Research for What? Thirty Years of Homelessness Inquiry...and Counting

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Research for What?Research for What?

Thirty Years of Homelessness Thirty Years of Homelessness

Inquiry . . . and CountingInquiry . . . and Counting

Research for What?Research for What?

Thirty Years of Homelessness Thirty Years of Homelessness

Inquiry . . . and CountingInquiry . . . and Counting

Kim HopperKim Hopper

Wellesley InstituteWellesley Institute

Mental Health Commission of CanadaMental Health Commission of Canada

Toronto, December 4, 2008Toronto, December 4, 2008

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A tribute to two heroes . . .A tribute to two heroes . . .

Elliot Liebow (Elliot Liebow (Tell Them Who I AmTell Them Who I Am, 1993), 1993)

6 closely documented chapters on the daily grind 6 closely documented chapters on the daily grind –– the active the active workwork –– of homelessness (an ethnography) plus 12 pages of of homelessness (an ethnography) plus 12 pages of recommendations (policy implications)recommendations (policy implications)

Problem: part 1 has nothing to do with part 2Problem: part 1 has nothing to do with part 2

[compare Luhrmann, [compare Luhrmann, Amer. J. PsychAmer. J. Psych., Jan. 08]., Jan. 08]

Michael Marmot (Michael Marmot (Eugene Litwak LectureEugene Litwak Lecture, 2007), 2007)

Monday through Wednesday: More research neededMonday through Wednesday: More research needed

Thursday through Saturday: We know enough; action neededThursday through Saturday: We know enough; action needed

Elliot Liebow (Elliot Liebow (Tell Them Who I AmTell Them Who I Am, 1993), 1993)

6 closely documented chapters on the daily grind 6 closely documented chapters on the daily grind –– the active the active workwork –– of homelessness (an ethnography) plus 12 pages of of homelessness (an ethnography) plus 12 pages of recommendations (policy implications)recommendations (policy implications)

Problem: part 1 has nothing to do with part 2Problem: part 1 has nothing to do with part 2

[compare Luhrmann, [compare Luhrmann, Amer. J. PsychAmer. J. Psych., Jan. 08]., Jan. 08]

Michael Marmot (Michael Marmot (Eugene Litwak LectureEugene Litwak Lecture, 2007), 2007)

Monday through Wednesday: More research neededMonday through Wednesday: More research needed

Thursday through Saturday: We know enough; action neededThursday through Saturday: We know enough; action needed

For the record: 12/04/08 = a Thursday.

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Research for what?Research for what?

Robert Lynd’s Stafford Lectures at Princeton, Robert Lynd’s Stafford Lectures at Princeton,

published in 1939* as published in 1939* as Knowledge for What?Knowledge for What?

A DepressionA Depression--era tour of the troubled heart of era tour of the troubled heart of

American culture American culture –– a call for an engaged professoriata call for an engaged professoriat

Not uniformly well received Not uniformly well received –– and a certain irony in the and a certain irony in the

more vehement objections to his challengemore vehement objections to his challenge

Lynd’s functionalism and the irrelevance of American Lynd’s functionalism and the irrelevance of American

academic lifeacademic life

Robert Lynd’s Stafford Lectures at Princeton, Robert Lynd’s Stafford Lectures at Princeton,

published in 1939* as published in 1939* as Knowledge for What?Knowledge for What?

A DepressionA Depression--era tour of the troubled heart of era tour of the troubled heart of

American culture American culture –– a call for an engaged professoriata call for an engaged professoriat

Not uniformly well received Not uniformly well received –– and a certain irony in the and a certain irony in the

more vehement objections to his challengemore vehement objections to his challenge

Lynd’s functionalism and the irrelevance of American Lynd’s functionalism and the irrelevance of American

academic lifeacademic life

* At the end of “a low dishonest

decade” – more parallels to our own

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About that engaged professoriat About that engaged professoriat ––

not always/inevitably a good thingnot always/inevitably a good thing

As some of you recall As some of you recall –– 1980s and 1990s a good deal of 1980s and 1990s a good deal of commentary space taken up by warring camps of “experts” commentary space taken up by warring camps of “experts” (some of whom actually were, sort of) on causes and solutions to (some of whom actually were, sort of) on causes and solutions to homelessnesshomelessness

Not over yet:Not over yet:

“Look at who the homeless really are. The various subgroups of them “Look at who the homeless really are. The various subgroups of them overlap, so that separating them into categories yields only overlap, so that separating them into categories yields only approximations. But the overall picture is clear. . . .What you see if you to approximations. But the overall picture is clear. . . .What you see if you to look, is craziness, drunkenness, dope and danger. Far from being the look, is craziness, drunkenness, dope and danger. Far from being the index to the nation’s turpitude, the homeless are an encyclopedia of social index to the nation’s turpitude, the homeless are an encyclopedia of social pathology and mental disorder.”pathology and mental disorder.”

