International Perspectives on Homelessness in Developed Nations

This collection of original articles highlights the similarities and differences in the status of homelessness and research approaches used to understand this social problem in the US and other developed nations. Articles include literature reviews, studies comparing homelessness across nations, papers that examine specific issues in relation to homelessness in particular nations, and policy oriented discussions Eight different developed nations are in some substantial way considered in one or more of the 11 papers After the US, these nations include the 5 most populous among the world's fully developed nations (i.e., Japan, Germany, France, the UK, and Italy) as well as a few smaller ones (i.e., Australia, the Czech Republic, and Belgium) All papers are by authors and/or based on data from outside of the US

Paul A. Toro is Professor of Psychology at Wayne State University in Detroit. He was President of the Society for Community Research and Action (Division 27, Community Psychology, of the American Psychological Association) in 2003-04. He and his Research Group on Homelessness and Poverty have conducted a wide range of studies on homelessness over the past two decades, including studies on homeless adults, families, and youth. His studies have compared homeless to matched housed samples; assessed prevalence, media coverage, and public opinion; evaluated interventions; tested social psychological theories; collected data across nations; and followed large samples in longitudinal designs.