Breaking the Cycle of Homeless

Homeless is a state of being without a safe, permanent place to live. It can be the result of many things, such as loss of housing, a disintegration of family structure, and untreated psychiatric disorders. People experiencing homelessness often have a variety of needs, including mental health support and affordable housing. Homeless individuals are at increased risk of physical and emotional harm, especially from exposure to the elements. They also have a more difficult time accessing services and are more likely to fall prey to ills, such as tuberculosis, flu, and substance use disorders.

Despite these challenges, there are people who have managed to break the cycle of homelessness. Some have benefited from the Housing First approach, in which individuals who are homeless are given immediate access to housing and a range of supportive services. Others have turned to their communities for help, taking on leadership roles in housing programs. These leaders have found that the best way to tackle homelessness is to build partnerships and develop strategies to address its root causes.

Scholars, healthcare workers, and homeless advocates agree that poverty and a lack of affordable housing are the two major contributing factors to homelessness. But they also note that hard-to-treat psychiatric issues and substance abuse frequently underlie chronic homelessness. These factors are not easily addressed in the limited time and resources available to homelessness response systems. The result is that the vast majority of homeless people remain unable to find housing.

In addition to addressing structural barriers, homelessness response systems must recognize that homelessness is a traumatic experience. Those who have been homeless report a variety of traumas, from sexual assault to the death of a loved one. Many also have difficulty establishing or maintaining relationships and feel that they are not valued. This can lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and depression.

Another challenge is prioritizing upstream prevention over crisis response. The recent rise in homelessness has largely been driven by high housing costs. Research has shown that when localities make significant investments in housing, homelessness rates decline. But these investments must be coupled with policies that ensure that people have deeply affordable, stable, and healthy homes.

A growing recognition of the importance of homelessness prevention is encouraging. Koh and her colleagues have developed an artificial intelligence model that can predict who is at risk of becoming homeless. They found that the three strongest predictors are a history of depression, trauma from the death of a loved one, and mental health treatment needs.

While it is too early to claim victory over homelessness, it is a welcome step that more scholars are focusing on this issue and collaborating with community partners to create innovative solutions. As the winter season approaches, it is essential to remember that homelessness is a complex problem and requires a coordinated response across multiple sectors. As such, it is critical that we continue to educate tomorrow’s leaders about homelessness and support the research and collaboration necessary for a solution.