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This presentation provides critical insight on the homelessness. Kim Hopper www.wellesleyinstitute.com Follow us on twitter @wellesleyWI
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1
Research for What?Research for What?
Thirty Years of Homelessness Thirty Years of Homelessness
Inquiry . . . and CountingInquiry . . . and Counting
Research for What?Research for What?
Thirty Years of Homelessness Thirty Years of Homelessness
Inquiry . . . and CountingInquiry . . . and Counting
Kim HopperKim Hopper
Wellesley InstituteWellesley Institute
Mental Health Commission of CanadaMental Health Commission of Canada
Toronto, December 4, 2008Toronto, December 4, 2008
2
A tribute to two heroes . . .A tribute to two heroes . . .
Elliot Liebow (Elliot Liebow (Tell Them Who I AmTell Them Who I Am, 1993), 1993)
6 closely documented chapters on the daily grind 6 closely documented chapters on the daily grind –– the active the active workwork –– of homelessness (an ethnography) plus 12 pages of of homelessness (an ethnography) plus 12 pages of recommendations (policy implications)recommendations (policy implications)
Problem: part 1 has nothing to do with part 2Problem: part 1 has nothing to do with part 2
[compare Luhrmann, [compare Luhrmann, Amer. J. PsychAmer. J. Psych., Jan. 08]., Jan. 08]
Michael Marmot (Michael Marmot (Eugene Litwak LectureEugene Litwak Lecture, 2007), 2007)
Monday through Wednesday: More research neededMonday through Wednesday: More research needed
Thursday through Saturday: We know enough; action neededThursday through Saturday: We know enough; action needed
Elliot Liebow (Elliot Liebow (Tell Them Who I AmTell Them Who I Am, 1993), 1993)
6 closely documented chapters on the daily grind 6 closely documented chapters on the daily grind –– the active the active workwork –– of homelessness (an ethnography) plus 12 pages of of homelessness (an ethnography) plus 12 pages of recommendations (policy implications)recommendations (policy implications)
Problem: part 1 has nothing to do with part 2Problem: part 1 has nothing to do with part 2
[compare Luhrmann, [compare Luhrmann, Amer. J. PsychAmer. J. Psych., Jan. 08]., Jan. 08]
Michael Marmot (Michael Marmot (Eugene Litwak LectureEugene Litwak Lecture, 2007), 2007)
Monday through Wednesday: More research neededMonday through Wednesday: More research needed
Thursday through Saturday: We know enough; action neededThursday through Saturday: We know enough; action needed
For the record: 12/04/08 = a Thursday.
3
Research for what?Research for what?
Robert Lynd’s Stafford Lectures at Princeton, Robert Lynd’s Stafford Lectures at Princeton,
published in 1939* as published in 1939* as Knowledge for What?Knowledge for What?
A DepressionA Depression--era tour of the troubled heart of era tour of the troubled heart of
American culture American culture –– a call for an engaged professoriata call for an engaged professoriat
Not uniformly well received Not uniformly well received –– and a certain irony in the and a certain irony in the
more vehement objections to his challengemore vehement objections to his challenge
Lynd’s functionalism and the irrelevance of American Lynd’s functionalism and the irrelevance of American
academic lifeacademic life
Robert Lynd’s Stafford Lectures at Princeton, Robert Lynd’s Stafford Lectures at Princeton,
published in 1939* as published in 1939* as Knowledge for What?Knowledge for What?
A DepressionA Depression--era tour of the troubled heart of era tour of the troubled heart of
American culture American culture –– a call for an engaged professoriata call for an engaged professoriat
Not uniformly well received Not uniformly well received –– and a certain irony in the and a certain irony in the
more vehement objections to his challengemore vehement objections to his challenge
Lynd’s functionalism and the irrelevance of American Lynd’s functionalism and the irrelevance of American
academic lifeacademic life
* At the end of “a low dishonest
decade” – more parallels to our own
4
About that engaged professoriat About that engaged professoriat ––
not always/inevitably a good thingnot always/inevitably a good thing
As some of you recall As some of you recall –– 1980s and 1990s a good deal of 1980s and 1990s a good deal of commentary space taken up by warring camps of “experts” commentary space taken up by warring camps of “experts” (some of whom actually were, sort of) on causes and solutions to (some of whom actually were, sort of) on causes and solutions to homelessnesshomelessness
Not over yet:Not over yet:
“Look at who the homeless really are. The various subgroups of them “Look at who the homeless really are. The various subgroups of them overlap, so that separating them into categories yields only overlap, so that separating them into categories yields only approximations. But the overall picture is clear. . . .What you see if you to approximations. But the overall picture is clear. . . .What you see if you to look, is craziness, drunkenness, dope and danger. Far from being the look, is craziness, drunkenness, dope and danger. Far from being the index to the nation’s turpitude, the homeless are an encyclopedia of social index to the nation’s turpitude, the homeless are an encyclopedia of social pathology and mental disorder.”pathology and mental disorder.”
