There are three "types" of homeless patrons
There are multiple “types” of homelessness. Experts disagree on exactly how many types there are—and exactly what to call them—so I will simplify it. For our purposes, there are three types:
When library staff expresses concern over its homeless patrons, what they usually really mean is that they are having problems with their chronically homeless patrons.
- Short-Term - Individuals experiencing short-term homelessness aren’t homeless for very long. At the shelter I run, 50% of the people that come to our shelter are out again within 2 weeks. They typically have no major issues. Some sort of financial crisis bumped them out of housing and they scramble quickly to get back.
- Medium-Term - Individuals experiencing medium-term homelessness are homeless for up to one year. This subgroup typically has one—but only one—major issue (e.g. mental illness, substance abuse, health problems, legal problems, etc.). It takes about a year to work through a major life challenge. This is 42% of the residents at our shelter.
- Chronic - Individuals experiencing chronic homelessness are homeless for more than one year (and oftentimes much more). This subgroup has multiple major issues (e.g. mental illness AND substance abuse AND health problems AND legal problems, etc.). It can take years (or forever) to work through multiple serious life challenges. This is 8% of the residents at our shelter in a given year.
When library staff expresses concern over its homeless patrons, what they usually really mean is that they are having problems with their chronically homeless patrons.
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