About this Research Topic
Homelessness is a complex and evolving phenomenon characterized by severe housing deprivation and profound social marginalization. It encompasses not only "material poverty"—the lack of a home, job, income, and other basic necessities—but also "relational poverty," referring to 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 far-reaching, affecting both individuals and society. Individuals experience educational deficits, reduced life expectancy, and an increased risk of illness and injury. Society, in turn, bears significant social costs, including heightened healthcare expenses, reduced public safety resulting in increased criminal justice expenditures, and lost productivity.
Despite its complexity, homelessness has attracted attention from diverse disciplines such as anthropology, sociology, pedagogy, psychology, medicine, economics, law, and architecture. 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.
In line with the framework of the UN General Assembly's 2023 report, “Inclusive policies and programmes to address homelessness,” this research topic aims to adopt a worldwide approach by recognizing and addressing the global contrasts and the convergence of issues and strategies related to homelessness. The report highlights that while knowledge and policies on homelessness are improving, substantial efforts are still needed. Homelessness is both a concrete violation of human rights and an indicator of extreme poverty and social exclusion. It exists on all continents, albeit with varying manifestations, and is frequently interconnected with a range of other social issues, including poverty, rising inequalities, lack of access to adequate housing, displacement, and gender-based violence.
Preventing and addressing homelessness requires an intersectional approach that considers its multidimensional nature and necessitates holistic policies covering housing, healthcare and services, and social and legal protection. Recognizing these complexities, we aim to advance our understanding and contribute to more effective and compassionate solutions by encouraging inclusive and comprehensive perspectives.
Contributions to this research topic can explore subtopics such as:
• 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.
• Mechanisms and strategies for social inclusion.
• Intersectional Approaches:
• Research that examines how homelessness intersects with issues such as gender-based violence, substance misuse, and mental health.
• Studies on the impact of economic factors, such as lack of decent employment, high energy and healthcare costs, and unbridled property speculation.
• Holistic Policies and Interventions:
• Essays on experimental projects designed and/or implemented to address multiple dimensions of the homelessness phenomenon.
• Policy analyses focusing on housing, healthcare, social services, and legal protections.
• Case Studies:
• In-depth analyses of specific aspects of homelessness.
• Evaluations of intervention strategies and their effectiveness.
Types of Submissions We Welcome:
• Original research articles utilizing quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods.
• Reviews and syntheses of existing literature on homelessness.
• Methodological papers that propose new ways to study homelessness.
• Policy analyses and recommendations.
• Case reports and detailed case studies.
• Essays and theoretical papers exploring new conceptual frameworks.
By fostering a multi-disciplinary dialogue and encouraging diverse methodological approaches, this research topic aims to understand the full scope of homelessness and contribute to the development of effective strategies for inclusion and management.
The consequences of homelessness are far-reaching, affecting both individuals and society. Individuals experience educational deficits, reduced life expectancy, and an increased risk of illness and injury. Society, in turn, bears significant social costs, including heightened healthcare expenses, reduced public safety resulting in increased criminal justice expenditures, and lost productivity.
Despite its complexity, homelessness has attracted attention from diverse disciplines such as anthropology, sociology, pedagogy, psychology, medicine, economics, law, and architecture. 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.
In line with the framework of the UN General Assembly's 2023 report, “Inclusive policies and programmes to address homelessness,” this research topic aims to adopt a worldwide approach by recognizing and addressing the global contrasts and the convergence of issues and strategies related to homelessness. The report highlights that while knowledge and policies on homelessness are improving, substantial efforts are still needed. Homelessness is both a concrete violation of human rights and an indicator of extreme poverty and social exclusion. It exists on all continents, albeit with varying manifestations, and is frequently interconnected with a range of other social issues, including poverty, rising inequalities, lack of access to adequate housing, displacement, and gender-based violence.
Preventing and addressing homelessness requires an intersectional approach that considers its multidimensional nature and necessitates holistic policies covering housing, healthcare and services, and social and legal protection. Recognizing these complexities, we aim to advance our understanding and contribute to more effective and compassionate solutions by encouraging inclusive and comprehensive perspectives.
Contributions to this research topic can explore subtopics such as:
• 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.
• Mechanisms and strategies for social inclusion.
• Intersectional Approaches:
• Research that examines how homelessness intersects with issues such as gender-based violence, substance misuse, and mental health.
• Studies on the impact of economic factors, such as lack of decent employment, high energy and healthcare costs, and unbridled property speculation.
• Holistic Policies and Interventions:
• Essays on experimental projects designed and/or implemented to address multiple dimensions of the homelessness phenomenon.
• Policy analyses focusing on housing, healthcare, social services, and legal protections.
• Case Studies:
• In-depth analyses of specific aspects of homelessness.
• Evaluations of intervention strategies and their effectiveness.
Types of Submissions We Welcome:
• Original research articles utilizing quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods.
• Reviews and syntheses of existing literature on homelessness.
• Methodological papers that propose new ways to study homelessness.
• Policy analyses and recommendations.
• Case reports and detailed case studies.
• Essays and theoretical papers exploring new conceptual frameworks.
By fostering a multi-disciplinary dialogue and encouraging diverse methodological approaches, this research topic aims to understand the full scope of homelessness and contribute to the development of effective strategies for inclusion and management.
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.
