Why Are People Homeless?

There's no single answer for this question, as each person's situation is different.  However, a factsheet released in July 2009 by the National Coalition for the Homeless has identified a number of contributing factors to the national homeless problem.

The study revealed two primary trends over the last two decades that have increased the homeless epidemic: an increase in poverty and a decrease of affordable housing.

Increase in Poverty

More Americans than ever live at or below poverty, according to the federal poverty threshold.  The U.S. Census Bureau in 2008 estimated that 13.2 percent of Americans, 39.8 million people, live in poverty.

Eroding Work Opportunities — Declining wages, a decrease in manufacturing, and recession-related job losses has put many working families closer to poverty.

Decline in Public Assistance — Changes in federal assistance programs, such as Aid to Families with Dependent Children (repealed in 1996), have resulted in alternatives that reach fewer families in extreme poverty and often do not keep up with inflation.

Housing

Increasingly, working and families and individuals are unable to afford housing.  The fair market rent of a two-bedroom apartment has increased by 41% in the last decade, while the wages of low and extremely low income households has increased incrementally.  (Example: According statistics from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, nearly 150,000 North Carolinian residents need to pay 80 percent of their income to afford fair market rental housing.)

The nationwide foreclosure crisis is a contributor as well–from April 2008 to April 2009, the number of homeowners foreclosed upon went up by 32%.

Other Factors

Lack of Affordable Health Care — One in three Americans is uninsured.  Of those uninsured, 80% are part of working families.  A debilitating illness, injury or hospitalization and can lead to enormous financial toll which could ultimately result in bankruptcy or eviction.

Domestic Violence — Approximately 63% of homeless women have been the victims of domestic violence.

Mental Illness — An estimated 16% of homeless adults are mentally ill in some form.

Addiction — Though many drug and alcohol addicts never become homeless, such addictions increase the risk dramatically; especially among the poor.

Photo Credit: Moriza