Exit from Homelessness Individuals with Substance Abuse or Mental Health Problems

This article examines the sociodemographic conditions and the factors influencing the exit of homelessness for three groups of marginalized homeless individuals in Denmark: drug addicts, alcohol abusers, and those with mental health problems. Previous research in the field has only looked superficially at exit of homelessness for these groups. The data used are part of a consultancy report made for The Ministry of Social Affairs published in May 2005. The study is based on a survey conducted in 2004 with 842 individuals who were homeless in 1997, combined with register data from 2002-3 and going back to 1977. We are, therefore, able to examine a broad and detailed set of individual characteristics. Some notable results are that women have a higher probability of surmounting homelessness, public debt is related to a lower probability of exit from homelessness, and a lower or moderate number of convictions is related to a higher probability of finding a way out from homelessness. We discuss these results and the results of previous research in connection with the welfare state and the various public assistance measures targeted at the homeless.