Beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge about homelessness: a survey of the general public

Obtained measures of policy-related beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge about homelessness through a telephone survey of a representative sample of 240 persons conducted over nearly a full year in a medium-size northeastern metropolitan area. The study's data were compared to a national poll and to a local study documenting the actual characteristics of homeless persons. The results suggest that citizens are both supportive of and well informed about homelessness. For instance, 58% were willing to pay more taxes to help homeless persons and the mean estimate for the extent of mental illness among the homeless was within the range of estimates found in the local interview study. Few respondent background characteristics predicted belief, attitude, and knowledge variables. The main exceptions were gender and age. Women and younger respondents thought homelessness a more serious problem, saw fewer personal deficits among homeless persons, and perceived employment as more critical in the cause and solution of the problem.