Conceptualizing an Interdisciplinary Collective Impact Approach to Examine and Intervene in the Chronic Cycle of Homelessness

Abstract

Homelessness is a persistent problem in the United States in general and in Southern California especially. While progress has been made in reducing the number of people experiencing homelessness in the United States from 2007 (647,000) to 2019 (567,000), it remains an entrenched problem. The purpose of this paper is to outline a novel, interdisciplinary academic-practice partnership model to address homelessness. Where singular disciplinary approaches may fall short in substantially reducing homelessness at the community and population level, our model draws from a collective impact model which coordinates discipline-specific approaches through mutually reinforcing activities and shared metrics of progress and impact to foster synergy and sustainability of efforts. This paper describes the necessary capacity-building at the institution and community level for the model, the complementary strengths and contributions of each stakeholder discipline in the proposed model, and future goals for implementation to address homelessness in the Southern California region.

Homelessness at the San Diego Central Library: Assessing the Potential Role of Social Workers

“…Counseling programs, e.g., one associated with retention in a medication-assisted treatment program for people with opioid use disorder [ 36 ], could be offered in public spaces such as libraries via telehealth, but needs to be tested out. In addition, staff trained in crisis intervention, such as social workers, could collaborate with other disciplines (e.g., nursing and public health) to make a collective impact on site [ 37 ]. Other studies have called for the expanded role of public health and social work at public libraries across the nation [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 38 ].…”

From a Criminal to a Human-Rights Issue: Re-Imagining Policy Solutions to Homelessness

“…In addition, our analysis was important in highlighting that homelessness is a complex social issue; as such, it cannot be realistically solved by any singular discipline but instead, requires coordinated cross-sectoral collaboration (Abdel-Samad et al, 2021). To have a meaningful impact, nursing organizations will need to synergize advocacy efforts across and within disciplines.…”

“…To have a meaningful impact, nursing organizations will need to synergize advocacy efforts across and within disciplines. Abdel-Samad et al (2021) recommend the use of multidisciplinary task forces to bring together stakeholders under a shared community agenda. This unified approach can help to centralize efforts of academics, policymakers, practitioners, and individuals with lived experiences by integrating their expertise towards the development of dignified solutions that will effectively address homelessness (Abdel-Samad et al, 2021).…”

Evidence-Based Analysis of Social Impact Bonds for Homelessness: A Scoping Review

“…Countries around the world struggle to manage the human and financial burdens of homelessness. Trends in homelessness remain stubbornly high despite policy initiatives to end homelessness ( Abdel-Samad et al, 2021 ).…”