Homeless Awareness Month – Why You Should Be Concerned About Homelessness
Homeless is a broad term that encompasses many different groups of people who lack a permanent, safe and affordable place to live. Each person who experiences homelessness has a unique story. Homelessness can be caused by a variety of factors, including a loss of income, poor mental or physical health, and a lack of affordable housing. The first step in preventing homelessness is understanding the root causes and the barriers that prevent change. It is important to break down stereotypes and misinformation to bring about change.
Despite a strong economy, a tight labor market and low unemployment, homelessness is on the rise. Across the country, thousands of people are sleeping outside or in shelters. The number of people experiencing homelessness has risen by 12 percent since last year. These statistics highlight the complexity of homelessness, which includes both people who are living in shelters and those who do not stay there.
People are often pushed into homelessness by rising rents, unaffordable mortgage rates and stagnant wages. A recent study found that more than one million people are a paycheck away from losing their homes, and the problem is even worse among certain communities. Those who are homeless face stigma and discrimination, and they may not have access to supportive services or housing programs because they do not fit the strict criteria.
Although some people claim to support ending homelessness, it is difficult for them to prioritize spending tax dollars on programs designed to solve this complex problem. Most individuals have other priorities for how their taxes are spent, and they may believe that government spending should be reduced.
In addition to limited funding, there are a number of other barriers to reducing homelessness. One of the biggest obstacles is the myth that homelessness is a choice and that those experiencing it are somehow to blame for their situation. This view of homelessness is pervasive and reflects the cultural stigma of poverty that persists in society.
For decades, the federal government has used a narrow definition of homelessness to reduce its reported numbers. Advocates have decried the way that only those who sleep in shelters or on the street are counted as part of the official homeless population.
A new rule allows HUD to consider people as homeless if they are displaced from their primary nighttime residence (including places like motels and doubled up with others) within 14 days. This definition is an improvement, but it still excludes a large group of people.
States must use the maximum available resources to ensure that everyone has access to adequate, safe and affordable housing. This means that they must eliminate homelessness through the implementation of a comprehensive plan of action, taking into account national and international human rights obligations. Yet, only a few States have laws that allow people to claim the right to affordable housing. Instead, they rely on regulations governing the right to shelter and other housing assistance. This approach is a significant barrier to achieving the goal of eliminating homelessness.