What Is Homeless?

Homeless is a term that describes people living in a place not meant for human habitation, such as on the streets or in a shelter. It can also refer to those who live in transitional housing, emergency shelter or a motel room, or who are exiting an institution such as a jail or hospital. In some cases, homeless people may be living in their car or in a tent. The term is used most frequently to describe people who do not have permanent housing or do not have enough income to pay for their current rent and other expenses.

There are many different reasons why someone might end up homeless, including periods of unemployment or illness, a loss of public assistance benefits, and domestic violence. In addition, homelessness can result from a variety of structural factors, such as a shortage of affordable housing and lack of rental assistance. In a typical month, a homeless person spends more than half of his or her income on rent. The average duration of homelessness is about a year.

While some individuals become homeless through no fault of their own, the vast majority are forced into homelessness by poverty and housing insecurity. Some 34 million Americans live below the poverty line and struggle to afford basic necessities, and a single setback can force any of these individuals into homelessness.

A major cause of homelessness is the shortage of affordable housing in large cities. In many areas, the cost of renting a modest apartment or house far exceeds low-income renters’ ability to pay. The cost of owning a home is even higher, with the national median home price now nearly $440,000. A few months of missed rent or a sudden increase in utility or health care costs can tip households into foreclosure or eviction, and soon they are homeless.

In recent years, the number of homeless people has increased in most large cities. While this spike was partly caused by the pandemic, a greater factor appears to be rising housing prices. In addition, a large body of academic research shows that homelessness rates rise when rents go up by amounts that low-income families can no longer afford.

Despite the high prevalence of homelessness in America, the problem has received relatively little attention. This is in part because the data on homelessness varies widely from region to region. In order to address the issue, it is essential that the right data are collected and used. This requires consistent definitions of homelessness and methodologies for collecting the data. It is also important that the data are analyzed and disseminated in a timely manner.

A largely invisible population is at risk for homelessness, and we need to change the way we talk about them. Instead of using the word homeless, we should use the phrase “people experiencing homelessness,” as this more accurately captures the reality that it is more than just a lack of shelter. In addition, we should focus on prevention by increasing funding for affordable housing programs and training health professionals to identify and treat people who are at risk of losing their homes.