Homelessness
The causes, risks and realities of homelessness in America
Understanding Homelessness
In the simplest terms, homeslessness is caused by the lack of affordable housing and limited amount of housing assistance available to those who need it. High rent burdens, overcrowding and substandard housing force many people to become homeless but has also put a growing number of people at risk of becoming homeless.
Homelessness in America
In the 1970s and early 1980s, drastic cuts were made to federal affordable housing programs. Today there is a growing movement to create permanent supportive housing for people who chronically experience homelessness due to disability or health issues. But building affordable housing takes too long in most cities because of political foot-dragging, municipal agency delays, and the painstaking process of raising money. As a result, affordable housing is not being built at a pace fast enough to end homelessness.
Advocating for affordable housing, rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing, and vouchers are essential in ending the homeless epidemic. Learn about the differences between each type of housing support, and how to get involved locally to make a difference when it comes to homelessness in your community.
