ABSTRACT
Homelessness is a wicked problem, due at least in part to the disenfranchised nature of the population. This population lacks a voice in the democratic process, and subsequently has little leverage to change the perceptions and conditions they face. Many of our most wicked problems require advocacy that can link the voices and needs of the community to community development efforts and the public sector at large, which may be an ideal vehicle for fostering democracy while simultaneously addressing homelessness. Advocacy is viewed as an integral part of the function of human service nonprofit organizations. Yet the advocacy road for these organizations is fraught with complexities, often leading to adulterated or nonexistent advocacy activities. This chapter examines homeless service organizations in depth, through comparative case studies of Philadelphia and Houston, to better ascertain the determinants of homeless service organizations engaging in advocacy activities. The author also examines the types of advocacy activities organizations employ, and how those decisions are made. The analysis argues for a more refined definition of “advocacy” in the field of human service nonprofits, allowing for a deeper understanding of the role of these organizations in community development policy and practice.