(Magnet 2000: 83)(Magnet 2000: 83)
As some of you recall As some of you recall –– 1980s and 1990s a good deal of 1980s and 1990s a good deal of commentary space taken up by warring camps of “experts” commentary space taken up by warring camps of “experts” (some of whom actually were, sort of) on causes and solutions to (some of whom actually were, sort of) on causes and solutions to homelessnesshomelessness
Not over yet:Not over yet:
“Look at who the homeless really are. The various subgroups of them “Look at who the homeless really are. The various subgroups of them overlap, so that separating them into categories yields only overlap, so that separating them into categories yields only approximations. But the overall picture is clear. . . .What you see if you to approximations. But the overall picture is clear. . . .What you see if you to look, is craziness, drunkenness, dope and danger. Far from being the look, is craziness, drunkenness, dope and danger. Far from being the index to the nation’s turpitude, the homeless are an encyclopedia of social index to the nation’s turpitude, the homeless are an encyclopedia of social pathology and mental disorder.”pathology and mental disorder.”
(Magnet 2000: 83)(Magnet 2000: 83)
5
6
Fundamental (cultural?) puzzleFundamental (cultural?) puzzle
How did it happen that Jackson (no dummy) could How did it happen that Jackson (no dummy) could
have been so wrong, so soon? have been so wrong, so soon?
“The housing industry trades on the knowledge that no
Western country can politically afford to permit its citizens to
sleep in the streets.”
Anthony Jackson, A Place Called Home, 1976
How did it happen that Jackson (no dummy) could How did it happen that Jackson (no dummy) could
have been so wrong, so soon? have been so wrong, so soon?
“The housing industry trades on the knowledge that no
Western country can politically afford to permit its citizens to
sleep in the streets.”
Anthony Jackson, A Place Called Home, 1976
7
Huge changes Huge changes –– time and culturetime and culture
Then . . . when all this investigative labor began Then . . . when all this investigative labor began (circa 1979):(circa 1979):
BrittanyBrittany
“Depends” “Depends”
Hannah, MontanaHannah, Montana
BeatlesBeatles
NY Cares collected 8,000 coats on its winter driveNY Cares collected 8,000 coats on its winter drive
Phil Mangano (Interagency Council on Phil Mangano (Interagency Council on Homelessness)Homelessness)
More changesMore changes
Then . . . when all this investigative labor began Then . . . when all this investigative labor began (circa 1979):(circa 1979):
BrittanyBrittany
“Depends” “Depends”
Hannah, MontanaHannah, Montana
BeatlesBeatles
NY Cares collected 8,000 coats on its winter driveNY Cares collected 8,000 coats on its winter drive
Phil Mangano (Interagency Council on Phil Mangano (Interagency Council on Homelessness)Homelessness)
More changesMore changes
8
9
Pictured is Ray Ware, Michael Leon Gossett and Phil Mangano at the Solid Rock Records offices during the mid 1970s.
Pictured is Ray Ware, Michael Leon Gossett and Phil Mangano at the Solid Rock Records offices during the mid 1970s.
10
11
Changes in 30 years Changes in 30 years –– New York CityNew York City
FundingFunding
Federal: $14 billion (Mangano) vs. $50 million (FEMA, ’83)Federal: $14 billion (Mangano) vs. $50 million (FEMA, ’83)
Shelter explosion (coming)Shelter explosion (coming)
Affordable housing Affordable housing –– continues to grow scarcer,* even continues to grow scarcer,* even with substantial development beginning 1980s**with substantial development beginning 1980s**
Informal shelter Informal shelter –– doubling up (is anybody looking?)doubling up (is anybody looking?)
From “optical assault” (Giuliani) to evidence driven From “optical assault” (Giuliani) to evidence driven policy (Bloomberg) policy (Bloomberg) –– mixed results to date mixed results to date
Litigation and advocacyLitigation and advocacy
The The Jarndyce v. JarndyceJarndyce v. Jarndyce of shelter litigation plods on (Callahan)of shelter litigation plods on (Callahan)
FundingFunding
Federal: $14 billion (Mangano) vs. $50 million (FEMA, ’83)Federal: $14 billion (Mangano) vs. $50 million (FEMA, ’83)
Shelter explosion (coming)Shelter explosion (coming)
Affordable housing Affordable housing –– continues to grow scarcer,* even continues to grow scarcer,* even with substantial development beginning 1980s**with substantial development beginning 1980s**
Informal shelter Informal shelter –– doubling up (is anybody looking?)doubling up (is anybody looking?)
