Homelessness: Describing the Symptoms, Prescribing a Cure

Publication Date: October 1989

Publisher: Heritage Foundation (Washington, D.C.)

Author(s): John Scanlon

Research Area: Social conditions

Keywords: Welfare

Type: Report

Abstract:

Crafting an effective policy on homelessness will require setting the record straight about how many homeless there are, and about the real reasons they remain on the street after nearly a decade of rapidly increasing assistance. Most important, a wise and sensitive policy requires Congress to focus on the chronic drug abuse and mental illness problems of most homeless Americans. What lawmakers should not do is to heed the selfish demands of those who would exploit homelessness in a campaign for bigger handouts to the housing industry.