Getting off the streets: Economic resources and residential exits from homelessness

Based on a 15-month prospective study, the following variables demonstrated an association with residential stability in a countywide probability sample of 397 homeless adults: female gender, a history of less than 1-year homelessness, absence of a health problem that limited work ability, entitlement-benefit income, and use of subsidized housing. Multivariate analyses show that two forms of public support - entitlement income and subsidized housing - were the most important variables associated with exits from homelessness into stable housing. Homeless adults with substance use disorders were more likely than other homeless adults to obtain unstable, but not stable housing. Homeless adults with mental disorders were no less likely than other homeless adults to report stable housing. Stable housing is necessary to break the cycle of homelessness, and economic resources such as entitlement income and subsidized housing are associated with stable housing for homeless adults.