From “optical assault” (Giuliani) to evidence driven From “optical assault” (Giuliani) to evidence driven policy (Bloomberg) policy (Bloomberg) –– mixed results to date mixed results to date
Litigation and advocacyLitigation and advocacy
The The Jarndyce v. JarndyceJarndyce v. Jarndyce of shelter litigation plods on (Callahan)of shelter litigation plods on (Callahan)
* See Bach & Waters (CSS, 2006)
** May only replace what’s lost
12
“Single” adult shelter census
Source: New York City Dept. Homeless Services
13
Mapped against
percentage black
population
Source: Naa Oyo Kwate, 2007
14
Mapped against average income
15
“Cultural metabolism” “Cultural metabolism” –– domesticating domesticating
homelessness as a fact of public lifehomelessness as a fact of public life
Baumohl’s observationBaumohl’s observation
A stint in shelter system = de rigueur practicum in social work A stint in shelter system = de rigueur practicum in social work
educationeducation
Unremarked in last 3 presidential electionsUnremarked in last 3 presidential elections
As a (troublesome?) fact of childhood?As a (troublesome?) fact of childhood?
What do parents tell kids? (a small experiment: try at home)What do parents tell kids? (a small experiment: try at home)
StockStock--inin--trade of journalists, novelists, playwrights, trade of journalists, novelists, playwrights,
documentary and other filmdocumentary and other film--makersmakers
Capitalism unchained . . . market niche (Marx gone mad)Capitalism unchained . . . market niche (Marx gone mad)
Baumohl’s observationBaumohl’s observation
A stint in shelter system = de rigueur practicum in social work A stint in shelter system = de rigueur practicum in social work
educationeducation
Unremarked in last 3 presidential electionsUnremarked in last 3 presidential elections
As a (troublesome?) fact of childhood?As a (troublesome?) fact of childhood?
What do parents tell kids? (a small experiment: try at home)What do parents tell kids? (a small experiment: try at home)
StockStock--inin--trade of journalists, novelists, playwrights, trade of journalists, novelists, playwrights,
documentary and other filmdocumentary and other film--makersmakers
Capitalism unchained . . . market niche (Marx gone mad)Capitalism unchained . . . market niche (Marx gone mad)
16
Films
17
Mc Cann’s Acknowledgments: “Finally, my
thanks to the men and women of the
tunnels of New York who allowed me into
their lives and their homes, especially
Bernard . . .”
18
1987: Extensive excerpts from what would be
come Jonathan Kozol’s best-selling book,
Rachel’s Children (1988) – daily life in the
Martinique Hotel
July 1991: James Lardner, Local Correspondent on
“Shantytown,” a settlement on a dusty hummock
adjoining the Canal Street end of the Manhattan
Bridge, called the Hill. The settlement is small, only
about 20 people living in fifteen structures. It is the
most permanent-looking of all the city's current shantytowns.
In February 2006, The New Yorker published an article written by Malcolm Gladwell entitled "Million Dollar Murray." The article, working off the results of a study by Culhane (one that found 80 percent of homeless shelter residents to be in and out very quickly), and makes the case for concentrating on the 10% or so of those who are "chronically homeless" –people with myriad (and costly) problems . .
July 1991: James Lardner, Local Correspondent on
“Shantytown,” a settlement on a dusty hummock
adjoining the Canal Street end of the Manhattan
Bridge, called the Hill. The settlement is small, only
about 20 people living in fifteen structures. It is the
most permanent-looking of all the city's current shantytowns.
19
Method: Review of 2500 internal tobacco industry
documents re homeless, mentally ill, homeless service
and advocacy organizations, psychiatric institutions
20
PROMO magazine, November 1998“. . . in 1994, Philip Morris . . . distributed
7000 Merit cigarette brand labeled blankets to
New York homeless shelters and homeless
individuals.” ( Apollonio & Malone 2005) –
but, an internal memo reports, “since we are
not in control of the distribution of the
items, we could possibly leave ourselves open
to negative coverage . . .”
