What is Homeless?
Homeless refers to a person who lacks a safe, permanent and adequate place to live. People experience homelessness for many reasons, but the root cause is often a combination of factors including poverty, mental illness and substance abuse, unemployment, domestic violence, incarceration or poor parenting. It is a complex issue with serious consequences for people’s health, including an increased risk of physical and emotional problems and death.
Homelessness is a major challenge for governments and communities around the world. It is more common in countries with lower incomes, but is also found in some cities in wealthy nations. In developed countries, homelessness is typically a result of structural inequalities in housing, poverty and other systems failures that leave too many people without secure, affordable places to live.
The number of homeless people in the United States is estimated at 653,104 as of January 2023, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). There are different ways to describe homelessness, including “episodic” or “chronic”. Someone is considered episodic if they have stayed in a shelter or other form of temporary housing once during the past year. Individuals experiencing chronic homelessness have been unhoused for more than a year or more.
People in marginalized groups disproportionately experience homelessness, including those with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ community. They may be evicted from their homes by family members or they may simply find it impossible to afford rent. Having nowhere to stay leaves them vulnerable in the event of extreme weather, such as heat waves and cold snaps. Homeless people tend to live in higher-risk urban areas, with limited access to shelter and cooling resources and often exposed to the effects of the “heat island effect” due to paved surfaces and a greater amount of solar radiation.
Those experiencing homelessness are often vulnerable to exploitation, abuse and a lack of basic services like healthcare. They may be unable to access public benefits, such as food stamps or cash assistance programs. They may have a hard time finding work and are less likely to have the support of family and friends, making them more susceptible to being taken advantage of by others.
Homelessness is a complex problem that requires solutions at all levels of society. The first step is to understand what causes it and how it can be addressed. Fortunately, the number of people experiencing homelessness is decreasing in most countries, thanks to programs designed to address the underlying causes and improve living conditions. However, the need to create more affordable and inclusive cities remains a key part of the solution. A recent exhibition in London showcased a car transformed by artist David Tovey into a house, and hopes to change the UK’s perception of homelessness and inspire hope that it can be ended. The exhibition was created in partnership with the government, charities and other partners. It aims to increase awareness of the issue and encourage more people to get involved.