The Relationship Between the Individual Factors with the Frequency and Duration of Homelessness

Homelessness is an unpleasant condition especially in big cities that some people are experiencing it. Many factors affect the frequency and permanency of homelessness, such as individual, familial, economic, social and environmental factors. In this research, the relationship between individual factors with the frequency and duration of homelessness were studied. This study is a non-experimental study, which was conducted with survey method by a questionnaire, the sample included hundred homeless (eighty male and twenty female), which is proportional to the whole populations of homeless men and women deployed in two shelters (Khavaran and Lavizan) of Tehran municipality. From the existed questionaries around homelessness area of study, the researcher produced a questionnaire, then tested and approved its reliability and formal validity. To ensure about answers; the assessment tool (questionnaire) carried out by face to face interview. There was no strong significant correlation between individual characteristics and frequency of homelessness; which shows the replications of homelessness occurs regardless of age, sex, marital status, relationship with family, employment status and type of providing cost of living; so it implies the strength of other social and family factors. Some conditions and characteristics of these people show a significant correlation with the duration of homelessness, such as increasing communication, emotional and financial support from the family; and also employment is important. The findings confirmed the results of previous studies about the important role of the family, addictions, and employment. Certainly empowerment programs, such as treating addiction and developing family and emotional belonging with paving the way for the elimination of unemployment, can help homeless people to return to the community.