Date of Conferral

4-23-2025

Date of Award

April 2025

Degree

Doctor of Social Work (DSW)

School

Social Work

Advisor

Thomas McLaughlin

Abstract

Homelessness is a complex and multifaceted leading social issue in the United States. Society tends to focus on the individual as the cause of their own homelessness, blaming the victim rather than larger social and/or economic factors. There is an excess amount of data surrounding why/how an individual becomes homeless, but there is very little research examining the leading causes of homelessness in smaller geographic areas, such as counties. This study provides a better understanding and analysis of the leading causes of homelessness in two suburban counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania using binary logistic regression. Using ArcGIS, the study identified potential clusters of causes that emerge in different parts of each county. The study found that the leading cause of homelessness in Chester County was mental health, and in Delaware County, substance abuse and eviction were the two primary causes. Additionally, it was noted that the clusters in each county had a substantial increase in homelessness between the 1st and 2nd years, with Delaware County having more homeless individuals compared to Chester County. Within those clusters, the main reasons why an individual became homeless were mental health, unknown/not documented, and eviction. The findings can inform positive social change by assisting county executives in multiple ways. It will provide general knowledge regarding homelessness; it will provide information to each county regarding clusters of homelessness; it will identify what barriers are prevalent in each county; and it will allow a discussion within each county to determine if the current funding is adequately being directed to the clusters of homelessness determined by this study.

Download

Included in

Social Work Commons

Share

 
COinS