21
Research for what? Taking stock, 1991 Research for what? Taking stock, 1991
We had learned:We had learned:
Much about the historical specificity of contemporary Much about the historical specificity of contemporary
homelessnesshomelessness
Something about what works in engaging homeless people, Something about what works in engaging homeless people,
earning their trust, relocating in own housingearning their trust, relocating in own housing
Fair amount about scale of presentFair amount about scale of present--day needday need
A little about dynamics of homelessness, larger survival A little about dynamics of homelessness, larger survival
strategies, entries and exits, circulation flowsstrategies, entries and exits, circulation flows
Not much at all about what a solution adequate to the Not much at all about what a solution adequate to the scalescale of of
documented need would look likedocumented need would look like
We had learned:We had learned:
Much about the historical specificity of contemporary Much about the historical specificity of contemporary
homelessnesshomelessness
Something about what works in engaging homeless people, Something about what works in engaging homeless people,
earning their trust, relocating in own housingearning their trust, relocating in own housing
Fair amount about scale of presentFair amount about scale of present--day needday need
A little about dynamics of homelessness, larger survival A little about dynamics of homelessness, larger survival
strategies, entries and exits, circulation flowsstrategies, entries and exits, circulation flows
Not much at all about what a solution adequate to the Not much at all about what a solution adequate to the scalescale of of
documented need would look likedocumented need would look like
22
Unaddressed questions, circa 1991Unaddressed questions, circa 1991
Link to employment for single men (abeyance)Link to employment for single men (abeyance)
Opposition to shelter placement, queue jumping and Opposition to shelter placement, queue jumping and general concerns about “need trumping”general concerns about “need trumping”
Polarization of debate: deviance (impaired capacity) vs. Polarization of debate: deviance (impaired capacity) vs. structure (housing, labor, supports)structure (housing, labor, supports)
The object lesson of the spectacle of homelessnessThe object lesson of the spectacle of homelessness
The dilemma of shelter: de fault facility of last resort vs. The dilemma of shelter: de fault facility of last resort vs. emergent need (Stuart Rice [1923!] revisited)emergent need (Stuart Rice [1923!] revisited)
Institutional contributors/circuits of temporary careInstitutional contributors/circuits of temporary care
David Easton: the reflexive question David Easton: the reflexive question –– what about us?what about us?
Link to employment for single men (abeyance)Link to employment for single men (abeyance)
Opposition to shelter placement, queue jumping and Opposition to shelter placement, queue jumping and general concerns about “need trumping”general concerns about “need trumping”
Polarization of debate: deviance (impaired capacity) vs. Polarization of debate: deviance (impaired capacity) vs. structure (housing, labor, supports)structure (housing, labor, supports)
The object lesson of the spectacle of homelessnessThe object lesson of the spectacle of homelessness
The dilemma of shelter: de fault facility of last resort vs. The dilemma of shelter: de fault facility of last resort vs. emergent need (Stuart Rice [1923!] revisited)emergent need (Stuart Rice [1923!] revisited)
Institutional contributors/circuits of temporary careInstitutional contributors/circuits of temporary care
David Easton: the reflexive question David Easton: the reflexive question –– what about us?what about us?
23
Add 17+ years Add 17+ years –– stock of research capitalstock of research capital
Some working categoriesSome working categories
Original research that has made a differenceOriginal research that has made a difference
Research that has confirmed field practiceResearch that has confirmed field practice
Research that was really important, but had no impactResearch that was really important, but had no impact
Vanity research (ignored here*)Vanity research (ignored here*)
MethodsMethods
Unscientific surveyUnscientific survey
Very deep reflection and a scrupulously examined Very deep reflection and a scrupulously examined conscienceconscience
Engaged colloquy (this is where Engaged colloquy (this is where youyou come in)come in)
Results (in a minute . . .)Results (in a minute . . .)
Some working categoriesSome working categories
Original research that has made a differenceOriginal research that has made a difference
Research that has confirmed field practiceResearch that has confirmed field practice
Research that was really important, but had no impactResearch that was really important, but had no impact
Vanity research (ignored here*)Vanity research (ignored here*)
MethodsMethods
Unscientific surveyUnscientific survey
Very deep reflection and a scrupulously examined Very deep reflection and a scrupulously examined conscienceconscience
Engaged colloquy (this is where Engaged colloquy (this is where youyou come in)come in)
Results (in a minute . . .)Results (in a minute . . .)
*available on request
24
Liebow revisited?Liebow revisited?
Burt (2001): Burt (2001): What will it take to end homelessness?What will it take to end homelessness?
So: housing, jobs, institutional neglect, discrimination So: housing, jobs, institutional neglect, discrimination ––
but but notnot more research?more research?
Burt (2001): Burt (2001): What will it take to end homelessness?What will it take to end homelessness?
So: housing, jobs, institutional neglect, discrimination So: housing, jobs, institutional neglect, discrimination ––
but but notnot more research?more research?
25
Two National SymposiaTwo National Symposia(2(2ndnd by invitation only, sorry . . . but just posted ASPE/HUD)by invitation only, sorry . . . but just posted ASPE/HUD)
October, 1998*October, 1998*
Estimating needsEstimating needs
Special pops./youthSpecial pops./youth
Outreach/case mngmtOutreach/case mngmt
Accountability and voiceAccountability and voice
Clinical/survival needsClinical/survival needs
Shelters/transitional hsgShelters/transitional hsg
Systems integrationSystems integration
Reconnect w/communityReconnect w/community
PreventionPrevention
March 2007**March 2007**
AccountabilityAccountability
Chronic homelessnessChronic homelessness
Families/youth/ruralFamilies/youth/rural
History and contextHistory and context
Housing modelsHousing models
IncarcerationIncarceration
Systems changeSystems change
User integration/selfUser integration/self--det.det.
