Why do People Become Homeless?

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WHY DO PEOPLE BECOME HOMELESS?

1) Job loss

According to a recent study, job loss is the number one reason why people become homeless. Almost a third of people said that are homeless because of job loss.

2) Eviction

"My eviction did not come with a dramatic pounding on the front door, as it happens in the movies," Just an unceremonious letter, lumped in between credit card offers and credit card bills. Though they didn’t let on much, my children sensed my fear and anxiety... I fought back tears upon discovering a small cardboard square in my 7-year-old daughter’s suitcase. In blue crayon, she had drawn a stick figure with a frowning face. Above the figure it read, 'I AM HOMLESS.' " - MD Markus

According to the New York Times, 4 million residents are legally evicted each year. Estimates suggest that about 14% of those families end up in homeless shelters. This means that annually, over half a million people become homeless due to landlord eviction.

Another way is by a family member. When asked, many individuals say their parents or siblings kicked them out. So domestic altercations usually are the culprit.

People also become homeless because a family member kicks them out.

3) Separation from spouse

Like the unfortunate woman (in the video above) who became homeless because her husband passed away, another reason is separation from a spouse. Whether a divorce a breakup or death, these situations usually happen unexpectedly. When one does not see a breakup, divorce, or death of a spouse coming, homelessness can be the result.

4) Health issues

Poor physical health

Another common reason why people become homeless is due to physical health issues. In "Why Homelessness Is a Problem?", it was said that the cold and uncared for are two times as likely as the housed to suffer from diabetes, hypertension, and a heart attack. They are 20 times more likely to suffer from HIV. While the stress of homelessness can sometimes create or compound these problems, the problems themselves can cause homelessness. In "Health and Homelessness," Maywish Moiz tells us "There is a strong correlation between health and homelessness. Poor health often causes homelessness."

Poor Mental Health

"I have been homeless twice – once when I was 23 and again at 30. Both times it was due to mental health problems. The first time it happened I left my job because I wasn’t well... I went to stay with friends... [There, I] had a panic attack. My friends said: “We love you but you’re starting to drive us mad.” So I left and wandered the streets."

A quarter of the entire homeless population is mentally ill. 150 million people are homeless worldwide. Out of those, a significant majority emerge displaced due to their mental illnesses. Mental illness causes homelessness because an individual cannot often sustain employment. Not being able to pay the rent, they are forced out on the streets. Friends and family often don't even know they're homeless. They stop socializing entirely.

5) Domestic violence

 

Domestic violence is another reason why people become homeless. In the city of Los Angeles, for example, domestic violence displaces more than 18,000 people per year. Fleeing to avoid domestic abuse, victims often end up on the streets.

6) Substance abuse

Drugs

"When I was in London I started taking drugs. That stopped me [from] sorting myself out and finding a place. It wasn’t a nice time and there were not many jobs around. I ended up being homeless on the streets... I served a few spells in prison but I would usually end up on the streets." - Tony from Somerset

As was the case with Tony from the quote above, another reason why people become homeless is drug use. Approximately 26% of the down and out abuse substances other than alcohol. Like so many other causes of homelessness, drug use can be both a cause and a result of their situation. 68% of the general public, when asked, thought that substance abuse was the main reason why people became homeless. The truth is the number is far less. Only 24% of the population uses substances.

Alcohol

Studies show that 38% of homeless respondents suffer from alcoholism. In "Million Dollar Murray," Michael Gladwell tells the story of a homeless man in Reno, Nevada who cost the state nearly 1 million dollars in medical and incarceration bills due to his alcoholism. While drug use is more common among the younger generations, alcohol abuse is more common among the older.

7) Incarceration

The final reason why people become homeless is incarceration. After leaving prison it can be difficult to find employment. Because of this, many individuals with a criminal record end up on the streets. In the fascinating short video "The Vicious Cycle of Incarceration Homelessness," PBS NewsHour explains this quite well: