The Homeless – A Serious Issue That Affects All Groups of People

Homeless is a word that refers to people who lack a permanent and adequate place to live. Homeless people may reside in shelters, congregate housing, motels and hotels, overcrowded living quarters with family or friends, tents, and other places not fit for human habitation. They also may sleep on the street or in abandoned buildings. Homelessness is a serious issue that affects all groups of people, but is more pronounced in certain demographics such as veterans and families with children, women, minorities, and people living rurally.

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) annual Point-in-Time count, 653,104 Americans were homeless on a single night in January 2023. This is a 12% increase from the previous year, marking the first time in more than a decade that the number of homeless Americans has gone up.

People who are homeless have few resources to help them cope with their situation. They may have no access to food or money, and often face physical, mental and emotional challenges. They are at risk of being exposed to many dangerous conditions, such as domestic abuse, HIV infection, substance use, and neglect and abuse. These issues can lead to health problems and even death.

Many people become homeless as a result of problems in their personal lives. But homelessness is caused mainly by a lack of affordable and available housing. People who are severely rent burdened-meaning they spend over half of their income on rent-are especially at risk. Even a small change in their financial circumstances can put them at risk of losing their housing-reduced hours at work, a medical emergency, or an unexpected bill can all push them into poverty and homelessness.

A large body of academic research has shown that homelessness is largely driven by housing costs. Whether measured by rent-to-income ratios, price-to-income ratios or home prices, increases in housing costs result in an increase in homelessness, while decreases in housing costs reduce homelessness. Interventions that directly address housing costs, such as direct rental assistance or housing subsidies, have been successful in reducing homelessness.

In addition to housing, the most common causes of homelessness include lack of employment and health issues. People who are chronically homeless or have experienced homelessness in the past are more likely to experience health problems, such as depression and anxiety. They are also more likely to have a criminal record, which can make it difficult to obtain or keep jobs and housing.

Despite their widespread impact, there are few studies on the demographic and social characteristics of homeless people in nonurban areas. Most studies of homeless individuals and families focus on urban areas, and there is a paucity of research on specific subpopulations, such as women, the elderly, youth, and individuals with disabling conditions. Further, research on the experiences of homeless people with mental health and substance use disorders is almost entirely absent. Nonetheless, there are some important lessons that can be learned from the research that does exist.