Having a safe, secure, affordable, and accessible home is a basic human right. Disabled people who experience homelessness face many forms of unfairness. These issues are often caused by widespread societal problems that limit their access to proper housing, a livable income, and necessary healthcare and social support.

Currently, it is not known how much research exists that examines homelessness specifically from a disability rights point of view. This perspective views disability as an issue of social and political barriers, not just a personal health condition.

To address this gap, researchers are conducting a broad review of existing studies. They will use a structured, five-stage method to search seven academic research databases. Two researchers will work independently to screen the titles and summaries of articles, and then will read the full text of relevant studies to decide which ones to include in their review.

The results are intended to help direct future research, government policy, and practical services. The goal is to find better ways to address the unfair circumstances that disabled people without housing experience.

By viewing homelessness as a disability rights issue, the findings will bring attention to the societal challenges that create these inequities. This information can then be used as evidence to call on policymakers to change policies to better help unhoused disabled people, and to prevent and end homelessness for this group.