NCJ Number
123420
Journal
Contemporary Drug Problems Volume: 16 Issue: 3 Dated: (Fall 1989) Pages: 391-414
Date Published
1989
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This article addresses some of the distinctive dimensions of providing housing for homeless persons who abuse drugs and alcohol and argues that service providers must consider housing as a critical issue in rehabilitation.
Abstract
Evidence is formidable for the link between homelessness and alcoholism and drug use. Clearly, housing for such persons as well as for the poor in general is a problem given the depletion of housing affordable for persons having low incomes. It is unfair to blame the homeless for their condition, since in the past persons with low income, including those with alcohol and drug abuse problems, have managed to secure housing of some type. Persons involved in providing services to alcohol and drug abusers must look beyond immediate treatment needs to the provision of low-income housing once formal treatment ends. Communities and even subcultures must be created where certain troublesome and stigmatized populations can have their basic subsistence needs met as a matter of right. The creation of such communities and subcultures will be resisted by many citizens. This requires that special projects for the homeless be linked with comprehensive development schemes, neighborhood security provisions, and regional planning for the "fair share" distribution of "undesirable" programs. 12 notes, 29 references.