DOWN AND OUT IN NEW-YORK AND LONDON - A CROSS-NATIONAL COMPARISON OF HOMELESSNESS

Objective: This study compared homelessness in New York City and Londo n to examine the relative roles of individual pathology and structural forces in causing homelessness, the effect of sociopolitical and cult ural differences on PolicY decisions toward solving homelessness, and the effect of broader structural forces on service Programs for the ho meless. Methods: A review of the scholarly literature and news reports was combined with interviews of staff members and homeless persons as sociated with various community agencies in London and New York City. Homelessness in the two cities was compared in relation to definition, demography, nonpsychiatric and psychiatric etiological factors, publi c policy, governmental responses, financial support, service strategie s, and the practicalities of securing services and entitlements. Resul ts and conclusions: The results indicate that characterizations of hom elessness as a trait rather than a state reflect the tensions between social justice, public concepts, and a nation's economic resources. Th e absolute numbers of homeless persons, including those who are mental ly ill, Primarily reflect structural factors such as the availability of low-cost housing and public benefits. The commonalites that mentall y ill homeless Persons share with other vulnerable groups generally ou tweigh their differences. The statutory rights to entitlements may be vitiated in times of shortage, especially for the least capable citize ns, In both countries, efforts have been made to use the voluntary sec tor to serve the homeless, although it has been used much more extensi vely in Britain.