Homelessness in Europe and the United States: a comparison of prevalence and public opinion

Paul A. Toro; Carolyn J. Tompsett; Sylvie Lombardo; Pierre Philippot; Hilde Nachtergael; Benoit Galand; Natascha Schlienz; Nadine Stammel; Yanélia Yabar; Marc Blune; Linda Mackay; Kate Harvey

doi:10.1111/j.1540-4560.2007.00521.x

Homelessness in Europe and the United States: a comparison of prevalence and public opinion

Paul A. Toro, Carolyn J. Tompsett, Sylvie Lombardo, Pierre Philippot, Hilde Nachtergael, Benoit Galand, Natascha Schlienz, Nadine Stammel, Yanélia Yabar, Marc Blune, Linda Mackay, Kate Harvey

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

101 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Random samples of 250–435 adults were interviewed by telephone in five different nations (N= 1,546): Belgium, Germany, Italy, the UK, and the United States. The interview included questions on respondent attitudes, knowledge, and opinions regarding homelessness; respondents' own personal experiences with homelessness and homeless people; and demographic characteristics of the respondents. The highest rates for lifetime literal homelessness were found in the UK (7.7%) and United States (6.2%), with the lowest rate in Germany (2.4%), and intermediate rates in Italy (4.0%) and Belgium (3.4%). Less compassionate attitudes toward the homeless were also found on many dimensions in the United States and the UK. Possible explanations of these findings, drawn from various theoretical perspectives, and policy implications are provided.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	505-524
Number of pages	20
Journal	Journal of Social Issues
Volume	63
Issue number	3
Early online date	13 Aug 2007
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.2007.00521.x
Publication status	Published - 30 Sept 2007

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title = "Homelessness in Europe and the United States: a comparison of prevalence and public opinion",

abstract = "Random samples of 250–435 adults were interviewed by telephone in five different nations (N= 1,546): Belgium, Germany, Italy, the UK, and the United States. The interview included questions on respondent attitudes, knowledge, and opinions regarding homelessness; respondents' own personal experiences with homelessness and homeless people; and demographic characteristics of the respondents. The highest rates for lifetime literal homelessness were found in the UK (7.7%) and United States (6.2%), with the lowest rate in Germany (2.4%), and intermediate rates in Italy (4.0%) and Belgium (3.4%). Less compassionate attitudes toward the homeless were also found on many dimensions in the United States and the UK. Possible explanations of these findings, drawn from various theoretical perspectives, and policy implications are provided.",

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T2 - a comparison of prevalence and public opinion

AU - Toro, Paul A.

AU - Tompsett, Carolyn J.

AU - Lombardo, Sylvie

AU - Philippot, Pierre

AU - Nachtergael, Hilde

AU - Galand, Benoit

AU - Schlienz, Natascha

AU - Stammel, Nadine

AU - Yabar, Yanélia

AU - Blune, Marc

AU - Mackay, Linda

AU - Harvey, Kate

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DO - 10.1111/j.1540-4560.2007.00521.x

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Homelessness in Europe and the United States: a comparison of prevalence and public opinion

Abstract

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