UROP Project

Prayers in the Panhandle: The Homelessness Crisis in Tallahassee (1970-2000)

homelessness, social welfare, religious aid organizations, role of government, housing, mental health, alcoholism, perceptions of homelessness,

Research Mentor: Liam Philbin ,
Department, College, Affiliation: History, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: lmp22m@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email: lmp22m@fsu.edu

Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5 hours, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable

Project Description

Focused on causes, responses, and political/social dynamics to homelessness in Tallahassee, Florida from 1970-2000. Focus of the project, for sake of feasibility, is on social aid responses to homelessness (private, religious, governmental, non-profit, etc.). The project is a work of history and follows the methods of the field in its arrangement. Other major themes include the role of public/private resources in social welfare, perceptions of homelessness, and the role of national politics in regional/local history regarding the topic.

Research Tasks: I need assistance in reviewing a 12 year period in Leon County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes as well as some other assorted documents such as state and national reports on the unhoused. Most of the work will be done in either Strozier Library (Special Collections, or Basement Archives) or in the Florida State Archives.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required: Reading/Analytical Skills, Note-Taking under certain parameters and topics.