The Modern Era of Homelessness
A person is homeless if they lack a fixed, regular nighttime residence. This can mean they live on the streets, in emergency shelters, or in other places not meant for human habitation. There are several different ways people can become homeless, including: job loss, eviction, family dissolution, substance use disorders, and mental illness. Homeless people can be men, women, children, families, and elders.
Homelessness can have devastating impacts on people’s physical and mental health. It can also lead to incarceration and other forms of oppression, such as domestic violence. There are many causes of homelessness, including low-wage jobs, high housing costs, discrimination, and a lack of affordable and safe options for housing. People experiencing homelessness are often marginalized and unheard of, making it difficult to find solutions.
Historically, homelessness was largely experienced by men over 50 who were dependent on welfare and Social Security and lived in cheap motels, flophouses, or single room occupancy hotels (SROs) in poor neighborhoods and Skid Row areas of urban centers. In the early 1980s, however, major changes in housing and community development policies ushered in what is called the modern era of homelessness. Gentrification of inner cities, deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill, a rising unemployment rate, and severe budget cuts to HUD and social service agencies all changed the face of homelessness in America. This era brought with it a younger population of impoverished women and families, most of whom were experiencing homelessness due to co-occurring medical, behavioral, and mental health conditions.
Today, the majority of people experiencing homelessness are either chronically or episodically homeless. Individuals who have been continuously homeless for a year or more and have had four or more episodes of homelessness in the past three years are considered chronically homeless. These individuals typically have a disabling condition and are at least 18 years old.
Episodically homeless people have periods of homelessness separated by periods of housing. These individuals may have short-term periods of stability, such as a job or income assistance, but still lack a permanent dwelling place. These individuals are often unaccompanied by children.
Lastly, there is an increasing population of people who are referred to as “hidden homeless.” These are young people who are living on the edge of homelessness, and their circumstances can change quickly. These people may be couch surfing, staying with friends, or sleeping in a car.
To end homelessness, there is a need for more affordable and safe housing options for families, seniors, and individuals. There are also gaps in services that address the root causes of homelessness, such as access to healthy food and medical care, education, employment opportunities, and support systems. Funders can help by investing in organizations such as A Way Home America and SchoolHouse Connection, which is working to end youth homelessness in the United States. They can also advocate for policy changes, like a national definition of homelessness that includes families, and increased federal appropriations to address the issue.