Mapping Marginalization: A Multilevel Exploration of Chronic Homelessness

ABSTRACT This study examines the adversities faced by chronically homeless individuals through a two‐year, multilevel longitudinal ethnography informed by Structural Violence Theory and Intersectionality. It explores how macro‐level forces (e.g., institutional fragmentation, stigma) intersect with micro‐level challenges (e.g., mental illness, substance use), shaping lived experiences of exclusion. Applying an intersectional lens, the research analyzes how social locations, such as gender, age and disability, interact with systemic oppression, emphasizing the compounding effects of structural, historical and relational inequalities. Rather than attributing homelessness to individual failure, the study shows it as a condition sustained by systemic neglect. Findings highlight critical gaps in public policy and institutional response, advocating for structurally informed solutions such as Housing First models, integrated mental health care, and reintegration strategies that address both systemic and individual dimensions. Please refer to the Supporting Information section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement .