An Overview of Homelessness and Housing Instability in the USA
Each year in the United States hundreds of thousands of people (both adults and children) experience homelessness. For example, in January 2023 about 653,104 people were homeless. (Source: National Alliance to End Homelessness)
Some of these are veterans. Others are victims of domestic violence. Others may be dealing with mental health issues of sufferings from substance abuse. Some had jobs but were laid off, while are are working, but not making enough to afford rent. Some are LGBTQ youth whose parents kicked them out of the home for being queer.
There are many causes of homelessness. Homeless shelters and social services are often underfunded and understaffed. Unlike many of our Canadian and European neighbors, the US lacks a strong social safety net.
To make matters worse, the US has an affordable housing crisis, which has put both renting and homeownership out of reach for many.
On top of all this, there is much misunderstanding among the general public on issues surrounding homelessness, housing instability, domestic violence, substance abuse, and poverty.
Some of these are veterans. Others are victims of domestic violence. Others may be dealing with mental health issues of sufferings from substance abuse. Some had jobs but were laid off, while are are working, but not making enough to afford rent. Some are LGBTQ youth whose parents kicked them out of the home for being queer.
There are many causes of homelessness. Homeless shelters and social services are often underfunded and understaffed. Unlike many of our Canadian and European neighbors, the US lacks a strong social safety net.
To make matters worse, the US has an affordable housing crisis, which has put both renting and homeownership out of reach for many.
On top of all this, there is much misunderstanding among the general public on issues surrounding homelessness, housing instability, domestic violence, substance abuse, and poverty.
Myths vs. Truths
Bad Choices Lead Someone to Become Homeless
Few people choose homelessness. In many cases people become homeless due to a sudden illness, loss of a job, domestic violence, the death of a spouse, or being kicked out of home by their parents for being LGBTQIA+. Even for people who became homeless due to bad choices, they deserve to be assisted out of homelessness. All people have dignity, regardless of the choices they have made in the past.
Homeless People Are Dangerous
While dangerous people do exist in the homeless community (and in every other community), the reality is that homeless people are far more likely to be victims of violence than the ones committing violence. Most homeless people are not dangerous and are simply trying to deal with a bad situation. (Sources: Pathways to Housing PA and Light of Life Rescue Mission)
The Homeless Are All Drug and Alcohol Abusers
Homeless People Are Lazy and Don't Want to Work.
Would it surprise you to learn that as many as 40 to 60% of homeless people have jobs? (Source: US Interagency Council on Homelessness). Simply having a job does not prevent homelessness. But for those who are not employed, they face numerous challenges: lacking a permanent address, limited access to transportation, limited access hygiene resources, and mental health struggles make it hard to secure employment. If they are lucky to secure work, often it is low paying jobs which cannot provide enough for rent.
Homeless People Can Just Go to Shelters!
There are many homeless shelters doing amazing work. But often they are at full capacity, meaning that they do not always have space or resources for every person in need. Shelters are often also understaffed and underfunded.
Many shelters are also by Christian religious nonprofits. Many LGBTQ youth or people of other faiths may face barriers to accessing these services due to the religious nature of some homeless shelters.
Further, many shelters may not be able to take in people dealing with substance abuse, requiring them to get sober first. It is very difficult to deal with substance abuse while housed, and even more so when one is living on the streets.
Again, many homeless shelters and their staff are doing amazing work. But we must also acknowledge the limitations that exist.
Few people choose homelessness. In many cases people become homeless due to a sudden illness, loss of a job, domestic violence, the death of a spouse, or being kicked out of home by their parents for being LGBTQIA+. Even for people who became homeless due to bad choices, they deserve to be assisted out of homelessness. All people have dignity, regardless of the choices they have made in the past.
Homeless People Are Dangerous
While dangerous people do exist in the homeless community (and in every other community), the reality is that homeless people are far more likely to be victims of violence than the ones committing violence. Most homeless people are not dangerous and are simply trying to deal with a bad situation. (Sources: Pathways to Housing PA and Light of Life Rescue Mission)
The Homeless Are All Drug and Alcohol Abusers
Homeless People Are Lazy and Don't Want to Work.
Would it surprise you to learn that as many as 40 to 60% of homeless people have jobs? (Source: US Interagency Council on Homelessness). Simply having a job does not prevent homelessness. But for those who are not employed, they face numerous challenges: lacking a permanent address, limited access to transportation, limited access hygiene resources, and mental health struggles make it hard to secure employment. If they are lucky to secure work, often it is low paying jobs which cannot provide enough for rent.
Homeless People Can Just Go to Shelters!
There are many homeless shelters doing amazing work. But often they are at full capacity, meaning that they do not always have space or resources for every person in need. Shelters are often also understaffed and underfunded.
Many shelters are also by Christian religious nonprofits. Many LGBTQ youth or people of other faiths may face barriers to accessing these services due to the religious nature of some homeless shelters.
Further, many shelters may not be able to take in people dealing with substance abuse, requiring them to get sober first. It is very difficult to deal with substance abuse while housed, and even more so when one is living on the streets.
Again, many homeless shelters and their staff are doing amazing work. But we must also acknowledge the limitations that exist.