EmploymentEmployment
October, 1998*October, 1998*
Estimating needsEstimating needs
Special pops./youthSpecial pops./youth
Outreach/case mngmtOutreach/case mngmt
Accountability and voiceAccountability and voice
Clinical/survival needsClinical/survival needs
Shelters/transitional hsgShelters/transitional hsg
Systems integrationSystems integration
Reconnect w/communityReconnect w/community
PreventionPrevention
March 2007**March 2007**
AccountabilityAccountability
Chronic homelessnessChronic homelessness
Families/youth/ruralFamilies/youth/rural
History and contextHistory and context
Housing modelsHousing models
IncarcerationIncarceration
Systems changeSystems change
User integration/selfUser integration/self--det.det.
EmploymentEmployment
* Note: nothing addressing affordable
hsg? Not important? Or not research?** Ditto?
26
Two National SymposiaTwo National Symposia(2(2ndnd by invitation only, sorry)by invitation only, sorry)
October, 1998*October, 1998*
Estimating needsEstimating needs
Special pops./youthSpecial pops./youth
Outreach/case mngmtOutreach/case mngmt
Accountability and voiceAccountability and voice
Clinical/survival needsClinical/survival needs
Shelters/transitional hsgShelters/transitional hsg
Systems integrationSystems integration
Reconnect w/communityReconnect w/community
PreventionPrevention
March 2007**March 2007**
AccountabilityAccountability
Chronic homelessnessChronic homelessness
Families/youth/ruralFamilies/youth/rural
History and contextHistory and context
Housing modelsHousing models
IncarcerationIncarceration
Systems changeSystems change
User integration/selfUser integration/self--det.det.
EmploymentEmployment
October, 1998*October, 1998*
Estimating needsEstimating needs
Special pops./youthSpecial pops./youth
Outreach/case mngmtOutreach/case mngmt
Accountability and voiceAccountability and voice
Clinical/survival needsClinical/survival needs
Shelters/transitional hsgShelters/transitional hsg
Systems integrationSystems integration
Reconnect w/communityReconnect w/community
PreventionPrevention
March 2007**March 2007**
AccountabilityAccountability
Chronic homelessnessChronic homelessness
Families/youth/ruralFamilies/youth/rural
History and contextHistory and context
Housing modelsHousing models
IncarcerationIncarceration
Systems changeSystems change
User integration/selfUser integration/self--det.det.
EmploymentEmployment
* Note: nothing addressing affordable
hsg? Not important? Or not research?** Ditto?
27
My initial candidates (partial)My initial candidates (partial)
Original/ImpactOriginal/Impact ConfirmatoryConfirmatory WishlistWishlist
Shelter flow dynamics Shelter flow dynamics
((Burt, Culhane, Caton, Burt, Culhane, Caton,
Lennon et al.) Lennon et al.)
Art of outreach/havenArt of outreach/haven
From early Baumohl, to From early Baumohl, to
Barrow et al. to RoweBarrow et al. to Rowe
Street encampment Street encampment
clearance . . . Where do clearance . . . Where do
they go?they go?
Housing 1st Housing 1st –– effective effective
(Tsemberis); cost(Tsemberis); cost--effective effective
(Culhane); limited (Kertesz)(Culhane); limited (Kertesz)
Deterrence: deflecting Deterrence: deflecting
people elsewhere? people elsewhere? Baumohl et alBaumohl et al..
True prevalence, otherTrue prevalence, other--
wise accommodated wise accommodated (Link et al.)(Link et al.)..
Housing 1st Housing 1st –– effective effective
(Tsemberis); cost(Tsemberis); cost--effective effective
(Culhane); limited (Kertesz)(Culhane); limited (Kertesz)
Deterrence: deflecting Deterrence: deflecting
people elsewhere? people elsewhere? Baumohl et alBaumohl et al..
True prevalence, otherTrue prevalence, other--
wise accommodated wise accommodated (Link et al.)(Link et al.)..
Intensive sIntensive s--t transitional t transitional
case management case management
((Herman, Samuels)Herman, Samuels)
Subsidized housing for Subsidized housing for
families (Shinn, families (Shinn,
Weitzman)Weitzman)
What works when court What works when court
gets involved gets involved –– Simon Simon
& Sabel “flexible” C.D.& Sabel “flexible” C.D.
SupplySupply--side side –– foster care; foster care;
criminal justice, criminal justice,
institutional circuit; institutional circuit;
“art of our necessities “art of our necessities
is strange” (Koegel, is strange” (Koegel,
Lovell, Desjarlais)Lovell, Desjarlais)
Prevention using placePrevention using place--
based targeted assistance?based targeted assistance?
Diversion programs?Diversion programs?
