About this Research Topic

Background

Homelessness is a multifaceted and evolving issue characterized by severe housing deprivation and profound social marginalization. It extends beyond mere material poverty, encompassing relational poverty, which involves the absence of family relationships, friendships, and social connections. This lack of social ties leads to progressive social impoverishment and exclusion from essential healthcare systems and human rights. The consequences of homelessness are extensive, affecting both individuals and society. Individuals face educational deficits, reduced life expectancy, and an increased risk of illness and injury. Society, in turn, incurs significant social costs, including heightened healthcare expenses, reduced public safety, and increased criminal justice expenditures. Despite its complexity, homelessness has garnered attention from various disciplines, including anthropology, sociology, psychology, medicine, and law. National and international welfare policies have been implemented to combat poverty and promote social inclusion. However, given the global rise in homelessness, the full extent of its impact—both socially and from a healthcare perspective—remains underexplored and inadequately analyzed.

This research topic aims to adopt a worldwide approach by recognizing and addressing the global contrasts and convergence of issues and strategies related to homelessness. In line with the UN General Assembly's 2023 report, “Inclusive policies and programmes to address homelessness,” the research seeks to explore the multidimensional nature of homelessness and its intersection with other social issues. The goal is to advance understanding and contribute to more effective and compassionate solutions by encouraging inclusive and comprehensive perspectives. Specific questions include how homelessness intersects with issues such as gender-based violence, substance misuse, and mental health, and what holistic policies can be implemented to address these challenges.

To gather further insights into the global and intersectional nature of homelessness, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Health and Social Living Conditions: Quantitative and qualitative research on the health and/or social living conditions of homeless individuals, studies on visible and invisible dynamics, various forms of exclusion, and related stigma, and mechanisms and strategies for social inclusion.
- Intersectional Approaches: Research examining how homelessness intersects with issues such as gender-based violence, substance misuse, and mental health, and studies on the impact of economic factors like lack of decent employment and high energy and healthcare costs.
- Holistic Policies and Interventions: Essays on experimental projects designed and/or implemented to address multiple dimensions of homelessness, and policy analyses focusing on housing, healthcare, social services, and legal protections.
- Case Studies: In-depth analyses of specific aspects of homelessness and evaluations of intervention strategies and their effectiveness.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Homelessness, Loneliness, Social Exclusion, Social Education, Health and Social Costs

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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