PATHWAYS TO HOMELESSNESS AMONG MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN

The country's homeless population has grown and diversified dramatically over the past two decades. Women now make up over 45% of this population, and while public concern about vulnerable children without homes has led to increased attention to the needs of homeless families, older homeless women without children have received far less attention. This study of 11 women aged 45 to 65 examines the circumstances that resulted in their becoming homeless. The life events they experienced are common to many women-marital separation, abusive relationships, illness, and employment discrimination. Their situations reveal the deficiencies of public policies in failing to protect women against common life events.