This chapter demonstrates some of the benefits of conducting carefully constructed, systematic studies of what happens to homeless people over time by presenting findings from a longitudinal study conducted in Ottawa. A sample of 412 people representing five subgroups of individuals based on age, sex, and family status were interviewed while they were homeless; 62% were re-interviewed approximately two years later. Results suggest that institutional regulations and the responsiveness of health and social services affect the ability of different subgroups in the population to exit homelessness.

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