Trauma and Homelessness

Homelessness represents an enduring national tragedy, one that is unequivocally linked to trauma. The research evidence indicates a cyclical relationship between trauma and homelessness in which trauma functions as a cause of homelessness and the experience of being homeless results in chronic exposure to multifaceted sources of trauma. The effects of such exposure can be devastating for homeless persons, especially considering the vulnerability and lack of social supports often demonstrated by homeless people. The relationship of trauma to homelessness is therefore an important public health concern in need of careful study and coordinated, sustained effort. The present entry explores conceptualization of key issues, prevalence and risk factors of home-lessness, the nature of traumatic experiences associated with homelessness, the effects of trauma for the homeless, and ...