It has long been established that access to food, clothing, medical care, and housing are fundamental human rights the world over. Helping the approximately 600,000 Americans and 300,000 Canadians who are currently homeless work toward this goal is a complex undertaking. This text presents the fundamental knowledge and skills that frontline workers need in order to help vulnerable and homeless persons. It provides readers with both an understanding of the lived experiences of those who have faced homelessness and an outline of the interprofessional practice context of services for homeless people. Waegemakers Schiff focuses on the interventions and best practices that have been found to be most effective in making connections, establishing helping relationships, and working with individuals on moving toward stabilization.

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Jeannette Waegemakers Schiff ( MSW, University of Toronto; PhD, Columbia University) is associate professor of social work at the University of Calgary with a background in clinical and organizational services and teaching courses in mental health, addictions, organizational practice, and research. She is a member of the Canadian Homeless Research Network and the steering committee of the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness.