Abstract
Although homelessness in urban areas has been analyzed extensively, there is little research and data on homelessness in rural areas, specifically in Appalachia. The goal of this research is to shed some light on rural homeless experiences by comparing them to their urban counterparts. Four people from organizations that work with persons experiencing homelessness were interviewed using a snowball sample and asked questions which compare the causes, services, and solutions for homelessness in rural and urban areas. Based on these interviews, it can be concluded that the issues people experiencing homelessness go through, such as mental health problems and stigma, are similar throughout rural and urban locations, but the causes, services, and solutions for homelessness in Appalachia are distinct to the region and vary from those in urban areas. Some key differences include the visibility of persons experiencing homelessness, the impact of poverty and the opioid epidemic, and the types of barriers on rural and urban care centers. Acknowledging what makes homelessness in Appalachia unique can guide programs and services in their pursuits of preventing and ending homelessness.
Semester/Year of Award
Fall 11-30-2020
Mentor
James N. Maples
Mentor Department Affiliation
Language and Cultural Studies, Anthropology, and Sociology
Access Options
Open Access Thesis
Document Type
Bachelor Thesis
Degree Name
Honors Scholars
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Department
Language and Cultural Studies, Anthropology, and Sociology
IRB Approval Number (if applicable)
3150
Recommended Citation
Frommeyer, Casey, "Rethinking Rural Homelessness: A Comparison of the Causes, Solutions, and Services for Persons Experiencing Homelessness in Appalachia Versus Urban Areas in the United States" (2020). Honors Theses. 783.
https://encompass.eku.edu/honors_theses/783