(Magnet 2000: 83)(Magnet 2000: 83)

As some of you recall As some of you recall –– 1980s and 1990s a good deal of 1980s and 1990s a good deal of commentary space taken up by warring camps of “experts” commentary space taken up by warring camps of “experts” (some of whom actually were, sort of) on causes and solutions to (some of whom actually were, sort of) on causes and solutions to homelessnesshomelessness

Not over yet:Not over yet:

“Look at who the homeless really are. The various subgroups of them “Look at who the homeless really are. The various subgroups of them overlap, so that separating them into categories yields only overlap, so that separating them into categories yields only approximations. But the overall picture is clear. . . .What you see if you to approximations. But the overall picture is clear. . . .What you see if you to look, is craziness, drunkenness, dope and danger. Far from being the look, is craziness, drunkenness, dope and danger. Far from being the index to the nation’s turpitude, the homeless are an encyclopedia of social index to the nation’s turpitude, the homeless are an encyclopedia of social pathology and mental disorder.”pathology and mental disorder.”

(Magnet 2000: 83)(Magnet 2000: 83)

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Fundamental (cultural?) puzzleFundamental (cultural?) puzzle

How did it happen that Jackson (no dummy) could How did it happen that Jackson (no dummy) could

have been so wrong, so soon? have been so wrong, so soon?

“The housing industry trades on the knowledge that no

Western country can politically afford to permit its citizens to

sleep in the streets.”

Anthony Jackson, A Place Called Home, 1976

How did it happen that Jackson (no dummy) could How did it happen that Jackson (no dummy) could

have been so wrong, so soon? have been so wrong, so soon?

“The housing industry trades on the knowledge that no

Western country can politically afford to permit its citizens to

sleep in the streets.”

Anthony Jackson, A Place Called Home, 1976

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Huge changes Huge changes –– time and culturetime and culture

Then . . . when all this investigative labor began Then . . . when all this investigative labor began (circa 1979):(circa 1979):

BrittanyBrittany

“Depends” “Depends”

Hannah, MontanaHannah, Montana

BeatlesBeatles

NY Cares collected 8,000 coats on its winter driveNY Cares collected 8,000 coats on its winter drive

Phil Mangano (Interagency Council on Phil Mangano (Interagency Council on Homelessness)Homelessness)

More changesMore changes

Then . . . when all this investigative labor began Then . . . when all this investigative labor began (circa 1979):(circa 1979):

BrittanyBrittany

“Depends” “Depends”

Hannah, MontanaHannah, Montana

BeatlesBeatles

NY Cares collected 8,000 coats on its winter driveNY Cares collected 8,000 coats on its winter drive

Phil Mangano (Interagency Council on Phil Mangano (Interagency Council on Homelessness)Homelessness)

More changesMore changes

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Pictured is Ray Ware, Michael Leon Gossett and Phil Mangano at the Solid Rock Records offices during the mid 1970s.

Pictured is Ray Ware, Michael Leon Gossett and Phil Mangano at the Solid Rock Records offices during the mid 1970s.

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11

Changes in 30 years Changes in 30 years –– New York CityNew York City

FundingFunding

Federal: $14 billion (Mangano) vs. $50 million (FEMA, ’83)Federal: $14 billion (Mangano) vs. $50 million (FEMA, ’83)

Shelter explosion (coming)Shelter explosion (coming)

Affordable housing Affordable housing –– continues to grow scarcer,* even continues to grow scarcer,* even with substantial development beginning 1980s**with substantial development beginning 1980s**

Informal shelter Informal shelter –– doubling up (is anybody looking?)doubling up (is anybody looking?)

From “optical assault” (Giuliani) to evidence driven From “optical assault” (Giuliani) to evidence driven policy (Bloomberg) policy (Bloomberg) –– mixed results to date mixed results to date

Litigation and advocacyLitigation and advocacy

The The Jarndyce v. JarndyceJarndyce v. Jarndyce of shelter litigation plods on (Callahan)of shelter litigation plods on (Callahan)

FundingFunding

Federal: $14 billion (Mangano) vs. $50 million (FEMA, ’83)Federal: $14 billion (Mangano) vs. $50 million (FEMA, ’83)

Shelter explosion (coming)Shelter explosion (coming)

Affordable housing Affordable housing –– continues to grow scarcer,* even continues to grow scarcer,* even with substantial development beginning 1980s**with substantial development beginning 1980s**

Informal shelter Informal shelter –– doubling up (is anybody looking?)doubling up (is anybody looking?)

