Perceived Reasons for Homelessness in Canada: Testing the Heterogeneity Hypothesis (Report‪)‬

Canadian Journal of Urban Research, Volume 16, Issue 1, pages 112-126. Copyright [c] 2007 by the Institute of Urban Studies All rights of reproduction in any form reserved. ISSN: 1188-3774 One of the most common findings to emerge from research on the homeless over the last two decades is that they are not homogeneous (Rosenheck, Bassuk & Salomon 1999). The homeless are a remarkably diverse group of people that come from all walks of life. They are made up of men & women, single persons & families, young & old people, those with and without mental and physical health problems, rural and urban dwellers, the rich and poor, people with high and low educational and occupational statuses, and racial, ethnic and visible minorities. Illegal immigrants, former criminal offenders, runaway youth, prostitutes, and people with drug and alcohol addictions also contribute to the composition of the population (Varney & Vliet 2008; Chamberlain & MacKenzie 2006; Zald 2004; Burt 1993; Rossi 1989).