A Preliminary Study of Elderly Emergency Service Clients in Chicago and Their Housing-Related Problems

Emergencies to which city agencies respond reveal a connection between homelessness and other housing hardships of the elderly. This study examines a random sample of 125 case records of elderly clients assisted by the Chicago Department of Human Services Emergency Services program between 1984 and 1987. The crises that lead to emergency services, the extent of clients' housing-related problems, and the needs that cluster around shelter placement and other housing related problems are analyzed An extraordinarily broad range of problems and service needs are identified The findings reveal the prevalence of housing problems for the elderly and the relationship between basic needs, patterns of services offered, and certain emergencies, includ ing homelessness. They have implications for improving client services and underscore the importance of ongoing rather than emergency assistance with the elderly. Very old persons without kin who experience crises are at great risk and pose growing dilemmas for urban public agencies.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/68265/2/10.1177_073346489201100102.pd

ECONOMIC RESOURCES OF THE HOMELESS: EVIDENCE FROM LOS ANGELES

This paper examines the economic resources of homeless adults using a unique data set from Los Angeles. The homeless rely on a variety of sources for income; the two most common sources are the government and the family. Over 58% received government transfers in the 30 days prior to the interview, while one-third had received cash assistance from a family member or friend. Familial transfers in the form of shared housing and meals also are important. While familial transfers buffer declines in income among the homeless, private support networks are not pervasive enough to overcome the severe difficulties the homeless face. Moreover, it is unclear why such a high share of the homeless do not participate in government assistance programs, although the evidence suggests that transaction costs are likely to be an important factor. Copyright 1998 Western Economic Association International.