From “optical assault” (Giuliani) to evidence driven From “optical assault” (Giuliani) to evidence driven policy (Bloomberg) policy (Bloomberg) –– mixed results to date mixed results to date

Litigation and advocacyLitigation and advocacy

The The Jarndyce v. JarndyceJarndyce v. Jarndyce of shelter litigation plods on (Callahan)of shelter litigation plods on (Callahan)

* See Bach & Waters (CSS, 2006)

** May only replace what’s lost

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“Single” adult shelter census

Source: New York City Dept. Homeless Services

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Mapped against

percentage black

population

Source: Naa Oyo Kwate, 2007

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Mapped against average income

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“Cultural metabolism” “Cultural metabolism” –– domesticating domesticating

homelessness as a fact of public lifehomelessness as a fact of public life

Baumohl’s observationBaumohl’s observation

A stint in shelter system = de rigueur practicum in social work A stint in shelter system = de rigueur practicum in social work

educationeducation

Unremarked in last 3 presidential electionsUnremarked in last 3 presidential elections

As a (troublesome?) fact of childhood?As a (troublesome?) fact of childhood?

What do parents tell kids? (a small experiment: try at home)What do parents tell kids? (a small experiment: try at home)

StockStock--inin--trade of journalists, novelists, playwrights, trade of journalists, novelists, playwrights,

documentary and other filmdocumentary and other film--makersmakers

Capitalism unchained . . . market niche (Marx gone mad)Capitalism unchained . . . market niche (Marx gone mad)

Baumohl’s observationBaumohl’s observation

A stint in shelter system = de rigueur practicum in social work A stint in shelter system = de rigueur practicum in social work

educationeducation

Unremarked in last 3 presidential electionsUnremarked in last 3 presidential elections

As a (troublesome?) fact of childhood?As a (troublesome?) fact of childhood?

What do parents tell kids? (a small experiment: try at home)What do parents tell kids? (a small experiment: try at home)

StockStock--inin--trade of journalists, novelists, playwrights, trade of journalists, novelists, playwrights,

documentary and other filmdocumentary and other film--makersmakers

Capitalism unchained . . . market niche (Marx gone mad)Capitalism unchained . . . market niche (Marx gone mad)

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Films

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Mc Cann’s Acknowledgments: “Finally, my

thanks to the men and women of the

tunnels of New York who allowed me into

their lives and their homes, especially

Bernard . . .”

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1987: Extensive excerpts from what would be

come Jonathan Kozol’s best-selling book,

Rachel’s Children (1988) – daily life in the

Martinique Hotel

July 1991: James Lardner, Local Correspondent on

“Shantytown,” a settlement on a dusty hummock

adjoining the Canal Street end of the Manhattan

Bridge, called the Hill. The settlement is small, only

about 20 people living in fifteen structures. It is the

most permanent-looking of all the city's current shantytowns.

In February 2006, The New Yorker published an article written by Malcolm Gladwell entitled "Million Dollar Murray." The article, working off the results of a study by Culhane (one that found 80 percent of homeless shelter residents to be in and out very quickly), and makes the case for concentrating on the 10% or so of those who are "chronically homeless" –people with myriad (and costly) problems . .

July 1991: James Lardner, Local Correspondent on

“Shantytown,” a settlement on a dusty hummock

adjoining the Canal Street end of the Manhattan

Bridge, called the Hill. The settlement is small, only

about 20 people living in fifteen structures. It is the

most permanent-looking of all the city's current shantytowns.

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Method: Review of 2500 internal tobacco industry

documents re homeless, mentally ill, homeless service

and advocacy organizations, psychiatric institutions

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PROMO magazine, November 1998“. . . in 1994, Philip Morris . . . distributed

7000 Merit cigarette brand labeled blankets to

New York homeless shelters and homeless

individuals.” ( Apollonio & Malone 2005) –

but, an internal memo reports, “since we are

not in control of the distribution of the

items, we could possibly leave ourselves open

to negative coverage . . .”

