Applying cluster analysis to test a typology of homelessness by pattern of shelter utilization: Results from the analysis of administrative data
Applying cluster analysis to test a typology of homelessness by pattern of shelter utilization: Results from the analysis of administrative data
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DOI：
10.1023/a:1022176402357
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发表时间：
1998-04-01
影响因子：
3.1
通讯作者：
Culhane, DP
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Kuhn, R;Culhane, DP
本研究利用纽约市（1988-1995 年）和费城（1991-1995 年）公共庇护所使用的行政数据来测试无家可归者的类型。聚类分析用于根据庇护天数和庇护事件次数产生三组（过渡性、偶发性和长期无家可归者）。结果显示，过渡性无家可归者约占这两个城市庇护所使用者的 80%，他们年龄较小，不太可能出现心理健康、药物滥用或医疗问题，并且相对于其他群体，白人的比例过高。临时无家可归者占庇护所使用者的 10%，他们也相对年轻，但更有可能是非白人，并且有心理健康、药物滥用和医疗问题。长期无家可归者占庇护所使用者的 10%，他们往往年龄较大，是非白人，而且心理健康、药物滥用和医疗问题的程度也较高。间歇性无家可归者和长期无家可归者之间的健康状况差异较小，在某些情况下，长期无家可归者的比率较低（纽约的药物滥用；费城的严重精神疾病）。尽管人数相对较少，但长期无家可归的人却占据了庇护所总天数的一半。结果表明，项目规划将受益于这种类型的应用，可能针对过渡性无家可归者提供预防性和重新安置援助，针对间歇性无家可归者提供过渡性住房和住宅治疗，针对长期无家可归者提供支持性住房和长期护理计划。
This study tests a typology of homelessness using administrative data on public shelter use in New York City (1988-1995) and Philadelphia (1991-1995). Cluster analysis is used to produce three groups (transitionally, episodically, and chronically homeless) by number of shelter days and number of shelter episodes. Results show that the transitionally homeless, who constitute approximately 80% of shelter users in both cities, are younger less likely to have mental health, substance abuse, or medical problems, and to overrepresent Whites relative to the other clusters. The episodically homeless, who constitute 10% of shelter users, are also comparatively young, but are more likely to be non-White, and to have mental health, substance abuse, and medical problems. The chronically homeless, who account for 10% of shelter users, tend to be older non-White, and to have higher levels of mental health, substance abuse, and medical problems. Differences in health status between the episodically and chronically homeless are smaller and in some cases the chronically homeless have lower rates (substance abuse in New York; serious mental illness in Philadelphia). Despite their relatively small number the chronically homeless consume half of the total shelter days. Results suggest that program planning would benefit from application of this typology, possibly targeting the transitionally homeless with preventive and resettlement assistance, the episodically homeless with transitional housing and residential treatment, and the chronically homeless with supported housing and long-term care programs.