Research about the need for and use of homeless assistance among families and individuals appears contradictory. While several studies suggest that the need for assistance is very great (Hayes, Zonnefield, Bassuk, 2013; Hinton & Cassel 2012), others contend only small numbers of homeless familiesandindividuals actually seek and utilize the servicesavailable (Bassuk, Volk & Olivet, 2010). This study reviews the reasons why families and individuals experience homelessness, and explores the differences in the need for and use of various forms of assistance including education, vocational training, government benefits, and health related supports to name a few. Survey data collected from participants at a local homeless outreach event were analyzed to determine if homeless families receive different amounts and types of support compared to homeless individuals. This research is critically important because the presence and use of assistance is believed to increase the likelihood that a family or individual will return to independent housing.
