Homeless Persons Readmitted to an Urban State Hospital

This survey revealed that staff perceptions about the reasons for homelessness among recidivists were basically correct. However, it found that all recidivists, even those with stable housing, did not comply well with aftercare plans. In their stories of how they became homeless, the patients expressed strong desires for autonomy and independence, which were thwarted by economic factors. Finally, low compliance with aftercare suggests the need for continuity of care for recidivists as well as the need to educate both them and their families about the management of mental illness and utilization of treatment resources.