Racially Equitable Homeless Services: Exploring Organizational Characteristics.

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Public Health
• Community Health

Background:

• Racial disparities in homelessness persist, highlighting the need for improved equity in homeless services.
• Informal organizations play a significant role in providing services to Black adults experiencing homelessness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the role of informal organizations as preferred service access points for Black adults.
• To explore the values and beliefs of these informal organizations.

Main Methods:

• Community-engaged approach utilizing qualitative methods.
• Thematic analysis of data from 19 representatives of 17 community organizations in a southern city.

Main Results:

• Three key themes emerged: "boots-on-the-ground," "the homelessness response system is inequitable," and "cautious collaboration."
• Findings suggest pathways to enhance local collaboration and inform policies for racial equity in homeless services.

Conclusions:

• Informal organizations bridge critical service gaps for individuals unable or unwilling to access formal services.
• Disconnection between informal organizations and the formal homelessness response system (HRS) can exacerbate racial inequities.
• Community care hubs present a viable model for integrating smaller organizations and fostering a more equitable HRS.