PBS recently published an article with facts about homelessness in the United States. I include an excerpt about the causes of homelessness.
Homelessness may be caused by a variety of factors, but the coincidence of increased levels of poverty and decreased numbers of affordable housing often to blame. Other notable causes may include:
- Lack of healthcare
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2004 nearly a third of persons living in poverty had no health insurance of any kind. The coverage held by many others would not carry them through a catastrophic illness.- Domestic violence
In 2005, 50 percent of the cities surveyed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors identified domestic violence as a primary cause of homelessness.- Mental illness
Many mentally ill homeless people are unable to obtain access to supportive housing and/or other treatment services. A 2005 U.S. Conference of Mayors study found that about 22 percent of the single adult homeless population suffers from some form of severe and persistent mental illness.- Substance Abuse
While recent research questions the disproportionately high rates of alcohol and drug abuse among the homeless population, and no agreed-upon statistics exist, poor people who abuse substances are far more likely to experience homelessness than their sober counterparts.
Unfortunately, homelessness rates for families and children continue to rise. Such homelessness denies children the type of childhood conducive to a successful life. By neglecting to properly house, nourish and educate these children, society leaves these children unprepared for adult life, trapping the children in a life of poverty.
What do you think?