28
What do we need to know? Some initial What do we need to know? Some initial
candidatescandidates
NYC homeless administration:NYC homeless administration:
Empirically based ways of tagging people when they arrive Empirically based ways of tagging people when they arrive
at shelter that are at shelter that are –– based on some aggregation of based on some aggregation of
covariates covariates –– best predictors of how long they’ll stay (color best predictors of how long they’ll stay (color
coded beds?)coded beds?)
Marti Burt:Marti Burt:
“Every available study indicates that giving homeless “Every available study indicates that giving homeless
people housing, through [a variety of] mechanism[s], helps people housing, through [a variety of] mechanism[s], helps
ensure that they will not be homeless any more. On the ensure that they will not be homeless any more. On the
other hand, giving them a vast array of different services, other hand, giving them a vast array of different services,
absent housing . . . does not.” absent housing . . . does not.”
NYC homeless administration:NYC homeless administration:
Empirically based ways of tagging people when they arrive Empirically based ways of tagging people when they arrive
at shelter that are at shelter that are –– based on some aggregation of based on some aggregation of
covariates covariates –– best predictors of how long they’ll stay (color best predictors of how long they’ll stay (color
coded beds?)coded beds?)
Marti Burt:Marti Burt:
“Every available study indicates that giving homeless “Every available study indicates that giving homeless
people housing, through [a variety of] mechanism[s], helps people housing, through [a variety of] mechanism[s], helps
ensure that they will not be homeless any more. On the ensure that they will not be homeless any more. On the
other hand, giving them a vast array of different services, other hand, giving them a vast array of different services,
absent housing . . . does not.” absent housing . . . does not.”
29
Need to know (cont’d)Need to know (cont’d)
Litigator: Litigator:
Now is no time for more research. We already know enough Now is no time for more research. We already know enough
to act. Invest in practices that have been shown to work.to act. Invest in practices that have been shown to work.
Sociologists:Sociologists:
Link between the Gulf War and homelessnessLink between the Gulf War and homelessness
November ’93 NCH report on 1November ’93 NCH report on 1stst Gulf War vets + homelessnessGulf War vets + homelessness
How European social welfare states prevent homelessnessHow European social welfare states prevent homelessness
Anthropologist:Anthropologist:
How ordinary people reconciled to visible miseryHow ordinary people reconciled to visible misery
Meaning of “crazy” to women on the street Meaning of “crazy” to women on the street
Litigator: Litigator:
Now is no time for more research. We already know enough Now is no time for more research. We already know enough
to act. Invest in practices that have been shown to work.to act. Invest in practices that have been shown to work.
Sociologists:Sociologists:
Link between the Gulf War and homelessnessLink between the Gulf War and homelessness
November ’93 NCH report on 1November ’93 NCH report on 1stst Gulf War vets + homelessnessGulf War vets + homelessness
How European social welfare states prevent homelessnessHow European social welfare states prevent homelessness
Anthropologist:Anthropologist:
How ordinary people reconciled to visible miseryHow ordinary people reconciled to visible misery
Meaning of “crazy” to women on the street Meaning of “crazy” to women on the street
30
Institutionalizing the makeshift . . .
Crossroads, a new homeless
shelter in East Oakland, was
built “green” from the ground
up, including solar panels on
the roof.
NYT, 1/28/08
Crossroads, a new homeless
shelter in East Oakland, was
built “green” from the ground
up, including solar panels on
the roof.
NYT, 1/28/08
31
Policing the streetsPolicing the streets
NYCNYC
Church steps controversy Church steps controversy –– court ruling 2002court ruling 2002
New encampments initiative,’ 06 New encampments initiative,’ 06 –– 68 housed68 housed
Los AngelesLos Angeles “Here's what is passing for progress on solving Los Angeles' homeless “Here's what is passing for progress on solving Los Angeles' homeless
problem: People won't be arrested for sleeping on the street between 9 problem: People won't be arrested for sleeping on the street between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. . . . That cheerless scenario will exist until the city creates p.m. and 6 a.m. . . . That cheerless scenario will exist until the city creates 1,250 additional units of supportive housing, at which point the city will 1,250 additional units of supportive housing, at which point the city will again be free to arrest people for the crime of sleeping on sidewalks. The again be free to arrest people for the crime of sleeping on sidewalks. The central antidote to homelessness is not a police sweep or a shelter bed. central antidote to homelessness is not a police sweep or a shelter bed. It's housing . . .” (Mangano + Blasi, October 2007)It's housing . . .” (Mangano + Blasi, October 2007)
Miami Miami
NYCNYC
Church steps controversy Church steps controversy –– court ruling 2002court ruling 2002
New encampments initiative,’ 06 New encampments initiative,’ 06 –– 68 housed68 housed
Los AngelesLos Angeles “Here's what is passing for progress on solving Los Angeles' homeless “Here's what is passing for progress on solving Los Angeles' homeless
problem: People won't be arrested for sleeping on the street between 9 problem: People won't be arrested for sleeping on the street between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. . . . That cheerless scenario will exist until the city creates p.m. and 6 a.m. . . . That cheerless scenario will exist until the city creates 1,250 additional units of supportive housing, at which point the city will 1,250 additional units of supportive housing, at which point the city will again be free to arrest people for the crime of sleeping on sidewalks. The again be free to arrest people for the crime of sleeping on sidewalks. The central antidote to homelessness is not a police sweep or a shelter bed. central antidote to homelessness is not a police sweep or a shelter bed. It's housing . . .” (Mangano + Blasi, October 2007)It's housing . . .” (Mangano + Blasi, October 2007)
Miami Miami
32
Enlisting the informal sectorEnlisting the informal sector
A tacit confession of failure? Or a necessary A tacit confession of failure? Or a necessary
adjustment to scarcity?adjustment to scarcity?
