Homelessness in Affluent Societies

This incisive book examines the rise of homelessness in affluent societies and assesses the policies attempting to solve this crisis. Presenting rich empirical case studies from Europe and the Americas with cutting-edge policy examples, it illustrates how local policymakers and third sector organizations try and, in numerous instances, fail to prevent and overcome homelessness and what could be done differently.

Using a novel theoretical framework contributing authors analyse individual, spatial-structural and institutional contexts of homelessness. They evaluate how homelessness emerges, such as the failure to protect women and migrants, and how it can be combatted, including through social work and shelters. The book advances existing scholarship on homelessness and highlights practical examples of action that can be applied to reduce the crisis in the future.

Homelessness in Affluent Societies is a crucial resource for scholars and students of sociology, politics, social and public policy and urban geography. Policymakers, social workers and policy advocates seeking a deeper understanding of this urgent social challenge will also benefit from the insights in this book.