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Background
California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness
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Our Research
Barriers and Facilitators to Resolving Older Adult Homelessness Through Stays With Family: Qualitative Findings From the HOPE HOME Study
Journal of Social Distress and Homelessness •
February 8, 2022
Our Research
Barriers and Solutions To Advance Care Planning Among Homeless-Experienced Older Adults
Journal of Palliative Medicine •
September 22, 2020
Our Research
Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening and Surveillance in Homeless Patients: A Case Report and Policy Recommendations
Annals of Surgery Open •
September 1, 2022
News
Bay Area Homelessness Could Be Solved With $11.8 Billion, Says New Report
San Francisco Chronicle •
June 2, 2021
Research Area
Behavioral Health
The stress of experiencing homelessness can amplify previous mental illness and trigger anxiety, depression, fear, substance use, and sleeplessness.
Reports
Behavioral Health and Homelessness
March 19, 2025
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Behavioral Health and Homelessness
Behavioral health challenges both contribute to and are exacerbated by homelessness. To better understand behavioral health and homelessness, we examined data from the California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness. Our latest report examines the relationship between homelessness, substance use, and mental health, providing critical insights for policymakers, program leaders, Continuum of Care leaders, and healthcare systems. Key Findings Nearly half (48%) of people experiencing homelessness in California have complex behavioral health needs—regular drug use, heavy drinking, hallucinations, or recent psychiatric hospitalization. About one-third (35%) report regular drug use; 42% reported that they began to use regularly after the first
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Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative
The Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative (BHHI) provides accurate, timely policy-oriented research about homelessness for local, state, and national policymakers and practitioners. Funded by a generous gift from Marc and Lynne Benioff and based at the UCSF Action Research Center for Health Equity, BHHI aims to be a trusted source for evidence-based practice, policy, and scalable solutions—turning evidence into action to prevent and end homelessness.
News
Berkeley's cash-for-RV program helps clear encampment, offers model for homeless solutions
September 15, 2025
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BHHI Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccination Planning for Homelessness Response Systems
CA Homeless Coordinating & Financing Council, Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, California Health Care Foundation •
February 2, 2021
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BHHI Postdoctoral Scholars Program
Due to funding constraints, we are no longer recruiting for this program. We encourage you to stay connected for updates, new reports, policy briefs, and webinars via social media and our newsletter (scroll to the bottom of the page for links). The BHHI postdoctoral scholars training program educates the next generation of strategic scientists empowered to address upstream causes of homelessness. Our projects rely on various research methodologies including quantitative methods, qualitative methods, or mixed methods and utilize a wide-ranging set of research designs including longitudinal, cross-sectional, quasi-experimental, natural experiments, implementation and translational science, and policy evaluation. Scholars work closely
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BHHI Summer Explore Research Program
Overview The Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative (BHHI) provides accurate, timely policy-oriented research about homelessness for local, state, and national policymakers and practitioners. BHHI is seeking highly motivated students to join our multidisciplinary team for this 8-week summer program. The Summer Explore Fellowships are designed for medical students for the UCSF School of Medicine, who are typically between their first and second year of professional school. The primary goals are to provide a mentored-research experience and to provide students an introduction to conducting strategic science research with communities affected by homelessness. *Update November 15, 2024: BHHI will not be recruiting
News
Biotech Takes On Racial and Social Equity. Are the Efforts Sustainable?
San Francisco Business Times •
March 24, 2021
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Black People Are Increasingly Overrepresented in Sacramento Homeless Population, Report Says
Sacramento Bee •
June 11, 2024
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Boomers Own Half of U.S. Wealth. So Why Are We Seeing More Homeless Boomers?
The Wall Street Journal •
May 13, 2024
Opinion
Breaking the Silence: A Call for Rapid Hepatitis C Testing to Save Black Lives in America
Visible •
February 20, 2024
Our Research
Brief Report: Heterogeneous Preferences for Care Engagement Among People With HIV Experiencing Homelessness or Unstable Housing During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome •
June 1, 2022
Our Research
Bringing COVID-19 Vaccines to High Risk Populations—Like Those Who Are Homeless—Requires a Tailored Approach
BMJ Opinion •
March 22, 2021
News
Building Emergency Housing to Meet the Unique Needs of Older Adults
Route Fifty •
June 21, 2024
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Busting Homeless Myths: Q&A With a California Researcher
The Christian Science Monitor •
July 13, 2023