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Research for what? Taking stock, 1991 Research for what? Taking stock, 1991

We had learned:We had learned:

Much about the historical specificity of contemporary Much about the historical specificity of contemporary

homelessnesshomelessness

Something about what works in engaging homeless people, Something about what works in engaging homeless people,

earning their trust, relocating in own housingearning their trust, relocating in own housing

Fair amount about scale of presentFair amount about scale of present--day needday need

A little about dynamics of homelessness, larger survival A little about dynamics of homelessness, larger survival

strategies, entries and exits, circulation flowsstrategies, entries and exits, circulation flows

Not much at all about what a solution adequate to the Not much at all about what a solution adequate to the scalescale of of

documented need would look likedocumented need would look like

We had learned:We had learned:

Much about the historical specificity of contemporary Much about the historical specificity of contemporary

homelessnesshomelessness

Something about what works in engaging homeless people, Something about what works in engaging homeless people,

earning their trust, relocating in own housingearning their trust, relocating in own housing

Fair amount about scale of presentFair amount about scale of present--day needday need

A little about dynamics of homelessness, larger survival A little about dynamics of homelessness, larger survival

strategies, entries and exits, circulation flowsstrategies, entries and exits, circulation flows

Not much at all about what a solution adequate to the Not much at all about what a solution adequate to the scalescale of of

documented need would look likedocumented need would look like

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Unaddressed questions, circa 1991Unaddressed questions, circa 1991

Link to employment for single men (abeyance)Link to employment for single men (abeyance)

Opposition to shelter placement, queue jumping and Opposition to shelter placement, queue jumping and general concerns about “need trumping”general concerns about “need trumping”

Polarization of debate: deviance (impaired capacity) vs. Polarization of debate: deviance (impaired capacity) vs. structure (housing, labor, supports)structure (housing, labor, supports)

The object lesson of the spectacle of homelessnessThe object lesson of the spectacle of homelessness

The dilemma of shelter: de fault facility of last resort vs. The dilemma of shelter: de fault facility of last resort vs. emergent need (Stuart Rice [1923!] revisited)emergent need (Stuart Rice [1923!] revisited)

Institutional contributors/circuits of temporary careInstitutional contributors/circuits of temporary care

David Easton: the reflexive question David Easton: the reflexive question –– what about us?what about us?

Link to employment for single men (abeyance)Link to employment for single men (abeyance)

Opposition to shelter placement, queue jumping and Opposition to shelter placement, queue jumping and general concerns about “need trumping”general concerns about “need trumping”

Polarization of debate: deviance (impaired capacity) vs. Polarization of debate: deviance (impaired capacity) vs. structure (housing, labor, supports)structure (housing, labor, supports)

The object lesson of the spectacle of homelessnessThe object lesson of the spectacle of homelessness

The dilemma of shelter: de fault facility of last resort vs. The dilemma of shelter: de fault facility of last resort vs. emergent need (Stuart Rice [1923!] revisited)emergent need (Stuart Rice [1923!] revisited)

Institutional contributors/circuits of temporary careInstitutional contributors/circuits of temporary care

David Easton: the reflexive question David Easton: the reflexive question –– what about us?what about us?

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Add 17+ years Add 17+ years –– stock of research capitalstock of research capital

Some working categoriesSome working categories

Original research that has made a differenceOriginal research that has made a difference

Research that has confirmed field practiceResearch that has confirmed field practice

Research that was really important, but had no impactResearch that was really important, but had no impact

Vanity research (ignored here*)Vanity research (ignored here*)

MethodsMethods

Unscientific surveyUnscientific survey

Very deep reflection and a scrupulously examined Very deep reflection and a scrupulously examined conscienceconscience

Engaged colloquy (this is where Engaged colloquy (this is where youyou come in)come in)

Results (in a minute . . .)Results (in a minute . . .)

Some working categoriesSome working categories

Original research that has made a differenceOriginal research that has made a difference

Research that has confirmed field practiceResearch that has confirmed field practice

Research that was really important, but had no impactResearch that was really important, but had no impact

Vanity research (ignored here*)Vanity research (ignored here*)

MethodsMethods

Unscientific surveyUnscientific survey

Very deep reflection and a scrupulously examined Very deep reflection and a scrupulously examined conscienceconscience

Engaged colloquy (this is where Engaged colloquy (this is where youyou come in)come in)

Results (in a minute . . .)Results (in a minute . . .)

*available on request

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Liebow revisited?Liebow revisited?

Burt (2001): Burt (2001): What will it take to end homelessness?What will it take to end homelessness?

So: housing, jobs, institutional neglect, discrimination So: housing, jobs, institutional neglect, discrimination ––

but but notnot more research?more research?

Burt (2001): Burt (2001): What will it take to end homelessness?What will it take to end homelessness?

So: housing, jobs, institutional neglect, discrimination So: housing, jobs, institutional neglect, discrimination ––

but but notnot more research?more research?

