Homelessness

Cameron Parsell is Professor of Social Science at the University of Queensland.

• Chapter 1: What is Homelessness?Chapter 2: Homelessness as a Societal ProblemChapter 3: Homelessness as the Experience of ViolenceChapter 4: Being a Homeless Service User: Dependence and AutonomyChapter 5: The Experience of Homelessness: Identity and IdentificationChapter 6: What Can Societies Do about Homelessness?Chapter 7: Supportive Housing ModelsChapter 8: What Should We Do about Homelessness?

"This is one of the best texts on the homelessness problem to date, whose wisdom is sure to influence our thinking for years to come. Cameron Parsell, an international expert in the field, draws on his direct service experience, his deep research knowledge, his first-hand engagement with the people who must endure homelessness, and his understanding of the public discourse on poverty and housing policy."—Dennis Culhane, University of Pennsylvania"As I would expect from Professor Parsell, this book is engaging, incisive and utterly compelling. It provides a comprehensive yet highly accessible analysis of homelessness across the wealthy democracies, offering the reader a humane, readable but always challenging perspective on an enduring and unacceptable social injustice. I was particularly pleased to see the book debunk harmful myths that romanticize homelessness as a lifestyle 'choice' and assume all and any charitable 'giving' to homelessness is an unalloyed good. I would highly recommend it to students, scholars, policy makers and also the general reader and concerned citizen who wants to see an end to this devastating social harm that rich countries can and should make a choice to end."—Suzanne Fitzpatrick, Heriot-Watt University"An affecting, cogently argued, and important work, Homelessness: A Critical Introduction not only dismantles socially destructive preconceptions, but replaces them with practical solutions benefiting both those who experience homelessness and the general population."—The Australian"Homelessness by Cameron Parsell is a landmark achievement, a summary of his research and thinking, so far. It will be interesting to see where he goes next. This is a must read to all who are genuinely interested in ending homelessness, whether activists, researchers, or decisions makers. This book will also be an important reference point for all serious future homelessness research."—European Journal of Homelessness"...the book provides a valuable and significant critical argument regarding the nature and study of homelessness as a social problem and what change is required to prevent it. Homelessness: A Critical Introduction is essential reading for researchers, policymakers and practitioners internationally, who are concerned with the problems of homelessness and housing insecurity."—International Journal of Housing Policy"Parsell provides a good overview of the state of research on homelessness in highly industrialized countries.... The book is a worthwhile read as an introduction for both laymen and researchers..."—Soziopolis