Why are people homeless?

Homelessness is a complex issue and can have several causes. Two major causes of
homelessness are the shortage of an affordable rental housing combined with an increase in
poverty (National Coalition of Homelessness, 2007). Lack of job opportunities may result in
unemployment and result in families at risk of losing their homes. Some additional factors that
may be contributing to homelessness is when individuals suffer from mental illness or domestic
violence. Individuals who suffer from mental illness may find it difficult to keep employment.
Homelessness can have many serious consequences to adults, but to children and families as
well.
A poor economy and lack of job opportunities increase the issue of homelessness because
not having a job means you have no money to live off of, which also means you arent capable of
purchasing a home for yourself, and this issue is only getting worse. The National Coalition for
the Homeless states that the future of job growth does not appear promising for many workers: a
1998 study estimated that 46% of the jobs with the most growth between 1994 and 2005 pay less
than $16,000 a year; these jobs will not lift families out of poverty (National Priorities Project,
1998).2 Moreover, 74% of these jobs pay below a livable wage ($32,185 for a family of four)
(National Coalition for the Homelessness, 2009).
The homelessness issue has increased due to the decline in public assistance. Most people
cannot afford housing because it is very expensive. Since 2000 rent continues to rise, and for
people with low income jobs the income may not rise to match the increase in housing. The
average amount of money an individual will need make to afford just a one-bedroom apartment
is $17.84 per hour. (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2009). This is the reason why most
adults are homeless because they can barely afford housing because of their low wages. In 1996
the federal welfare law was reformed and replaced with a block grant program that was call

Why are people homeless?

Temporary Assistance To Needy Families (TANF). Unfortunately the new program only helped
one third of the children that the original program helped (National Coalition for the Homeless,
2009). What this mean is that public assistance dropped really low and is reaching fewer
families.
In addition to a decline in public assistance, those from low income households have also
been hit with fewer opportunities for low income housing. According to the National Low Income
Housing Coalition, in 2011 for the 10.1 million individuals with extremely low income, there were only 3
million available rental units (2013). These phenomena, in turn, have not only forced many people

to become homeless, they have put a large and growing number of people at risk of becoming
homeless (The Coalition for the Homeless, 2009). Federal programs such as Section 8 housing,
in which the government authorizes payment of rental housing to landlords, can have a long wait
lists. According to The United States Conference of Mayors, the average wait time for Section 8
housing is 35 months. (2004). Section 8 housing is worth the wait, but many do not have the time
nor patience. Some people are less fortunate and do not end up falling under the long waiting
lists. If you have nothing to give, especially money wise, people do not care enough to take you
in and help you.
Domestic violence can contribute to the problem of homelessness. It not only affects
woman, but their children as well. Women who suffer from domestic abuse, who live in poverty,
are often forced to choose between the abusive relationships or being homeless (National
Coalition of Homelessness, 2009). In a study done by the United States Conference of Mayors,
it reported that of the 50% of the cities surveyed domestic violence was a primary cause of
homelessness (2005). A major effect on women and children is the violence they experience in
the home setting, and this may then lead to homelessness. A research report done by Jasinski,

Why are people homeless?

Wesley, Mustaine & Wright, found that approximately one homeless women in four is homeless
due to their experiences with violence (2005). However, the study goes on to explain the
womens homelessness is not only due to the domestic violence, but the aftermath which may
make it difficult for hold to be employed. The study explained that poor women who did not
experience major partner violence in the previous year were three times more likely than women who did
to work at least 30 hours per week in the subsequent six-month period (Jasinski, Wesely, Mustaine,
&Wright, 2005). This study again points to the fact that homelessness is complex and can be the result of
many contributing factors.

Domestic violence is related and connected mental illness. Mental illness is another
factor that leads to homelessness. In a 2014 survey performed by the U.S. Conference of
Mayors, 25 cities reported that on average 28% of their homeless population was severely
mentally ill. Mental illness can impact a persons everyday life. Individuals suffering from
mental illness may not be able to access supportive housing or treatment for their illnesses
(National Coalition for the Homeless, 2009). Individuals suffering from mental illness may have
an even more difficult time finding and keeping employment, thus making it even more
impossible to live on their own and provide for themselves.
Substance abuse is another complex issue that can have many causes, including mental
illness, poverty, and can result in homelessness. In studies done by the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration found that on a January evening, 34.7 % of sheltered
homeless adults had a chronic substance abuse issue (2011). This statistic shows that substance
abuse can be a major factor in homelessness, in that the statistic does not include the homeless
who are out in the streets. Individuals who are poor and addicted are basically destroying their
chances of getting housing. This combination of mental illness, substance abuse, and poor

Why are people homeless?

physical health makes it very difficult for people to obtain employment and residential stability
(National Coalition for the Homeless, July 2009). As stated previously, if you are not providing
anything, not many will provide help to you. If one sees another destroying their life
continuously without a care, they will not care enough to help them either. If they cannot help
themselves, they should not expect to be given the help they so much seek. Substance abuse is a
serious and dangerous addiction and for most people it takes years to get over the addiction. Not
many are capable of doing so but those who do, see much more positive outcomes. According to
USA Today, Ellison says that she has a team of seven to eight people assigned to her. The group
includes a psychiatrist, a family planning specialist, a drug counselor, and a team leader from the
organization who talks to her by phone at least twice a week. Ellison says she used to meet with
them every day but has progressed and become more independent (USA Today, 2011). Things
like therapy are a huge help to those who are willing to help themselves.
There are serval factors of people becoming homeless and those reasons is being Unemployed,
Not having public Assistance because of housing being so expensive, Cases of Domestic
Violence, Mental illnesses being one of the most important reasons, and Substance abuse, there
is so much proof and research proving that theses reason are true. Being Unemployed is very
hard because it is hard to afford or purchase your own house

Why are people homeless?

References
Homeless Addicts Get Help - USATODAY.com. (2011). Retrieved March 22, 2016, from
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-03-31-wethouses31_ST_N.htm
Jasinski J., Wesely J., Mustaine E., Wright J. (2005). The Experience of Violence in the Lives of
Homeless Women: A Research Report. Retrieved from
https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/211976.pdf
Naili H., (2014). Battered, Homeless, Afraid: A Costly Intersection. Retrieved from
http://womensenews.org/story/domestic-violence/140405/battered-homeless-afraidcostly-intersection
National Criminal Justice Reference Service Homeless Women: A Research Report. Retrieved
from https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/211976.pdf
National Coalition for the Homelessness (2009). Mental Illness and Homelessness. Retrieved
from http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/Mental_Illness.pdf
National Coalition for the Homelessness (2009). Why Are People Homeless? Retrieved From
http://nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/why.html
National Low Income Housing Coalition (2013) Americas Affordable Housing Shortage, and
how to end it. Housing Spotlight, vol. 3, Retrieved from:
http://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/HS_3-1.pdf

Why are people homeless?

National Low Income Housing Coalition (2009) Out of Reach 2009 Persistent Problems, New
Challenges for Renters Retrieved from http://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/oor/2009OOR.pdf
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (2011) Current Statistics on
Prevalence and Characteristics of People Experiencing Homelessness in the United
States. Retrieved from http://homeless.samhsa.gov/ResourceFiles/hrc_factsheet.pdf
The United States Conference of Mayors (2014, December) Hunger and Homelessness Survey
Retrieved from http://www.usmayors.org/pressreleases/uploads/2014/1211-report-hh.pdf