Options and alternatives for sheltering the homeless in a small Northern California community: a qualitative study of individuals experiencing homelessness

Homelessness has been a serious social problem in the United States dating back to the Great Depression and continuing through every economic downturn. Increases have been related to poor public policy. Although federal, state, and local funding have been allocated for emergency homeless shelters, these shelters have only met the needs of a small percentage of the homeless in the United States. This study evaluated perspective of homeless individuals in a small Northern California community regarding shelter options. The focus included the type of shelter the participants felt would most likely end their homelessness and help them transition into mainstream housing. In addition, the study sought data regarding gaps in service by identifying the experiences of the homeless that have been unable to obtain mainstream housing despite having shelter services available to them. The result of the study indicated that the type of community, coupled with a stable place to sleep every night, has the potential to be successful. However, the results revealed that certain shelter and community guidelines were important factors in participants’ view of feasibility of shelter options.