Serving the Homeless: Public Administration As Science, Process and Art

Serving the Homeless: Public Administration As Science, Process and Art

Title:

SERVING THE HOMELESS: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AS SCIENCE, PROCESS AND ART.

Authors:

Barth, Thomas J.1
Quinn, Robin A.2

Source:

International Journal of Public Administration; 2000, Vol. 23 Issue 12, p2085-2106, 22p

Document Type:

Article

Subject Terms:

*NONPROFIT organizations
HOMELESSNESS
HOUSING policy
POPULATION
SCIENCE -- Social aspects

Geographic Terms:

TENNESSEE
UNITED States

NAICS/Industry Codes925110 Administration of Housing Programs

Abstract:

This paper highlights a three-year odyssey working with the City of Memphis and nonprofit agencies to assess the extent of homelessness and identify gaps in care. It is suggested that working with the homeless is a classic example of what is meant by the concept of public administration as a science, process, and art. Even the most sophisticated "scientific" understanding of homelessness is necessary but not sufficient; the ability to bring together a diverse and fragmented provider population also requires expert process skills and an understanding of the art of persuasion and high-trust leadership. This case study reflects on a very successful three year experience working with the City of Memphis and a variety of nonprofit organizations in an effort to obtain a more accurate picture of the extent and needs of the homeless population in Memphis, Tennessee This effort resulted in the awarding of almost $13 million in federal grants over a two year period, and a national "Blue Ribbon" award from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development[sup(1)] This award states that by virtue of the cooperation and coordination achieved among the principal service providers in the City of Memphis, the Memphis grant applications were rated among the highest in the nation. In response to the question, "What have we learned from this successful experience that is worth sharing with public administration students and practitioners?", the authors came to several conclusions. First, to focus solely on the methodological aspects of counting the homeless population would ignore the significant management issues involved in bringing together a fragmented provider community. Furthermore, even focusing on the methodological and management issues would still ignore the significance of the different styles and subtle strategies of different stakeholders in the effort. Ultimately, we decided that the value of this case is in its richness, that is, this experience is an excellent... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Author Affiliations:

1Department of Political Science, University of North Carolina, Wilmington 601 South College Road Wilmington, North Carolina 28403.
2Department of Political Science, University of Memphis Memphis, Tennessee 38152.

ISSN:

0190-0692

Accession Number:

11898149

Persistent link to this record:

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Database:

Business Source Premier