Congregations Serving Homeless Populations: Examining Predictive Factors and Policy Implications

In this study, authors analyzed data from the 2012 National Congregations Study (NCS) to explore what factors are predictive of a congregation’s engagement in programs serving people experiencing homelessness. Using a cross-sectional sample of 1,328 congregations derived from the third wave of the NCS, authors applied multivariate logistic regression to identify congregational characteristics associated with programming for homeless adults. Approximately one-fourth of all congregations in our sample reported some type of homeless programming. The authors’ final model indicates that 10 variables predict greater likelihood of congregations having programs serving the homeless, which include factors such as larger annual spending and lower percentage low-income congregants; recent formation of a nonprofit entity; collaboration with another organization; certain religious traditions; and the presence of other sponsored programs such as (a) services targeting a specific gender, (b) services helping sexual assault and domestic violence victims, and (c) services for older adults. Given the ongoing U.S. homelessness crisis, this study may help housing authorities and local continuums of care identify congregations for potential partnership to help achieve the Housing First policy priorities and meet specific homeless subpopulation needs.