The Future of Homeless Services: An Introduction

ABSTRACT

Current knowledge about the services and supports needed to help individuals and families exit homelessness and maintain housing is incomplete. To date, there is limited research documenting which services are most effective, the best models of delivery, and recommended intensity and duration. The special issue of the Open Health Services and Policy Journal on The Future of Homeless Services seeks to advance the knowledge base underpinning the effective delivery of services and supports to help people exit homelessness. This article provides an overview of the eight articles that comprise the special issue. The special issue reviews the literature on homeless services in key areas as a step toward establishing the evidence base for best practices, outlining service strategies, and offering recommendations for future research.

Keywords:

Homeless/homelessness, human services, social services, trauma informed care, workforce, outreach, consumer involvement, prevention.