Toward a concept of homelessness among aged men

New York City homeless aged men living on the Bowery and in single-room occupancy hotels were contrasted using Bogue's model of skid row social formation. Because of their commonality of being unattached urban males, it had been assumed that they would exhibit similar characteristics and modes of adaptation. It is shown that homelessness is not a uniform category, nor can these men always be easily distinguished from the general populace. Only sociability criteria differentiated these men as a group from their nonhomeless age peers suggesting the appropriateness of an interactive conceptual framework for homelessness. Regression analysis revealed that three of Bogue's four criteria differentiated between Bowery and single-room occupancy men, with the socioeconomic being the most powerful data set. There were also important differences in the way each group handled their social world. The ability of these men to adapt to other environments is discussed.