Hidden to Whom? Aspects of Visibility among People Who Died While Affected by Homelessness and Implications for Outreach

Abstract

Service providers and researchers often describe people affected by homelessness as hidden. This study aims to study social relationships and implications for outreach services through a qualitative content analysis of reports written by field investigators for the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator that involve people affected by homelessness who died between 2014 and 2019 across the state ( N = 512). Findings describe variation in what is newly conceptualized as the aspects of the visibility framework, which organizes people as most engaged and surveilled, most visible and exposed, or most hidden. Recommendations include facilitating greater engagement with hotel/motel management and staff about harm reduction and engaging more with local business communities and first responders (including the criminal-legal system). This research also conceptualizes subsistence ties, acquaintances that both provide longer-term support and further hide people who are precariously housed. Future research and policy recommendations are described.