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Two National SymposiaTwo National Symposia(2(2ndnd by invitation only, sorry . . . but just posted ASPE/HUD)by invitation only, sorry . . . but just posted ASPE/HUD)

October, 1998*October, 1998*

Estimating needsEstimating needs

Special pops./youthSpecial pops./youth

Outreach/case mngmtOutreach/case mngmt

Accountability and voiceAccountability and voice

Clinical/survival needsClinical/survival needs

Shelters/transitional hsgShelters/transitional hsg

Systems integrationSystems integration

Reconnect w/communityReconnect w/community

PreventionPrevention

March 2007**March 2007**

AccountabilityAccountability

Chronic homelessnessChronic homelessness

Families/youth/ruralFamilies/youth/rural

History and contextHistory and context

Housing modelsHousing models

IncarcerationIncarceration

Systems changeSystems change

User integration/selfUser integration/self--det.det.

EmploymentEmployment





















* Note: nothing addressing affordable

hsg? Not important? Or not research?** Ditto?

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Two National SymposiaTwo National Symposia(2(2ndnd by invitation only, sorry)by invitation only, sorry)









































* Note: nothing addressing affordable

hsg? Not important? Or not research?** Ditto?

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My initial candidates (partial)My initial candidates (partial)

Original/ImpactOriginal/Impact ConfirmatoryConfirmatory WishlistWishlist

Shelter flow dynamics Shelter flow dynamics

((Burt, Culhane, Caton, Burt, Culhane, Caton,

Lennon et al.) Lennon et al.)

Art of outreach/havenArt of outreach/haven

From early Baumohl, to From early Baumohl, to

Barrow et al. to RoweBarrow et al. to Rowe

Street encampment Street encampment

clearance . . . Where do clearance . . . Where do

they go?they go?

Housing 1st Housing 1st –– effective effective

(Tsemberis); cost(Tsemberis); cost--effective effective

(Culhane); limited (Kertesz)(Culhane); limited (Kertesz)

Deterrence: deflecting Deterrence: deflecting

people elsewhere? people elsewhere? Baumohl et alBaumohl et al..

True prevalence, otherTrue prevalence, other--

wise accommodated wise accommodated (Link et al.)(Link et al.)..

Housing 1st Housing 1st –– effective effective

(Tsemberis); cost(Tsemberis); cost--effective effective

(Culhane); limited (Kertesz)(Culhane); limited (Kertesz)

Deterrence: deflecting Deterrence: deflecting

people elsewhere? people elsewhere? Baumohl et alBaumohl et al..

True prevalence, otherTrue prevalence, other--

wise accommodated wise accommodated (Link et al.)(Link et al.)..

Intensive sIntensive s--t transitional t transitional

case management case management

((Herman, Samuels)Herman, Samuels)

Subsidized housing for Subsidized housing for

families (Shinn, families (Shinn,

Weitzman)Weitzman)

What works when court What works when court

gets involved gets involved –– Simon Simon

& Sabel “flexible” C.D.& Sabel “flexible” C.D.

SupplySupply--side side –– foster care; foster care;

criminal justice, criminal justice,

institutional circuit; institutional circuit;

“art of our necessities “art of our necessities

is strange” (Koegel, is strange” (Koegel,

Lovell, Desjarlais)Lovell, Desjarlais)

Prevention using placePrevention using place--

based targeted assistance?based targeted assistance?

Diversion programs?Diversion programs?

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What do we need to know? Some initial What do we need to know? Some initial

candidatescandidates

NYC homeless administration:NYC homeless administration:

Empirically based ways of tagging people when they arrive Empirically based ways of tagging people when they arrive

at shelter that are at shelter that are –– based on some aggregation of based on some aggregation of

covariates covariates –– best predictors of how long they’ll stay (color best predictors of how long they’ll stay (color

coded beds?)coded beds?)

Marti Burt:Marti Burt:

“Every available study indicates that giving homeless “Every available study indicates that giving homeless

people housing, through [a variety of] mechanism[s], helps people housing, through [a variety of] mechanism[s], helps

ensure that they will not be homeless any more. On the ensure that they will not be homeless any more. On the

other hand, giving them a vast array of different services, other hand, giving them a vast array of different services,

absent housing . . . does not.” absent housing . . . does not.”

NYC homeless administration:NYC homeless administration:

Empirically based ways of tagging people when they arrive Empirically based ways of tagging people when they arrive

at shelter that are at shelter that are –– based on some aggregation of based on some aggregation of

covariates covariates –– best predictors of how long they’ll stay (color best predictors of how long they’ll stay (color

coded beds?)coded beds?)

