The stories of homelessness as told from the perspectives of the clients, staff, and a researcher at an emergency shelter are presented in this book. It draws material from interviews, shelter documents and historical analysis showing the variety of experiences and attitudes of homeless people.

Being Homeless presents the stories of homelessness as told from the perspectives of the clients, the staff, and a researcher at an emergency shelter. Drawing on in-depth interviews, shelter documents, and historical analysis, the author underscores the necessity for a more comprehensive response to the needs of homeless people.

Introduction - fieldwork and the research problem
a brief history of homelessness
the constructive demography of homelessness
literary constructions
ethnographic constructions
Abbot House and its clients
the local demography of homelessness
staff constructions of the client
narrative practice and the interactive dynamics of client work
client constructions of the shelter and homelessness
conclusion - the lessons of narrativity.