Many people don’t think about homelessness often. Usually we only think about it when we’re reminded of it by seeing an unhoused person or having someone mention it. However, homelessness is a societal problem that is unfortunately all too common in this country and has been a growing one.
What Causes Homelessness?
The common myth is that homelessness is often caused by poor decisions or lack of work ethic on the fault of the person who is unhoused. It’s easier to think that homelessness is someone’s own fault than to consider the societal and structural problems that contribute to and perpetuate it. The reality is that many people in America are only one or two missed paychecks away from potentially facing homelessness themselves.
Often, people lose their housing due to some kind of financial crisis. Sometimes it’s a sudden job loss, a new financial strain such as a major car repair or medical problem, or the cost of housing spiking suddenly. All of these things can result in becoming unhoused, even if just temporarily. Some people lose their housing due to family crises or domestic violence. Others lose housing due to substance use disorder. The reasons for becoming homeless are complex and vast.
Lack of affordable housing, lack of jobs that pay a living wage, and lack of appropriate physical and mental health care all contribute to homelessness.
Types of Homelessness
Many people who are unhoused experience it temporarily. This means, it happens once and is rectified in a few weeks. Sometimes, it can be long term or chronic, with an individual rarely having a stable housing situation. Others can experience it episodically. One thing that many people in our society don’t consider, however, is the amount of families or individuals who are homeless and no one knows about it. Often, this involves living in their vehicles, temporarily living with others (“couch surfing”), or living in unsafe situations until they can access more long-term, safe housing.
What Can be Done?
It can feel daunting to look at these big societal problems that affect people in such a negative way. Sometimes, it can feel hopeless. However, there is always something we can do to help. One thing we can do is push for legislative change that not only protects homeless individuals, but also to change the situations that contribute to homelessness. For example, pushing for higher wages, better healthcare access, and more affordable housing in cities and towns.
Another thing we can do is volunteer at shelters, with food pantries and soup kitchens, or other organizations that help the homeless population in our local areas. If you’re able to, donating money to these organizations is also a way you can help. Many organizations also take donations of goods that many unhoused people need, for example clothing, toiletries, and other hygiene related items.