Marti Burt:Marti Burt:

“Every available study indicates that giving homeless “Every available study indicates that giving homeless

people housing, through [a variety of] mechanism[s], helps people housing, through [a variety of] mechanism[s], helps

ensure that they will not be homeless any more. On the ensure that they will not be homeless any more. On the

other hand, giving them a vast array of different services, other hand, giving them a vast array of different services,

absent housing . . . does not.” absent housing . . . does not.”

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Need to know (cont’d)Need to know (cont’d)

Litigator: Litigator:

Now is no time for more research. We already know enough Now is no time for more research. We already know enough

to act. Invest in practices that have been shown to work.to act. Invest in practices that have been shown to work.

Sociologists:Sociologists:

Link between the Gulf War and homelessnessLink between the Gulf War and homelessness

November ’93 NCH report on 1November ’93 NCH report on 1stst Gulf War vets + homelessnessGulf War vets + homelessness

How European social welfare states prevent homelessnessHow European social welfare states prevent homelessness

Anthropologist:Anthropologist:

How ordinary people reconciled to visible miseryHow ordinary people reconciled to visible misery

Meaning of “crazy” to women on the street Meaning of “crazy” to women on the street

Litigator: Litigator:

Now is no time for more research. We already know enough Now is no time for more research. We already know enough

to act. Invest in practices that have been shown to work.to act. Invest in practices that have been shown to work.

Sociologists:Sociologists:

Link between the Gulf War and homelessnessLink between the Gulf War and homelessness

November ’93 NCH report on 1November ’93 NCH report on 1stst Gulf War vets + homelessnessGulf War vets + homelessness

How European social welfare states prevent homelessnessHow European social welfare states prevent homelessness

Anthropologist:Anthropologist:

How ordinary people reconciled to visible miseryHow ordinary people reconciled to visible misery

Meaning of “crazy” to women on the street Meaning of “crazy” to women on the street

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Institutionalizing the makeshift . . .

Crossroads, a new homeless

shelter in East Oakland, was

built “green” from the ground

up, including solar panels on

the roof.

NYT, 1/28/08

Crossroads, a new homeless

shelter in East Oakland, was

built “green” from the ground

up, including solar panels on

the roof.

NYT, 1/28/08

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Policing the streetsPolicing the streets

NYCNYC

Church steps controversy Church steps controversy –– court ruling 2002court ruling 2002

New encampments initiative,’ 06 New encampments initiative,’ 06 –– 68 housed68 housed

Los AngelesLos Angeles “Here's what is passing for progress on solving Los Angeles' homeless “Here's what is passing for progress on solving Los Angeles' homeless

problem: People won't be arrested for sleeping on the street between 9 problem: People won't be arrested for sleeping on the street between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. . . . That cheerless scenario will exist until the city creates p.m. and 6 a.m. . . . That cheerless scenario will exist until the city creates 1,250 additional units of supportive housing, at which point the city will 1,250 additional units of supportive housing, at which point the city will again be free to arrest people for the crime of sleeping on sidewalks. The again be free to arrest people for the crime of sleeping on sidewalks. The central antidote to homelessness is not a police sweep or a shelter bed. central antidote to homelessness is not a police sweep or a shelter bed. It's housing . . .” (Mangano + Blasi, October 2007)It's housing . . .” (Mangano + Blasi, October 2007)

Miami Miami

NYCNYC

Church steps controversy Church steps controversy –– court ruling 2002court ruling 2002

New encampments initiative,’ 06 New encampments initiative,’ 06 –– 68 housed68 housed

Los AngelesLos Angeles “Here's what is passing for progress on solving Los Angeles' homeless “Here's what is passing for progress on solving Los Angeles' homeless

problem: People won't be arrested for sleeping on the street between 9 problem: People won't be arrested for sleeping on the street between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. . . . That cheerless scenario will exist until the city creates p.m. and 6 a.m. . . . That cheerless scenario will exist until the city creates 1,250 additional units of supportive housing, at which point the city will 1,250 additional units of supportive housing, at which point the city will again be free to arrest people for the crime of sleeping on sidewalks. The again be free to arrest people for the crime of sleeping on sidewalks. The central antidote to homelessness is not a police sweep or a shelter bed. central antidote to homelessness is not a police sweep or a shelter bed. It's housing . . .” (Mangano + Blasi, October 2007)It's housing . . .” (Mangano + Blasi, October 2007)

Miami Miami

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Enlisting the informal sectorEnlisting the informal sector

A tacit confession of failure? Or a necessary A tacit confession of failure? Or a necessary

adjustment to scarcity?adjustment to scarcity?

