Using clinical and criminal involvement factors to explain homelessness among clients of a psychiatric probation and parole service

This study sought to examine the rate of homelessness and the extent to whi ch lifetime homelessness was associated with clinical factors, such as diag nosis and treatment history; or criminal factors, such as criminal behavior and arrest history, among psychiatric probationers and parolees. Nearly ha lf of the clients screened had experienced homelessness in their lifetime. In a logistic regression model to explain lifetime homelessness, significan t factors were younger age, less education, a greater number of lifetime ar rests, a schizophrenia diagnosis, and reporting both an alcohol and drug pr oblem. Implications for service delivery with this population are discussed .