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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. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
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    8. 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.
    9. 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.
    10. 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.
    11. 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.
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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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