Examples (Examples (are we documenting this stuff?are we documenting this stuff?))

PATH PATH –– discouraging family units from leaving discouraging family units from leaving

makeshift residential arrangements if they can be makeshift residential arrangements if they can be

made tolerablemade tolerable

“3/4 housing”“3/4 housing”

A tacit confession of failure? Or a necessary A tacit confession of failure? Or a necessary

adjustment to scarcity?adjustment to scarcity?

Examples (Examples (are we documenting this stuff?are we documenting this stuff?))

PATH PATH –– discouraging family units from leaving discouraging family units from leaving

makeshift residential arrangements if they can be makeshift residential arrangements if they can be

made tolerablemade tolerable

“3/4 housing”“3/4 housing”

The missing public debate on thresholds of

adequacy – how “good enough” is established?

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Cro w n He ig h ts , B ro o kly n :

“. . . here, miles from what was not long ago the most notorious skid row in

America . . . a new kind of Bowery makes its home.

The building, an eight-unit residential property at 69 Kingston Avenue, has been

converted into a rooming house for nearly 30 men. The tenants, many of them

formerly homeless and recovering alcoholics and drug addicts, live in small rooms

with space for a bed and little else. Some of the men are covered with bedbug

bites, and some complain about the 11 p.m. curfew and not having a key to the

front door.

Still, the rent for most rooms is a merciful $215 a month, which many of the men

can pay with government assistance checks. The building is neither a homeless shelter nor

a certified adult care facility, and its use as a rooming house violates the city’s Housing

Maintenance Code. Inspectors found in September 2005 that five apartments had

been illegally converted to 18 bedrooms. The violations remain outstanding.”

“The blessing is these guys ain’t homeless,” said Warren

Carter, the manager at 69 Kingston Avenue. “But

technically, yes, I guess this is illegal.”

New York Times, 1/25/08)

Cro w n He ig h ts , B ro o kly n :

“. . . here, miles from what was not long ago the most notorious skid row in

America . . . a new kind of Bowery makes its home.

The building, an eight-unit residential property at 69 Kingston Avenue, has been

converted into a rooming house for nearly 30 men. The tenants, many of them

formerly homeless and recovering alcoholics and drug addicts, live in small rooms

with space for a bed and little else. Some of the men are covered with bedbug

bites, and some complain about the 11 p.m. curfew and not having a key to the

front door.

Still, the rent for most rooms is a merciful $215 a month, which many of the men

can pay with government assistance checks. The building is neither a homeless shelter nor

a certified adult care facility, and its use as a rooming house violates the city’s Housing

Maintenance Code. Inspectors found in September 2005 that five apartments had

been illegally converted to 18 bedrooms. The violations remain outstanding.”

34

The curious tale ofThe curious tale of Housing First . . .Housing First . . .

“Choices” vs. TAU“Choices” vs. TAU

Extending reach of psych rehab to the streets; experimental Extending reach of psych rehab to the streets; experimental design; McKinney II; outreach + respite design; McKinney II; outreach + respite permanent hsg.permanent hsg.

Early results (midEarly results (mid--’90s): ’90s):

Experimental group: > in housing, day program; < trouble Experimental group: > in housing, day program; < trouble meeting basic needs, < time on the streetmeeting basic needs, < time on the street

Reception:Reception:

Ho humHo hum

Response:Response:

Career change for Director Career change for Director

“Choices” vs. TAU“Choices” vs. TAU

Extending reach of psych rehab to the streets; experimental Extending reach of psych rehab to the streets; experimental design; McKinney II; outreach + respite design; McKinney II; outreach + respite permanent hsg.permanent hsg.

Early results (midEarly results (mid--’90s): ’90s):

Experimental group: > in housing, day program; < trouble Experimental group: > in housing, day program; < trouble meeting basic needs, < time on the streetmeeting basic needs, < time on the street

Reception:Reception:

Ho humHo hum

Response:Response:

Career change for Director Career change for Director

“Access to housing resources, even specialty

housing for homeless persons, proved very

difficult to obtain. To gain access to needed

housing for this street-dwelling population,

we developed close relations with a

supported apartment program and ultimately

were forced to initiate our own supported apartment

program. Shern et al. AJPH 2000

35

what was a plea borne of conviction and

commitment is now an argument bolstered by

evidence and experience. Data diligently

collected, rigorously analyzed, reputably

published and avidly circulated, the case for

Housing First is now so well-established that

even a moron could make it . . .

