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Public exposure and attitudes about homelessness
Jack Tsai1,2,3, Crystal Y S Lee4, Jianxun Shen5
1United States Department of Veterans Affairs, New England Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center.
Journal of Community Psychology
|December 4, 2018
Summary
Most Americans view homelessness as a significant issue and desire federal intervention. However, opinions on solutions vary based on demographics like gender, income, and political affiliation.
Area of Science:
- Social Science
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Homelessness is a persistent societal problem in the U.S.
- Understanding public attitudes is crucial for effective policy development.
- Previous research indicates varied public perceptions of homelessness causes and solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess U.S. adults' attitudes toward homelessness causes.
- To evaluate beliefs regarding policies and programs for homeless individuals.
- To identify demographic factors influencing these attitudes.
Main Methods:
- A national survey of 541 U.S. adults was conducted in 2016.
- Participants were recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk across 47 states.
- Data collected included perceptions of homelessness, its causes, and policy preferences.
Main Results:
- 78% of respondents identified homelessness as a community problem; 60% predicted an increase.
- Structural, intrinsic, and health factors were commonly cited causes.
- 73%-88% supported increased federal funding and policies for the homeless.
- Female, lower-income, Democrat, and personally exposed individuals showed stronger support.
Conclusions:
- A majority of Americans perceive homelessness as a major problem and support government action.
- Divergent perspectives on addressing homelessness exist, influenced by gender, income, and political affiliation.
- Findings highlight the need for tailored approaches to homelessness policy and interventions.
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