• University of Amsterdam

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• Poverty & Debt,
• Construction & Housing,
• Healthcare & Well-being

Longitudinal research: Preventing repeated homelessness Utrecht

Report on the fifth measurement of a five-year study into recidivism of homelessness in Utrecht

This report concerns the fifth and final measurement of research into the occurrence of repeated homelessness in the Utrecht region. In previous international scientific research, repeat homelessness has been defined by McQuistion et al. (2014) as: 'Having one or more new episodes of homelessness at some point after obtaining housing, during a certain period of time, following a previous episode of homelessness' (pp. 505-513).

Crane et al. (2012) write that repeat homelessness occurs within the first six to eighteen months after obtaining a new place. Several authors (Kuhn & Culhane, 1998; Aubry et al., 2013; Benjaminsen & Andrade, 2015) also show how in northern welfare states (such as the Netherlands) non-white individuals with more complex needs such as mental health problems, substance abuse and medical problems are more likely to be at risk suffer from repeated homelessness.

Repeated homelessness has been high on the agenda in the Utrecht region since 2019. The reason for this is high re-registration figures at the shelter (Van Everdingen et al., 2021; municipality of Utrecht, 20173) and identified risk factors in customer route research (Disgover, 2018). This shows that this is a stubborn problem that requires an integrated approach in several areas of life; Various interventions aimed at preventing repeat homelessness have been deployed (see appendix ten point plan). The Steering Group set up for this purpose has asked the University of Amsterdam through a Research Project Group (of the Salvation Army, Tussenfacility, Lister, Kwintes, Neighborhood Team Utrecht and the municipality of Utrecht) to implement a five-year client-following study. Before you lies the fifth measurement of this research (in Dutch).

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