APPLYING CLUSTER-ANALYSIS TO TEST A TYPOLOGY OF HOMELESSNESS BY PATTERN OF SHELTER UTILIZATION - RESULTS FROM THE ANALYSIS OF ADMINISTRATIVE DATA

This study tests a typology of homelessness using administrative data on public shelter use in New York City (1988-1995) and Philadelphia (1 991-1995). Cluster analysis is used to produce three groups (transitio nally, episodically, and chronically homeless) by number of shelter da ys and number of shelter episodes. Results show that the transitionall y homeless, who constitute approximately 80% of shelter users in both cities, are younger less likely to have mental health, substance abuse , or medical problems, and to overrepresent Whites relative to the oth er clusters. The episodically homeless, who constitute 10% of shelter users, are also comparatively young, but are more likely to be non-Whi te, and to have mental health, substance abuse, and medical problems. The chronically homeless, who account for 10% of shelter users, tend t o be older non-White, and to have higher levels of mental health, subs tance abuse, and medical problems. Differences in health status betwee n the episodically and chronically homeless are smaller and in some ca ses the chronically homeless have lower rates (substance abuse in New York; serious mental illness in Philadelphia). Despite their relativel y small number the chronically homeless consume half of the total shel ter days. Results suggest that program planning would benefit from app lication of this typology, possibly targeting the transitionally homel ess with preventive and resettlement assistance, the episodically home less with transitional housing and residential treatment, and the chro nically homeless with supported housing and long-term care programs.