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Economic and Noneconomic Factors Influencing Geographic Differentials in Homelessness: An Exploratory State‐Level Analysis

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  • Richard J. Cebula
  • Gigi M. Alexander

Abstract

In this exploratory state‐level empirical study for the United States, the authors estimate a pooled time‐series/cross‐section framework, with control variables for population size and population growth, for the years 2015–2016. Within this context, the least squares estimates lead to the following tentative findings: (1) homelessness is positively associated with the overall cost of living, on the one hand, and the average rent level, on the other hand; (2) homelessness appears to be an increasing function of the percent of the population without a high school diploma but a decreasing function of the percent of the population with a bachelor’s degree or a higher level of formal education; (3) homelessness is a decreasing function of labor market freedoms reflecting the degree of union density and union power, on the one hand, and excessive government employment beyond that needed solely for productive and protective services, on the other hand; (4) homelessness is positively associated with personal freedom from incarceration and arrest; and (5) homelessness is negatively associated with income, as higher income reduces homelessness. Based on these findings, preliminary policy implications are also provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard J. Cebula & Gigi M. Alexander, 2020. "Economic and Noneconomic Factors Influencing Geographic Differentials in Homelessness: An Exploratory State‐Level Analysis," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 79(2), pages 511-540, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ajecsc:v:79:y:2020:i:2:p:511-540
    DOI: 10.1111/ajes.12320
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Early Dirk W. & Olsen Edgar O., 2002. "Subsidized Housing, Emergency Shelters, and Homelessness: An Empirical Investigation Using Data from the 1990 Census," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 2(1), pages 1-36, August.
    2. Deborah A. Cobb-Clark & Anna Zhu, 2017. "Childhood homelessness and adult employment: the role of education, incarceration, and welfare receipt," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 30(3), pages 893-924, July.
    3. Thompson Jr., R.G. & Wall, M.M. & Greenstein, E. & Grant, B.F. & Hasin, D.S., 2013. "Substance-use disorders and poverty as prospective predictors of first-time homelessness in the United States," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(S2), pages 282-288.
    4. Early, Dirk W., 2005. "An empirical investigation of the determinants of street homelessness," Journal of Housing Economics, Elsevier, vol. 14(1), pages 27-47, March.
    5. John M. Quigley & Steven Raphael & Eugene Smolensky, 2001. "Homeless In America, Homeless In California," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 83(1), pages 37-51, February.
    6. White, Halbert, 1980. "A Heteroskedasticity-Consistent Covariance Matrix Estimator and a Direct Test for Heteroskedasticity," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 48(4), pages 817-838, May.
    7. Richard J. Cebula & J.R. Clark, 2011. "Migration, Economic Freedom, and Personal Freedom: An Empirical Analysis," Journal of Private Enterprise, The Association of Private Enterprise Education, vol. 27(Fall 2011), pages 43-62.
    8. W. Lee Hansen, 1963. "Total and Private Rates of Return to Investment in Schooling," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 71(2), pages 128-128.
    9. Richard J. Cebula, 1980. "Determinants of Geographic Living-Cost Differentials in the United States: An Empirical Note," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 56(4), pages 477-481.
    10. Grimes, Paul W. & Chressanthis, George A., 1997. "Assessing the Effect of Rent Control on Homelessness," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 41(1), pages 23-37, January.
    11. Cebula, Richard, 1973. "Interstate Migration and the Tiebout Hypothesis: An Analysis According to Race, Sex, and Age," MPRA Paper 49827, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 01 Feb 1974.
    12. Richard J. Cebula & Andre J. Van Rensburg, 2016. "Does greater labour market freedom lead to lower new home prices in the US? An exploratory inquiry," Applied Economics Letters, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(6), pages 415-419, April.
    13. Christopher K. Coombs & Richard Cebula, 2011. "The Impact of Union Corruption on Union Membership," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(1), pages 131-148, January.
    14. Walter W. McMahon, 1991. "Geographical Cost of Living Differences: An Update," Real Estate Economics, American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association, vol. 19(3), pages 426-450, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Richard J. Cebula & Mpaza Kapembwa & Usha Nair‐Reichert, 2021. "Location choices of undocumented migrants: Does access to higher public education matter?," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(1), pages 167-194, March.
    2. Angel Alcantara & Stephanie M. Brewer & James J. Jozefowicz, 2023. "Rural-Urban Differences in Poverty: An Analysis of Pennsylvania Counties," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 13(5), pages 1-9, September.

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