© 2011 BY THE JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES 0022-0426/11/04 523–560 __________ Brad A. Myrstol is an Assistant Professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage Justice Center. Dr. Myrstol’s current research focuses on the intersection of homelessness and the criminal justice system, public evaluations of police, and procedural justice. Kevin M. Fitzpatrick, Professor in Sociology & Jones Chair in Community at the University of Arkansas. Dr. Fitzpatrick’s research interests include disadvantaged populations with particular focus on the mental health and well-being of the homeless. RISK FACTORS AND THE DURATION OF HOMELESSNESS AMONG DRUG-USING ARRESTEES: EVIDENCE FROM 30 AMERICAN COUNTIES BRAD A. MYRSTOL, KEVIN M. FITZPATRICK We examined risk factors influencing length of homelessness among a sample of drug-using adults booked into jails in 30 American counties during the years 2002–2003. Interviews were conducted with 30,634 arrestees. Multinomial logistic regression (MLR) explored the impact of arrestees’ drug use histories, prior experiences with alcohol and drug treatment, prior mental health experiences, and previous criminal justice experiences on membership in one of three housing stability categories. MLR results showed that, in comparison to the sporadic homeless, the persistent homeless were a demographically distinct group with significant social and human capital deficits and distinct health risk profiles, including drug use behavior, mental health status, and criminal offending. We argue that jails are well positioned to serve as a focal point for the delivery of public health and psychiatric services to homeless persons. INTRODUCTION Despite decades of research, efforts by policymakers, and the intervention strategies designed by service delivery agencies working to stem the tide of homelessness, approximately 643,000 people are without a home on any given night in the United States, and as much as 1% of the adult population experiences an episode of homelessness each year (Burt, Aron, Lee, & Valente, 2001; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2000). Understanding the individual and structural factors that account for these levels of housing instability has been the focal point of an extensive research literature over the last thirty years