Abstract
In recent years, cities across the world have seen a widespread growth in the homeless population. Individual are considered homeless if they lack a fixed regular, and adequate night residence. We clarifiy that within the category of homeless, those who sleep in a public or private place not meant for human habitation such as the street are considered unhoused. According to the U.S. Department of HUD’s report, the unhoused population increased by 30% from 2015 to 2020, even as the sheltered homeless population declined by 10%. The number of homeless people in the U.S. has reached a record high of 653,104, which is a 12% increase from previous year. This affects millions of individuals in the United States, with the terms ‘unhoused’ and ‘homeless’ often used interchangeably. However, emerging research suggests distinct differences between these populations warranting a nuanced understanding of their experiences and needs. Despite growing recognition of housing insecurity, policy frameworks, and service provisions often conflate unhoused and homeless populations potentially overlooking unique challenges and needs. This conflation may perpetuate ineffective solutions, exacerbating housing insecurity and its consequences. This study investigates the differences between unhoused and homeless populations, exploring their distinct challenges and experiences. The study examines policy frameworks and service provisions to identify gaps and areas for improvement. The study clarifies the conceptual and operational distinctions between unhoused and homeless populations. The revelation culminates into a framework for interpreting and addressing housing insecurity, enhancing policy practice effectiveness.
Presenters
Olumide OguntoluStudent, Master of Architecture, Ball State University, Indiana, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Homeless, Unhoused, Housing Insecurity, Policy Framework, Service Provision, Targeted Policy
