Mattersdorff-Steinhardt Lecture 2026: “Homelessness is a Housing Problem”

About the Lecture: Dr. Colburn will discuss findings from his book, Homelessness is a Housing Problem: How Structural Factors Explain U.S. Patterns. He will discuss why certain cities have high rates of homelessness, while others do not. Critical to this analysis is an understanding of the causal drivers of homelessness at different units of analysis: the individual and the community. The lecture will conclude with lessons learned and a roadmap for a more effective approach to reducing, or ending, homelessness.

Gregg Colburn, is an associate professor of real estate at the University of Washington’s College of Built Environments. He publishes research on topics related to housing and homelessness and is co-author of the book Homelessness is a Housing Problem: How Structural Factors Explain U.S. Patterns. Gregg holds an MSW and PhD from the University of Minnesota and an MBA from Northwestern University. Prior to academia, he worked as an investment banker and private equity professional. Gregg is co-chair of the University of Washington’s Homelessness Research Initiative and is a member of the National Alliance to End Homelessness Research Council.

https://homelessnesshousingproblem.com/