Journal of Social Issues, Vol. 63, No. 3, 2007, pp. 461--481 Toward an International Understanding of Homelessness ∗ Paul A. Toro Wayne State University After a discussion of definitional issues when studying homelessness and a brief review of the existing research literature in the United States, this article provides an overview of the similarities and differences between the research literatures in the United States and other developed nations. Similarities include many shared characteristics of homeless populations (e.g., over-representation of men and those traditionally discriminated against) and differences include the timing of interest in the topic (earlier in the United States and the United Kingdom) and the extent of social welfare systems (generally less developed in the United States than in Europe). The articles in this issue include literature reviews, studies comparing homelessness across nations, articles that examine specific issues in relation to homelessness in particular nations, and policy-oriented discussions. Toward an International Understanding of Homelessness: An Introduction Homelessness, once considered a problem confined to Third World nations and to periods of war and economic depression, has recently emerged as a major social issue in most developed nations. In the United States, the number of articles published on the topic in both the popular and professional literatures has increased dramatically since 1980 (Buck, Toro, & Ramos, 2004; Lee, Link, & Toro, 1991; Shinn, Burke, & Bedford, 1990) and support for legislation, such as the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, and other policy initiatives continues to be ∗ Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Paul A. Toro, Depart- ment of Psychology, Wayne State University, 5057 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48202 [e-mail:
[email protected]].