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Future Developments
With the time constraints, we were unable to include several other contributing factors of homelessness. In the future, we plan on improving the accuracy of the prediction model through the integration of other datasets. Numerous studies have examined risk factors for onset of homelessness and identified several risk factor categories such as demographic characteristics, physical and mental health status, substance use, involvement with the criminal justice system, and housing conditions.
Addiction Rates
Substance use, alcohol consumption disorders and illicit drug addictions are important risk factors for homelessness. Previous research has also identified crack cocaine use as a risk factor for becoming and remaining homeless. The rate of alcohol use disorder co-occurring with one or more psychiatric disorders has been identified as five times greater than the general population.
Graduation Rates
Obtaining less than a high school education has also been associated with homelessness, while being a college graduate has been recognized as a protective factor.
Average Income Level
Having no income, lower income, or financial difficulties are risk factors for homelessness. Unemployment, physical health problems, and worsening of general health, as well as mental illness or family history of mental illness have been identified as predictors of homelessness.
DSM diagnosis Per Capita
The physical and mental health of people who are homeless is considerably worse than that of the general population. The prevalence of mental disorders is three to four times higher among the homeless population, with rates of affective and anxiety disorders being particularly high. Rates of DSM diagnoses among the homeless are almost double those among persons who have never been homeless.