Abstract:
The purpose is to investigate the number, causes,
services denied, and reasons for denial of services to
homeless families with children--single parent families
(female and male) and couples--in a tri-county region, Linn,
Benton and Lincoln counties, Oregon. The data for this study
were obtained from monthly survey forms (July 1992- December
1995) completed by Linn, Benton, and Lincoln county agencies
funded by the Community Services Consortium (CSC). In fiscal
years 1993-1995, the homeless and at risk of homelessness
family population (n=2825) received assistance in the form
of emergency shelter, transitional housing, motel/hotel
voucher, information and referral, case management, crisis
intervention, meals, rent mortgage assistance, and utility
assistance. The analysis includes descriptive and
inferential statistics, chi-square.
The number of homeless families served yearly over a
three year period beginning July 1, 1992-June 30, 1995 did
not differ.
There was also no difference (p=.258) in the number of
homeless families served by family type.
The causes of homelessness in Linn, Benton and Lincoln
counties were multiple. Single female parent families most
self reported cause was domestic violence (52.71%). Lack of
affordable housing and (40.96% and 26.07%, respectively)
unemployment (21.69% and 27.15%, respectively) were the more
frequent self reported causes of homelessness for single
male parent families and couples with children.
The three services most denied to homeless families had
to do with shelter--emergency shelter (n=234), rent and
mortgage assistance (n=181), and motel/hotel voucher (n=83).
The two reasons given most frequently by agencies for the
denial of services to homeless families were that the
shelter was full (47.21%) and program was out of funds
(23.04%).
The findings of this study will benefit government and
non profit organizations, including churches, for the
opportunity to better supply the types of services needed,
by improved allocation and use of funds, and to organize
volunteers. By doing this they can help homeless families
regain independence as quickly as possible to become healthy
and productive citizens.
