problem will help to reduce homelessness, which is an epidemic across

the United States. Something as simple as a unilateral definition could address the disparity in

access to resources, that is currently happening.

There are three distinct types of homelessness: chronic, transitional, and episodic.

Chronic Homelessness describes people who are likely to be deeply rooted within the shelter

system. Shelters are more likely to become long-term housing rather than an emergency

arrangement for the chronically homeless. These individuals are also most likely to suffer from

unemployment, suffer from different types of disabilities, and suffer from substance abuse

problems. Transitional Homelessness describes people who spend minimal time in shelters.

These situations may be due to a catastrophic event (i.e. house fire, flood, natural disaster, etc.),

and these individuals spend a short time in shelters before transitioning into stable housing.

These people are more likely to be young and/or face homelessness along with their

families/pets. Episodic Homelessness describes people who frequently fall in and out of

homelessness. They are very similar to transitionally homeless individuals, but share

characteristics of those who are chronically homeless (i.e. mental illness, disability, substance

abuse issues, etc.). (“Homelessness in America”, 2018)

It is important to note how many individuals in our county, state, and country, are

suffering through this epidemic. The following data is from the year 2018 on a county, state, and
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national scale. In San Bernardino County, there were 2,118 persons who were homeless on

January 25, 2018, which represents an increase of 13.5% from 2017. (“San Bernardino County

2018 Homeless Count”, 2018) In total, the state of California, on the other hand, had an

estimated 129,972 experiencing homelessness on any given day which is a 1% decrease from

2017. It is reported that of this total, “6,702 were family households, 10,836 were Veterans,

12,396 were unaccompanied young adults (aged 18-24), and 34,332 were individuals

experiencing chronic homelessness”(California Homelessness Statistics, 2018). In the United

States, HUD’s Annual Point-in-Time Count provides data that states, “a total of 552,830 people

were experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2018. This number represents 17 out of

every 10,000 people in the United States” which increased slightly by 0.3% from 2017. (State of

Homelessness, 2018)

While there are certain demographics that disproportionately experience homelessness,

this pressing issue does not discriminate against anyone. Homelessness can reach any person,

regardless of race, gender, age, or any other type of background. A universal definition of

homelessness is paramount in the process of alleviating the struggle of picking and choosing who

can be helped.

Critique of the Policy Options

Within the United States universal term for homelessness does not exist. Each

organization has the ability to pick and choose which individuals meet their definition and

criteria of homelessness. Creating a universal definition for the term homelessness will remove

the many questions about what classifies an individual as homeless. It also will allow for more

individuals that meet that definition to receive care and resource help. Homelessness is such a

broad and difficult topic to create a solution for. By creating a universal term this will also
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remove the ability from organizations to pick and choose who they want to provide services to,

and hopefully create more accessibility to those who are in dire need of it.

There are no policies enacted in the United States that has one standard definition of

homelessness for organizations providing aid to the homeless population. This is why the United

States approach to solving or relieving the homelessness crisis is drastically failing. As of now

only certain policies help certain groups of homeless individuals or certain organizations choose

to meet the needs of certain homeless individuals. There are policies for homeless veterans,

disabled homeless individuals, homeless individuals with mental health illnesses and other

homeless individuals that fall under any disadvantaged classification. But again, there is not one

single definition that can remove the ambiguity of the term homelessness. It is unfair to deny an

individual help because they don’t fall into that organization’s definition of homelessness. There

are changes being made in California like the Senate Bill (SB) 1152 that requires hospitals to

have a plan for any homeless individual that the hospital discharges. Again, there are cracks that

individuals fall through with this bill. An individual can tell hospital staff they have a place to go

after discharge and it may be someone’s couch just for the night, so the hospital may not provide

the individual with a resource guide of places they can go to receive aid.

As of now, federal, state, and private monies that are being allotted have specific

individuals that can receive that help. There are many circumstances where an individual may

have a job and has some type of income but he or she lives in their car or in a motel. They are

considered homeless according to the public health definition, but they will fall through the

cracks of the system and organizations offering aid because the individual makes money and

isn’t technically living on the street. The definition needs to make sure not to leave out these

individuals who are struggling but may be a productive member of society. The policy needs to
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be reworked so that individuals who are in serious need can receive support that allows for them

to get back on their feet. When we think of an individual being homeless the idea of someone

sleeping on the street or in a park comes to mind. What is often forgotten is that there are

individuals who are considered homeless that sleep on relatives or friends couches and sleep in

their cars. Some are never accounted for because they don’t match the basic criteria of what the

norm considers “homeless”.

Some may say that it will be too hard to create a universal definition for homelessness

because the populations of individuals in need can change with the times. But having a universal

definition that’s main purpose right now is to aid as many as possible is better than not having

one at all and doing what we are doing now. Another issue that may arise is the question of who

should be on the panel when creating this definition. Yes, it will be difficult to get all these

different individuals together to represent as many different practices as possible, but it is not

impossible. Policy makers, mental health practitioners, substance abuse workers, physicians,

public health workers, hospital workers, community stakeholders, etc. all need to come together

to figure out this universal definition. This will be an extremely difficult definition to create but

it can be done. It is also important to keep in mind that this definition will need to be updated to

keep relevancy every few years. It is not a one-time project this will be an ongoing task much

like homelessness is an ongoing problem.

Policy Recommendations

The issue of homelessness goes beyond how someone became homeless and the system

should focus on resolving the issue at whole rather than a select population. Policy

recommendations should focus on eliminating the criteria that prevents individuals from

receiving assistance from programs such as housing assistance, job development, and food and
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clothing programs. Current policies limit who can access assistive services and prevents certain

individuals from escaping their homelessness situation.

At a policy level it is important to use a definition of homelessness that uses a more

minimal criteria. By altering what is considered homelessness will prevent organization from

turning away individuals who can utilize services. An example of policy that can be changed is

making sure that job or workforce development is offered to those of all ages. No matter what

age an individual is, it is necessary to maintain a job in today’s “survival of the fittest” society.

Expanding access to more disability services can address the issues for those who cannot

maintain a job. Many times silent disabilities are overlooked and individuals go without

desperately needed help. Increasing access to mental health services can allow for people with

mental illnesses or traumatic experiences to address risk factors that can lead to homelessness.

Mental health, while still stigmatized and a difficult issue to approach can be the key to

preventing episodic and transitional homelessness.

Policies need to be adopted at a federal level to address the homelessness issues and

possibly even on a global scale, as homelessness exists all over the world. When the World

Health Organization established their definition of health it created the understanding that health

is a complex and multidimensional term. The definition also established that everyone should

have an opportunity to achieve the best health outcome possible. Homelessness is encompassed

in Health and must be addressed as it is preventing people from living their best lives possible.
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References

California Homelessness Statistics. (2018). Retrieved from

https://www.usich.gov/homelessness-statistics/ca/

Homelessness in America. (2018). Retrieved from https://nationalhomeless.org/about-

homelessness/

San Bernardino County 2018 Homeless Count and Subpopulation Survey Final Report[PDF].

(2018, March). San Bernardino: San Bernardino County.

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State of Homelessness. (2018). Retrieved from https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-

america/homelessness-statistics/state-of-homelessness-report/