Sharing Neighbourhoods: Order and Disorder in Homeless-Domiciled Encounters
Description:
The presence of homeless persons in or near residential areas has been characterized as a marker of encroaching urban disorder that undermines neighbourhood quality and engenders fear among residents. Using data compiled from a national survey, the author tests these assumptions by assessing how residential exposure to homelessness influences domiciled respondents. Those who encounter a neighbourhood homeless presence or who live near shleters are likely to witness a range of disorderly and orderly behaviours on the part of homeless persons. These residents tend to view homelessness as a large and growing community problem but do not attribute neighbourhood decline to the homelessness themselves. Contrary to disorder perspectives, residential exposure to homelessness is unrelated to fear among residents.
Type of Resource:
Journal
Publication Date:
2005
Volume:
48
Issue:
8
Pages:
1033-1054
Location:
Thousand Oaks