Examples (Examples (are we documenting this stuff?are we documenting this stuff?))
PATH PATH –– discouraging family units from leaving discouraging family units from leaving
makeshift residential arrangements if they can be makeshift residential arrangements if they can be
made tolerablemade tolerable
“3/4 housing”“3/4 housing”
A tacit confession of failure? Or a necessary A tacit confession of failure? Or a necessary
adjustment to scarcity?adjustment to scarcity?
Examples (Examples (are we documenting this stuff?are we documenting this stuff?))
PATH PATH –– discouraging family units from leaving discouraging family units from leaving
makeshift residential arrangements if they can be makeshift residential arrangements if they can be
made tolerablemade tolerable
“3/4 housing”“3/4 housing”
The missing public debate on thresholds of
adequacy – how “good enough” is established?
33
Cro w n He ig h ts , B ro o kly n :
“. . . here, miles from what was not long ago the most notorious skid row in
America . . . a new kind of Bowery makes its home.
The building, an eight-unit residential property at 69 Kingston Avenue, has been
converted into a rooming house for nearly 30 men. The tenants, many of them
formerly homeless and recovering alcoholics and drug addicts, live in small rooms
with space for a bed and little else. Some of the men are covered with bedbug
bites, and some complain about the 11 p.m. curfew and not having a key to the
front door.
Still, the rent for most rooms is a merciful $215 a month, which many of the men
can pay with government assistance checks. The building is neither a homeless shelter nor
a certified adult care facility, and its use as a rooming house violates the city’s Housing
Maintenance Code. Inspectors found in September 2005 that five apartments had
been illegally converted to 18 bedrooms. The violations remain outstanding.”
“The blessing is these guys ain’t homeless,” said Warren
Carter, the manager at 69 Kingston Avenue. “But
technically, yes, I guess this is illegal.”
New York Times, 1/25/08)
Cro w n He ig h ts , B ro o kly n :
“. . . here, miles from what was not long ago the most notorious skid row in
America . . . a new kind of Bowery makes its home.
The building, an eight-unit residential property at 69 Kingston Avenue, has been
converted into a rooming house for nearly 30 men. The tenants, many of them
formerly homeless and recovering alcoholics and drug addicts, live in small rooms
with space for a bed and little else. Some of the men are covered with bedbug
bites, and some complain about the 11 p.m. curfew and not having a key to the
front door.
Still, the rent for most rooms is a merciful $215 a month, which many of the men
can pay with government assistance checks. The building is neither a homeless shelter nor
a certified adult care facility, and its use as a rooming house violates the city’s Housing
Maintenance Code. Inspectors found in September 2005 that five apartments had
been illegally converted to 18 bedrooms. The violations remain outstanding.”
34
The curious tale ofThe curious tale of Housing First . . .Housing First . . .
“Choices” vs. TAU“Choices” vs. TAU
Extending reach of psych rehab to the streets; experimental Extending reach of psych rehab to the streets; experimental design; McKinney II; outreach + respite design; McKinney II; outreach + respite permanent hsg.permanent hsg.
Early results (midEarly results (mid--’90s): ’90s):
Experimental group: > in housing, day program; < trouble Experimental group: > in housing, day program; < trouble meeting basic needs, < time on the streetmeeting basic needs, < time on the street
Reception:Reception:
Ho humHo hum
Response:Response:
Career change for Director Career change for Director
“Choices” vs. TAU“Choices” vs. TAU
Extending reach of psych rehab to the streets; experimental Extending reach of psych rehab to the streets; experimental design; McKinney II; outreach + respite design; McKinney II; outreach + respite permanent hsg.permanent hsg.
Early results (midEarly results (mid--’90s): ’90s):
Experimental group: > in housing, day program; < trouble Experimental group: > in housing, day program; < trouble meeting basic needs, < time on the streetmeeting basic needs, < time on the street
Reception:Reception:
Ho humHo hum
Response:Response:
Career change for Director Career change for Director
“Access to housing resources, even specialty
housing for homeless persons, proved very
difficult to obtain. To gain access to needed
housing for this street-dwelling population,
we developed close relations with a
supported apartment program and ultimately
were forced to initiate our own supported apartment
program. Shern et al. AJPH 2000
35
what was a plea borne of conviction and
commitment is now an argument bolstered by
evidence and experience. Data diligently
collected, rigorously analyzed, reputably
published and avidly circulated, the case for
Housing First is now so well-established that
even a moron could make it . . .
