Causes of Homelessness and How to Solve It
Homeless refers to a person who lacks a permanent and stable place to sleep or live. People who are homeless may sleep on the street or in shelters. They often experience severe challenges in finding jobs, accessing health care and education, and providing for their basic needs. Homelessness is a complex issue and requires a comprehensive approach to solve it. The causes of homelessness can vary from individual to individual. Those who are homeless may be individuals or families with children. They may live in urban, suburban or rural areas.
In the United States, there are approximately 100 million people who lack a home and live without secure housing. Homelessness is a serious and growing problem in every country of the world. It affects all segments of society, but is more prevalent among the poorest. Historically, homelessness has surged and receded throughout the nation’s history, with spikes during colonial times, the pre-industrial era, the post-Civil War period, the Great Depression and the recent recession (HUD, 2010).
Homelessness is most commonly defined as living in an environment that is not meant for human habitation or having no place to sleep at night. It is not uncommon for persons who are experiencing homelessness to have limited or no income or resources and often have untreated medical, psychiatric, and substance use disorders.
The most significant driver of homelessness is the lack of affordable and available housing. Across NYC, 1.1 million units of affordable housing have been lost between 1996 and 2017. Many individuals and families are “rent burdened” or severely rent burdened, meaning that they spend more than 50 percent of their income on rent. Any change in their financial situation, such as a reduction in hours at work or an unexpected medical or repair bill, can cause them to lose their housing and become homeless.
Other major drivers include unemployment and underemployment; low wages; escalating health care costs and a failure to adequately cover them with insurance; insufficient public benefits, such as food stamps and SSI; and the proliferation of predatory for-profit landlords who target low-income neighborhoods with high concentrations of homeless people (Roth et al., 1987).
Individuals who are experiencing homelessness often struggle to maintain or regain housing stability by using a variety of strategies. These strategies include staying in contact with family members, moving in with a friend or relative, and staying in shelters and transitional housing programs. These individuals are known as the “hidden homeless.” They may also stay in refuges, boarding houses, motels, and caravans. In some cases, these individuals move from one place to another in a process called “couch surfing.” This instability has a devastating impact on their lives and can contribute to a range of physical and mental health problems. It can also have profound social consequences. It can lead to a decline in civic engagement, increased levels of crime and drug abuse, and increased rates of school dropout. For these reasons, it is critical to prevent and eradicate homelessness.
