What is Homeless?

Homeless is a word often used to describe people who live without a permanent place to stay. Homelessness is a complex issue with many causes. It is caused by a combination of factors, including lack of affordable housing, income support, and access to health care and social services. It also can be triggered by events such as job loss, medical or mental health issues, and domestic violence.

There is a wide range of strategies and programs to help prevent and end homelessness. This includes ensuring that homeless persons have access to emergency shelter, housing assistance, and services, as well as developing and implementing comprehensive systems of care. This approach is based on the principles of Housing First, which focuses on providing immediate stable housing for those experiencing homelessness and then addressing the underlying causes that lead to this situation.

In addition to housing, the other essential component of ending homelessness is to ensure that people have access to adequate and nutritious food. This includes the use of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), which helps low-income families and individuals afford healthy food. It is estimated that one in three households that experience homelessness also have a serious food insecurity problem.

It is also important to remember that the most significant cause of homelessness is a lack of affordable housing. Many people who become homeless have been living in “cost burdened” households, which means that they spend more than half of their monthly income on housing. For these families, any increase in the cost of housing or a reduction in income can mean losing their homes.

Homelessness can affect all types of households, but some groups are more at risk than others. Families with children and veterans are at particularly high risk. Children who are homeless can have long-term negative consequences on their education, health and life outcomes. Families headed by a person with a mental illness are at particular risk of homelessness, and are more likely to have limited income and assets to draw on to pay for housing.

In addition, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ populations face systemic barriers that contribute to disproportionate rates of homelessness. This can include discrimination, insufficient resources and programs, and inadequate cultural competency. Increasingly, communities and individual programs are focusing on strategies to prevent homelessness and provide immediate shelter and housing support for those who are struggling. This requires a holistic approach that addresses the root causes, such as the lack of affordable housing and income support, while also ensuring that those who are homeless have access to rapid response services and sustainable pathways out of homelessness. This requires a commitment from governments and local communities to invest in housing, healthcare, and other essential services for the most vulnerable. Until this occurs, the number of people who are homeless will continue to rise. This is a human rights crisis that must be addressed.