Upshot . . . making the case
what was a plea borne of conviction and
commitment is now an argument bolstered by
evidence and experience. Data diligently
collected, rigorously analyzed, reputably
published and avidly circulated, the case for
Housing First is now so well-established that
even a moron could make it . . .
In fact, in the first term of the Bush administration, unexpected
embrace – cornerstone of its “chronic homelessness” initiative
– of what, in its shamelessly bleeding liberal heart, is a program
founded on a principle (H.R.) that dare not speak its name in
the hallowed corridors of that White House . . . Q.E.D.???
Stroke of pragmatic genius: Incompletely
theorized agreement . . .(Sunstein)
36
Neoliberal State Psych Rehab. Public Health
reduce servicesreduce services
lower costs (!)lower costs (!)
privatizeprivatize
Revised Standard Ed.Revised Standard Ed.
return to full social return to full social
functioningfunctioning
therapeutic pragmatismtherapeutic pragmatism
feasibly build to scalefeasibly build to scale
empirically basedempirically based
notnot--44--profit institutionprofit institution
market collaborationmarket collaboration
“choose, get, keep”“choose, get, keep” “harm reduction”“harm reduction”
nonjudgmental aidnonjudgmental aid
Preference for
Housing First
On grounds of:On grounds of:
economy/efficiencyeconomy/efficiency consumer empowermentconsumer empowerment lesser evil/respect/datalesser evil/respect/data
DespiteDespite::
harm reduction policyharm reduction policy case mgmt. (paternalism)case mgmt. (paternalism) coercion (money mgmt.)coercion (money mgmt.)
37
“. . . the homeless have been an integral part of American
civilization for well over two centuries [and] in many respects, the
homeless of the postindustrial era are better understood as a
variation on a very old theme than as a genuinely new
phenomenon. The same is true of the public response to the
reemergence of the homeless as a social issue. . . . Like the tramps
of the industrial age, the homeless of the postmodern era are an
embarrassing reminder that economic growth has not benefited
all.”
Kusmer 2002: vii, 244-247
The (other) historian’s view . . .
“. . . the homeless have been an integral part of American
civilization for well over two centuries [and] in many respects, the
homeless of the postindustrial era are better understood as a
variation on a very old theme than as a genuinely new
phenomenon. The same is true of the public response to the
reemergence of the homeless as a social issue. . . . Like the tramps
of the industrial age, the homeless of the postmodern era are an
embarrassing reminder that economic growth has not benefited
all.”
Kusmer 2002: vii, 244-247
So maybe Jackson -- “The housing industry trades on the knowledge
that no Western country can politically afford to permit its citizens to
sleep in the streets.” – just didn’t look hard or far back enough . . .
38
"Generally, as you know, over the last 20 years we've been demoralized
on this issue," he said. "The only reports we've had is, 'The numbers are
going up.' In this country in the last five years we've moved from being
demoralized that the issue is intractable to being re-moralized that our
efforts are making a difference. There are visible and measurable,
quantifiable changes in the streets, in the neighborhoods and in the lives
of homeless people in many cities in the country."
Phil Mangano, Los Angeles, October 2007
Positioning ourselves? Spreading gospel vs.
practicing sociology of religion . . .
"Generally, as you know, over the last 20 years we've been demoralized
on this issue," he said. "The only reports we've had is, 'The numbers are
going up.' In this country in the last five years we've moved from being
demoralized that the issue is intractable to being re-moralized that our
efforts are making a difference. There are visible and measurable,
quantifiable changes in the streets, in the neighborhoods and in the lives
of homeless people in many cities in the country."
Phil Mangano, Los Angeles, October 2007
Telling the rest of the story, after the sun sets:
“What tends to take place in the dark . . . is either application
of force to ensure conformity to the values of those who
possess the force; a vacuous tolerance that, engaging nothing
changes nothing; or . . . where the force is unavailable and the
tolerance unnecessary, a dribbling out to an ambiguous end.”
Clifford Geertz, Tanner Lecture (1985)
39
One worry: “When challenged, [researchers*]
argue that the premise is justified, and
rationalize the involvement, in part because
they need to defend the practice in which they
have been engaged.” (Luhrmann 1989: 317)
Final caution . . .
One worry: “When challenged, [researchers*]
argue that the premise is justified, and
rationalize the involvement, in part because
they need to defend the practice in which they
have been engaged.” (Luhrmann 1989: 317)
* I note, but will not comment upon, that the
original subject of this sentence was “witches.”