The Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community cordially invites you to submit an abstract for consideration in our special issue on community-based research on homelessness. JPIC, in print since 1995, provides professionals with up-to-date information on effective programs for community intervention and prevention. With an emphasis on mental health and human services development, JPIC is of interest to community-oriented researchers, healthcare and helping professionals considering new models and methods of service delivery and practice in the community, clinical supervisors, education specialists, and human services program administrators. JPIC is published by Taylor & Francis, Inc.
On any given night, an estimated 582,462 people experience homelessness in America (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development [HUD], 2022). The definition of homelessness includes four categories (HUD, 2022): (a) Literally Homelessness; (b) Imminent Risk of Homelessness; (c) Unaccompanied youth; and (d) Fleeing Domestic Violence. Homelessness can impact all individuals regardless of age, race, ethnicity, national origin, biological sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, language, socioeconomic status, religion, and education. Homelessness is a public health crisis (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022); that is, physical illness, mental illness, substance abuse, and other disabilities are all contributors to, and outcomes of, homelessness. In addition, homelessness is a sociocultural issue (e.g., social stigma), a criminal justice issue (e.g., criminalization of homelessness), a human rights issue (e.g., inadequate healthcare), and a sociopolitical issue (e.g., inequity, poverty).
We are soliciting manuscripts that present original empirical research (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods) that either involves direct services to unhoused individuals or analysis of programs or policies directly impacting unhoused individuals or families. Within this context, manuscripts reporting research on a range of topics will be considered. Examples include: innovative interventions that mitigate the adversity of homelessness; interventions that empower unhoused individuals (e.g., provision of opportunities, competence training); novel prevention strategies; novel applications of evidence-based treatments; participatory community action research; use of service-learning pedagogy to support intervention or prevention strategies; transdisciplinary approaches; and research with policy implications.
