What Is Homeless?
Homeless is the state of not having a safe, permanent place to live. People without a home can live on the street, in shelters or other forms of emergency housing, or stay with friends or family who can offer them temporary shelter. Some people are chronically homeless, meaning they have spent most or all of their lives without a place to call home. Others experience short-term homelessness due to a life event, such as eviction or loss of a job.
Homelessness affects all ages and races, though it is more common among low-income people and people with disabilities. It is also more common among people who have been involved with the criminal justice system or have experienced domestic violence. People who are homeless are at higher risk for health problems, including mental illness and substance use disorders. They are also more likely to die young.
A person who is experiencing homelessness is often stigmatized, which can make it difficult for them to access services and other resources. They may be denied employment, health care and other benefits because of their status. Homeless people also have trouble forming trusting relationships with service providers and other people.
The cause of homelessness is complex and varies by person. Economic forces, such as a lack of living wage jobs and affordable housing, play an important role. However, homelessness can also be caused by individual-level factors such as a traumatic event, a breakdown in a relationship or the depletion of savings that could lead to eviction. People who are homeless are often at a disadvantage in getting jobs, as they cannot provide references or work history.
In recent years, the number of people who are experiencing homelessness has increased. The national rate has declined since 2007, but some cities have seen increases of up to 50 percent. This increase is mainly because of the economic crisis and increasing poverty, as well as the high rates of evictions.
A variety of strategies are available to reduce homelessness, such as housing vouchers, supportive housing, and community-based approaches. Many states and localities have established partnerships to improve coordination of efforts. Collaborations have been shown to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of homelessness prevention efforts. They can help to avoid duplication of services, avoid bureaucratic processes that delay resource allocations and enable organizations to learn from one another. In addition, they can reduce the cost of services by avoiding unnecessary administrative costs and by sharing information and best practices. Despite these successes, more work remains to be done. The issue is complex and there are no quick fixes. In order to be effective, solutions must be based on a strong evidence base and be focused on improving equity and outcomes. For example, people with mental illness or a disability are overrepresented in the homeless population and must be included in every effort to end homelessness. In addition, all groups must be engaged in identifying and addressing underlying causes of homelessness.