Factors CausingBecoming Homeless: A Case Study of the Homeless in Khon Kaen Municipal

Abstract

This research aimed to study factors causing becoming homeless. The data was collected by talking, in-depth interview, observing 20 homeless, key informants, and with 3 homeless families in order to get the data in detail and from different point of view. Data collection period was between November 2016 and July 2017. Transformation processes to homeless is complicated and there are several related factors. Family and personal factors are poverty, low education, precarious employment, not be patient, and low self control. These factors cause poverty, barriers to build financial stability, limitation of choices and social capital, precarious employment, and low income. Family cannot function as a good buffer to support when people have problems in life or work. Some homeless people have conflict with families and have to be homeless. Structural factors act as context that are suitable to produce homeless people. Low quality education especially in basic education cannot make people have better quality of life. These factors incubate and make risky group to fall into precarious employment period that lasts long for several years. If they cannot get out of this period, they fially become homeless people.