Homelessness in the United States, Europe, and Russia: A Comparative Perspective [Hardcover]

Carl O. Helvie (Editor), Wilfried Kunstmann (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0897895010 | ISBN-13: 978-0897895019 | Publication Date: May 30, 1999

The editors of this book draw upon professionals in seven industrialized nations to examine the prevalence, causes, trends, demographics, and health concerns of homelessness and to evaluate potential solutions. They also report on the resources available to the homeless by the public and private sectors in each of the seven countries studied; the United States, Germany, the Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Russia, and Spain. Also provided is a comparison of social welfare systems in industrialized nations with perhaps the most current and accurate statistics regarding Russia available in the literature. The two East European countries, the Czech Republic and the Russian Federation, represent the most radical changes, from a state to a free market economy with their social systems turned upside down. While the former socialist governments provided a system of universalistic care and control, the released uncontrolled free market forces have been eroding most social protection for the individual. Consequently, homelessness as a new phenomena affects those who are not able to compete in the free market economy. The editors tie the data and country-specific chapters together with a series of concluding chapters that include discussions of resources to prevent homelessness, financial resources for the unemployed, social welfare benefits for the indigent, access to health care and sickness benefits, affordable housing and housing policies, and public and private resources for the homeless.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This book should find its way onto library shelves and into the hands of those curious aout the details of homelessness data in other industrial countires.”–APA Journal

About the Author

CARL O. HELVIE is Professor of Nursing at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. He has written numerous articles in nursing and health journals and presented research findings at many national and international conferences.

WILFRIED KUNSTMANN is Head of the Department of Community Medicine and General Practice at the medical Faculty of the University of Witten/Hedecke, Germany. He has conducted several studies on homelessness and health care in Germany.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 280 pages
• Publisher: Bergin & Garvey (May 30, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897895010
• ISBN-13: 978-0897895019
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,958,865 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #46 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Current Events > Poverty > Homelessness

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Tired of reading the same old zhit about "The Homeless"....?, October 5, 2003

By 

Ace Backwords (www.geocities.com/acebackwords2002) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Homelessness in the United States, Europe, and Russia: A Comparative Perspective (Hardcover)

Are you tired of reading the same old zhit about "The Homeless"? Then check out a book that was actually WRITTEN by a homeless person, namely, me, Ace Backwords, author of "SURVIVING ON THE STREETS: How To Go Down Without Going Out." Available from amazon.com