On the Way Up? : Exploring homelessness and stable housing among homeless people in the Netherlands

Around 31,000 people in the Netherlands were literally homeless in 2015. This thesis focused on the situation of homeless people in the Netherlands and into developments in their situation over time. More insight into the situation of homeless people and into developments over time is relevant for practice and policy making and to improve the quality of life of homeless people. This thesis aimed a) to explore factors - substance use, intellectual disability and care needs - related to homelessness and their development over time among homeless people in the Netherlands, b) to investigate predictors of stable housing, and c) to explore changes in indicators of social exclusion and the association between changes in indicators of social exclusion and psychological distress. A cohort consisting of 500 homeless people in the Netherlands who reported to a central access point for social relief was followed for a period of 2.5 years. Around two-thirds of this cohort were stably housed at 2.5-year follow-up. Although being housed is an important step forward, it is a first step. To maintain a stable housing situation, progress and stability in other life domains is important. The results of the studies presented in this thesis show that the participants are on the way up, but also that ongoing support is still required