Title: homelessness | Definition, Scope, & Causes | Britannica
Headings: Homelessness
Homelessness
social phenomenon
Scope and causes
criminalizing homelessness
Homelessness in the United States
Helping the homeless
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Content: England passed a law in 1977 that required local authorities to house the homeless. However, the Homeless Persons Act promised assistance only to homeless people who were considered a “priority.” This meant that homeless families with children often received help while homeless individuals were turned away. A new law passed in 2017 required local councils to house all of the homeless regardless of their priority status. In the United States, the first major law to address homelessness was the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987. It provided basic services for the homeless, with an emphasis on emergency services. From the early 2000s the government focused on finding transitional or permanent housing for the homeless. It also funded programs aimed at preventing homelessness among youth. In addition to federal efforts, local governments and private groups have played a vital role in funding and running programs to help homeless people. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
This article was most recently revised and updated by Barbara A. Schreiber.