Do you think it's a big lie in Social Work circles that de-institutionalization doesn't cause homelessness?

Question

I studied for a year at college and all the teachers and practicum supervisors insisted that the program was a big success--without any support, outpatient services, shelters and financial support, people just went home to their families and reintegrated back into society. Most of them were released without anyone having custody over them and they left alone without any guidance or supervision. Some of these people had not been in society since they were young children.

Let's say, for the sake of fairness, there have been some success stories and there are some programs and shelters to help people. That doesn't account for everyone.

Answer 1

There are multiple pieces to your question.

1) Homlessness does not have one cuase. There are multiple events that lead in this direction. Mental health is one, but substance abuse, poverty, choice, and others also can be causes.

2) Deinstitutionalization - was a response to the awful conditions in the institutions. Most were warehoused receiving no treatment. They were literally being held prisoner because of a mental illness.

3) I don't know of any social workers who hold out that deinstitutionalization led to an increase in homlessness. However, most would hold out that to reinstitutionalize is not the solution. It is an unjust response.
DA

Answer 2

Without having done any serious study into de-institutionalization, but having a background in Communications and the social sciences, my gut reaction is that doesn't make sense. If you put someone back in an environment without having given them any new tools with which to change, then nothing will change. It's like addiction, you can't put an addict back in the same environment with the same people and the same relationship patterns and expect them to miraculously have learned the coping skills to resist substance abuse to solve their problems. I don't really see how homelessness is much different. But then again, I haven't read the literature so maybe I could be surprised by something. Just my gut instinct.

Answer 3

At the time of the law's change, releasing the institualized was, to me, a crime. It would have been okay if these people were prepared beforehand & the support systems we have today were in existence then but, as you know, that wasn't the case.

What is offered today differs from state-to-state, county-to-county. Apts are available in my county for every single disabled & homeless person. But I know from personal job experience that not all will accept it.

I don't think that deinstitutionalization is the cause of the majority of homelessness today. I suspect most homeless people are drug and/or alcohol abusers -- not those with mental disabilities.