Synthesizing homelessness research: trends, lessons and prospects

This paper presents an overview of some of the key trends emerging from homelessness research to date, lessons to be learned, and some thoughts on the future prospects for homelessness research. Homelessness research draws on a number of academic disciplines, in an international context, and using a wide range of research methods. There is a significant theoretical and empirical research evidence base for understanding the nature and causes of homelessness, and a developing body of research on the impact of intervention strategies. Key challenges for the future include the development of truly multi-disciplinary research and truly international comparative research, as well as greater scientific rigor in both policy oriented and scholarly led research on homelessness