Mental Illness in Homeless Men: A Comparison of Shelter and Street Samples

This study examined the backgrounds and service needs of 152 homeless men. The sample was divided into three groups: "street sample" (used the shelters less than 50% of the time), moderate users of shelters, and high-frequency users of shelters. No significant differences were found between the groups on background variables, psychiatric distress, prior use of psychiatric services, and willingness to receive services. The street sample did report a longer time since living at a fixed address and a need for more social support than did the other two groups of homeless men. Service implications of these findings are discussed.