Responding to America's Homeless: Public Policy Alternatives

This useful and clearly written book provides a discussionof the major issues involved in dealing with the homeless, summarizes information available from a number of studies, and draws conclusions about current public policy and future policy alternatives. . . . An important addition to any library dealing with contemporary social concerns. Choice

The homeless have become more and more numerous and visible in our society. Responding to America's Homeless presents the most complete, up-to-date scientific evidence concerning the nature, extent, and causes of homelessness. Using an unprecedented survey of 1,000 homeless individuals and families, as well as previous national, local, and scholarly research, the authors draw a vivid portrait of the homeless population and their needs. They challenge the widely held view that most homeless are mentally ill, proposing an original classification of the homeless based on needs for various forms of assistance. On the basis of this empirical research, the authors evaluate current public policies for dealing with the homeless and present alternative plans aimed at returning homeless people to more normal, secure circumstances.

F. STEVENS REDBURN is a Senior Analyst in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and has directed a series of national studies on urban programs. He is the co-author, with Terry F. Buss, of two books on mass unemployment and public policy. In 1984 he worked on HUD's national study of the homeless and emergency shelters.

TERRY F. BUSS is Director of the Center for Urban Studies at Youngstown State University. He has published seven books and numerous articles on public policy.