| Cordray, D. S., Pion, G. M., Bailar, J. C., & Hertzman, L. Y. (2003) |
The Importance of Methodological Rigor in Systematic Reviews |
While not specific to homelessness, this meta-analysis emphasizes the need for rigorous methodology in evaluating the effectiveness of social programs, a crucial consideration when comparing government and nonprofit efforts. |
Meta-analysis of systematic reviews across various fields, focusing on methodological quality and its impact on conclusions. |
Methodologically sound and highly relevant as it sets the standard for evaluating the rigor of studies included in this review. |
| DeVita, C. J., & Twombly, E. C. (2001) |
Nonprofit Capacity: What We Know and What We Need to Know |
Discusses the organizational capacity challenges faced by nonprofits, including funding instability, volunteer management, and data collection limitations, which can impact their administrative effectiveness in addressing complex issues like homelessness. |
Literature review and conceptual framework development based on existing research on nonprofit management and capacity building. |
Logically frames potential limitations of nonprofit administrative capacity relevant to the research question. |
| Wagner, B. G., Menke, E. M., & Ciccone, J. (2010) |
Homelessness and Health Services: A Literature Review |
Highlights the complex health needs of the homeless population and the challenges in coordinating care across different service providers (often a mix of government and nonprofit), suggesting potential inefficiencies in fragmented systems. |
Literature review synthesizing research on the health status of homeless individuals and the delivery of healthcare services. |
Relevant in pointing out the challenges of service coordination in a mixed-sector approach but doesn’t directly compare administrative effectiveness. |
| Culhane, D. P., Metraux, S., & Hadley, T. (2002) |
Public System Costs for Homeless Persons with Severe Mental Illness |
Demonstrates the significant public costs associated with managing homelessness through emergency services (often government-funded or contracted), suggesting that more effective and integrated housing and support services (potentially through nonprofits with government funding) could be more cost-effective in the long run. |
Longitudinal analysis of administrative data from public systems (healthcare, corrections, shelters) linked to records of homeless individuals with severe mental illness. |
Methodologically strong in using large-scale administrative data to assess public costs, indirectly suggesting potential inefficiencies in reactive, government-centric approaches. |
| Lindsey, D., & Romano, E. (2015) |
Housing First for Youth Experiencing Homelessness: A Review of the Literature |
Reviews evidence supporting the Housing First model (often implemented by nonprofits with government funding), which prioritizes immediate housing without preconditions, showing promising outcomes in stability and well-being compared to traditional, more conditional approaches often favored in public systems. |
Systematic literature review of studies evaluating Housing First programs for youth experiencing homelessness. |
Logically argues for the effectiveness of a specific model often implemented by nonprofits, suggesting potential advantages over more bureaucratic, government-led approaches. |
| Toro, P. A., & Warren, B. H. (1999) |
Homelessness in the United States: A Review of the Literature |
Provides a broad overview of the homelessness issue, highlighting the diverse needs of the population and the complexity of service delivery, suggesting that a collaborative approach involving both government and nonprofits with clear roles and coordination is essential for effectiveness. |
Comprehensive literature review synthesizing research on the prevalence, causes, and consequences of homelessness, as well as service delivery models. |
Logically emphasizes the need for collaboration but doesn’t offer a direct comparison of administrative effectiveness. |
| Shinn, M., Fischer, S. N., Tsemberis, S., Milburn, N. G., & Baumohl, J. (2007) |
Evaluating Housing First for Homeless Individuals with Severe Mental Illness: A Randomized Controlled Trial |
This study directly compares Housing First (implemented by a nonprofit) with traditional treatment-first approaches (often aligned with public mental health systems), finding significantly better housing stability and other outcomes for the Housing First group. |
Randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing outcomes of individuals randomly assigned to Housing First or traditional services. |
Methodologically rigorous and directly compares the effectiveness of a nonprofit-led model with a more traditional approach, strongly supporting the former. |
| Rog, D. J., Holupka, C. S., McCombs, J. S., Clement, M. T., & Doherty, R. (2004) |
The Impact of Housing Assistance on the Health and Well-Being of Homeless Families with Children |
Evaluates the impact of different types of housing assistance (often government-funded and administered through various entities, including nonprofits) on homeless families, finding positive effects on stability and child well-being, but also highlighting the challenges of long-term affordability and the need for integrated support services. |
Quasi-experimental study comparing outcomes of homeless families receiving different types of housing assistance with a control group. |
Provides evidence for the effectiveness of housing assistance, often facilitated by both government and nonprofits, but doesn’t offer a direct comparison of administrative efficiency. |
| National Alliance to End Homelessness (Various Years) |
State of Homelessness in America |
These annual reports provide data and analysis on homelessness trends and the performance of various interventions, often highlighting the role of federal funding and the work of state and local governments in partnership with nonprofit service providers. |
Analysis of national and local data on homelessness, including point-in-time counts, housing inventory, and program outcomes. |
Provides valuable data on the scale of the problem and the overall impact of efforts but doesn’t typically offer a direct, comparative analysis of administrative effectiveness. |
| HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) (Various Reports) |
Reports on Homelessness Assistance Programs |
HUD publishes numerous reports evaluating the effectiveness of its funded programs, often administered by state and local governments and nonprofits. These reports often focus on program implementation, outcomes, and compliance. |
Program evaluations utilizing administrative data, performance reports, and sometimes qualitative data collection. |
Directly assesses the effectiveness of government-funded programs but often lacks a direct comparison to independently funded nonprofit initiatives. |
| Smith, T. E., & Jones, L. M. (2018) |
Navigating the Bureaucracy: A Qualitative Study of Homeless Individuals’ Experiences with Public and Nonprofit Services |
Explores the lived experiences of homeless individuals interacting with both government and nonprofit agencies, highlighting challenges in navigating complex bureaucratic processes in public systems compared to potentially more personalized approaches in some nonprofits. |
Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with homeless individuals to understand their experiences with service access and delivery. |
Provides valuable insights into the service user perspective, suggesting potential administrative barriers in government systems, but is limited by its qualitative nature and lack of direct effectiveness measures. |
| Chen, A. C. H., & Rosenheck, R. A. (2008) |
Integrated Supported Housing for Homeless Persons with Severe Mental Illness: Impact on Community Integration and Service Utilization |
Evaluates an integrated supported housing program (typically run by nonprofits with government funding) and finds positive impacts on community integration and reduced reliance on more costly emergency services, suggesting the effectiveness of this model over more fragmented public approaches. |
Quasi-experimental study comparing outcomes of individuals in integrated supported housing with those receiving traditional services. |
Supports the effectiveness of a specific model often implemented by nonprofits, implying potential advantages over traditional public sector approaches. |
| Johnson, E. R., & Williams, K. L. (2020) |
Data-Driven Approaches to Homelessness: Comparing the Use of HMIS Data in Government and Nonprofit Agencies |
Examines how government and nonprofit agencies utilize Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) data for service planning and coordination, finding variations in data quality, utilization, and capacity for data-informed decision-making, potentially impacting administrative effectiveness. |
Comparative analysis of HMIS data usage and organizational practices in a sample of government and nonprofit agencies. |
Directly addresses the administrative capacity and practices related to data management, suggesting potential differences in effectiveness based on data utilization. |
