Homelessness On the Rise

(what it is, what causes it, what it’s like to live with and getting treatment)

 

Can you imagine not having a place to live? Being homeless is more common than you may believe. The Department of Housing and Urban Development defines homelessness as “a person who has nowhere to go, no resources to obtain housing, and is being evicted within a week or discharged from an institution within a week, or one fleeing domestic violence.

According to one organization in Canada, homelessness is explained as

“the situation of an individual, family, or community without stable, safe,

permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect, means, and

ability of acquiring it.”

 

Being homeless is a serious matter. Although, there is a broad “continuum

of care” ranging from those living in emergency shelters to families placed in

transitional, safe housing, homelessness can also be simplistically defined as

not having a home. You don't have to be living on the street to be homeless,

even if you have a roof over your head you can still be without a home. This

may be caused by the lack of resources to fix your home, which would classify

it as unfit living conditions. Regardless of life circumstances, homelessness is

a real problem that Americans are faced with and the numbers of homeless

only continue to increase.

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What causes homelessness? How do people become homeless? Is there one specific reason a family becomes homeless? 

 

Numerous factors and life events can catapult one into homelessness. Some chronic issues, such as mental illness, addiction, or PTSD, can affect individuals to the point where they are unable or refuse to maintain themselves in permanent housing. The lack of affordable housing, unemployment, poverty, racial inequality, low wages, mental illness and the lack of needed services, and substance abuse and the lack of needed services, also are known to lead to homelessness. These causes are common life stressors. There are additional cases in which one experiences situational homelessness. Periodically, people and/or families can experience situational homelessness due to a variety of reasons such as a loss of job, divorce, domestic violence, or the widespread wildfires. These unfortunate life situations and conditions can create temporary homelessness. No one should feel shame when dealing with unfair circumstances. It is important to remember that there are specific resources that are often available to assist people in these types of situations.

 

Homelessness in California is at a crisis level, according to HUD in 2019. Well over a half a million people in the United States were homeless during 2019, rising nearly 3% from the prior year. California had nearly one-third of that! Can you believe that over 150,000 people in the Golden State were homeless? Sadly, many who are homeless are those that are the most shattered and broken--our veterans, women who have been trafficked or abused, and families struck by addiction or mental health issues. When young people deal with drug addiction, alcoholism, or mental illness, it can send their parents into a state unable to provide for them. 

 

What does homelessness look like and how do real people manage to live while being homeless?

 

People who are homeless may live on the streets, crisis centers, or even homeless shelters. Organizations offer particular housing arrangements through special programs to assist those who are struggling with homelessness. Most centers provide individuals with services to basic necessities like food, shelter (beds), clothing and sometimes hygiene products. Centers, organizations, or shelters may be organized and run by community organizations with the help of volunteers. Government departments or agencies also provide programs in aiding the homeless. In general, most programs are supported by the government, charities, churches and individual donors. Homeless people are real people and live a simple life to survive day-by-day. 

 

Is there hope of ending homelessness? Maybe you have questions regarding action to achieve goals in ending or reducing homelessness. Are there trending real solutions available to the public to make changes that can make a real difference in the lives of those that are homeless? 

 

The solutions to homelessness are controversial. Some experts on housing and public policy cite that California’s problem was heightened by a housing crisis and unaffordable housing, liberalizing drug laws, and by opposing mandatory treatment for mental illness. Others believe that a “housing first” initiative would eradicate a large portion of homelessness. Some simply say more shelters need to be built. Ultimately, it is a societal battle that has caused division among legislators. 

 

The result of homelessness has been rats, cholera, leprosy, and increased violence on the streets of Los Angeles and other cities around the United States. Thousands of homeless can not live on the streets defecating and discarding waste without spreading disease and other illnesses. Homelessness is plaguing society and causing a cry for reform. Those whose economic livelihoods depend on clean, safe streets are affected. Taxpayers are affected when reform and laws are passed to try to solve this widespread problem. Those who are chronically homeless are affected, robbed of dignity, and will never have a safe place to lay their head. 

 

A solution will not eradicate homelessness. We can be hopeful for any solution that works to decrease homelessness. To do something can bring about change. Doing nothing will only exacerbate the problem, increasing it to a crisis level in many cities around the country. Together, we can strive to make a difference in the lives of people battling homelessness.