Upshot . . . making the case

what was a plea borne of conviction and

commitment is now an argument bolstered by

evidence and experience. Data diligently

collected, rigorously analyzed, reputably

published and avidly circulated, the case for

Housing First is now so well-established that

even a moron could make it . . .

In fact, in the first term of the Bush administration, unexpected

embrace – cornerstone of its “chronic homelessness” initiative

– of what, in its shamelessly bleeding liberal heart, is a program

founded on a principle (H.R.) that dare not speak its name in

the hallowed corridors of that White House . . . Q.E.D.???

Stroke of pragmatic genius: Incompletely

theorized agreement . . .(Sunstein)

36

Neoliberal State Psych Rehab. Public Health

reduce servicesreduce services

lower costs (!)lower costs (!)

privatizeprivatize

Revised Standard Ed.Revised Standard Ed.

return to full social return to full social

functioningfunctioning

therapeutic pragmatismtherapeutic pragmatism

feasibly build to scalefeasibly build to scale

empirically basedempirically based

notnot--44--profit institutionprofit institution

market collaborationmarket collaboration

“choose, get, keep”“choose, get, keep” “harm reduction”“harm reduction”

nonjudgmental aidnonjudgmental aid

Preference for

Housing First

On grounds of:On grounds of:

economy/efficiencyeconomy/efficiency consumer empowermentconsumer empowerment lesser evil/respect/datalesser evil/respect/data

DespiteDespite::

harm reduction policyharm reduction policy case mgmt. (paternalism)case mgmt. (paternalism) coercion (money mgmt.)coercion (money mgmt.)

37

“. . . the homeless have been an integral part of American

civilization for well over two centuries [and] in many respects, the

homeless of the postindustrial era are better understood as a

variation on a very old theme than as a genuinely new

phenomenon. The same is true of the public response to the

reemergence of the homeless as a social issue. . . . Like the tramps

of the industrial age, the homeless of the postmodern era are an

embarrassing reminder that economic growth has not benefited

all.”

Kusmer 2002: vii, 244-247

The (other) historian’s view . . .

“. . . the homeless have been an integral part of American

civilization for well over two centuries [and] in many respects, the

homeless of the postindustrial era are better understood as a

variation on a very old theme than as a genuinely new

phenomenon. The same is true of the public response to the

reemergence of the homeless as a social issue. . . . Like the tramps

of the industrial age, the homeless of the postmodern era are an

embarrassing reminder that economic growth has not benefited

all.”

Kusmer 2002: vii, 244-247

So maybe Jackson -- “The housing industry trades on the knowledge

that no Western country can politically afford to permit its citizens to

sleep in the streets.” – just didn’t look hard or far back enough . . .

38

"Generally, as you know, over the last 20 years we've been demoralized

on this issue," he said. "The only reports we've had is, 'The numbers are

going up.' In this country in the last five years we've moved from being

demoralized that the issue is intractable to being re-moralized that our

efforts are making a difference. There are visible and measurable,

quantifiable changes in the streets, in the neighborhoods and in the lives

of homeless people in many cities in the country."

Phil Mangano, Los Angeles, October 2007

Positioning ourselves? Spreading gospel vs.

practicing sociology of religion . . .

"Generally, as you know, over the last 20 years we've been demoralized

on this issue," he said. "The only reports we've had is, 'The numbers are

going up.' In this country in the last five years we've moved from being

demoralized that the issue is intractable to being re-moralized that our

efforts are making a difference. There are visible and measurable,

quantifiable changes in the streets, in the neighborhoods and in the lives

of homeless people in many cities in the country."

Phil Mangano, Los Angeles, October 2007

Telling the rest of the story, after the sun sets:

“What tends to take place in the dark . . . is either application

of force to ensure conformity to the values of those who

possess the force; a vacuous tolerance that, engaging nothing

changes nothing; or . . . where the force is unavailable and the

tolerance unnecessary, a dribbling out to an ambiguous end.”

Clifford Geertz, Tanner Lecture (1985)

39

One worry: “When challenged, [researchers*]

argue that the premise is justified, and

rationalize the involvement, in part because

they need to defend the practice in which they

have been engaged.” (Luhrmann 1989: 317)

Final caution . . .

One worry: “When challenged, [researchers*]

argue that the premise is justified, and

rationalize the involvement, in part because

they need to defend the practice in which they

have been engaged.” (Luhrmann 1989: 317)

* I note, but will not comment upon, that the

original subject of this sentence was “witches.”

Education

Research for What? Thirty Years of Homelessness Inquiry...and Counting