A Rural Problem Too: Homelessness Beyond the Big Cities

Abstract

The homeless in rural areas and smaller towns and cities have largely been overlooked. While some are literally homeless, the majority are living in extremely precarious housing situations. Some are moving from one overcrowded housing to another, some sleep in vehicles, some camp in isolated areas and some face imminent eviction from their homes. Majority of the homeless are in the parts of the US where poverty primarily reflects conditions among racial or ethnic minority groups. However, a significant number of organizations are calling for the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to adopt a definition of homelessness that is broader and would be more accurately reflect the experience of homeless persons in rural areas. Meanwhile, rural homelessness is the result of poverty and the lack of affordable housing. However, additional reasons include disability, eviction, family breakup, family violence and abuse, financial problems and others.

Department(s)

Geography, Geology, and Planning

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-1-2007

Journal Title

Planning

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