Major Causes of Homelessness in Cities

Introduction:

            Homelessness in major cities can be influenced by multiple factors, and changes can be made with our help. The major causes include the lack of affordable housing and the effect of illness.

Lack of Affordable Housing:

 

            A cause of homelessness is lack of affordable housing. According to Deb Batterham article “Defining ‘At-Risk of Homelessness’: Re-Connecting Causes, Mechanisms and Risk[s]” published in the journal of Housing, Theory, & Society… "[t]here is evidence from the US that areas with tighter housing markets (that is, housing markets with higher average rents, a smaller supply of low-cost private rental housing or lower vacancy rates) tend to have higher homelessness rates." In many of the major cities in the US the cost of living tends to be high due to the demand for apartments and available jobs in big cities. Due to the demand rent tends be high and someone who can't afford the high rent might end up on the streets.

 

Someone who is making minimum wage isn’t going to be able to easily pay for the high cost of living in the cities. The Atlanta Mission article stated, "Now imagine trying to find a place to live when minimum wage is only $7.25 an hour. No one should be left without a home." Having to find an apartment on minimum wage is going to be difficult. A portion of your income has to be spent elsewhere on many other living expenses so it leaves you next to nothing to be spent on rent. Many people have resorted to living on the streets due to the lack of money left over to spend on rent.

 

The image below shows you the average cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in major cities in the US.

When I saw the price for an apartment in a US city I couldn’t believe how high the prices were.  The Atlanta Mission article stated, "[t]he average one bedroom apartment in the city is about $1,000 per month." The average price for apartments in major cities is between $1,000 to 3,000. The average cost in Atlanta is on the lower end of the price range but can still be very expensive for someone who is living on minimum wage. 

 

False Beliefs Related to Homelessness:

 

Some people may say why doesn’t someone who is homeless just get a job. Or they didn’t want to work, that’s why they're homeless. This is not the case for most people. They have jobs but after having to pay many bills they couldn't afford rent. Also, some might question why should they help the homeless? Homelessness greatly affects the Gen X and Baby Boomer generation because they makeup a huge chunk of the population. The Center for Elders stated, "researchers found that half of homeless adults are now 50 and older, compared to 11 percent almost 30 years ago. Again, 50% of homeless adults are over 50!" Half of the homeless population are people just like you and the number keeps rising. 

Illness:

 

Illness is a cause of homelessness that can affect many people. For some people illness can cause them to have to miss work and that can cause many struggles for them. This can be extremely hard for those who live paycheck to paycheck and don’t get sick days. The money they loss may have been going towards their rent. So, they have to make the decision on what to spend their money on. Will money go towards food or rent this month? Having to choose between two things that are seen by most of us as necessities is heartbreaking to hear.

 

Another factor of illness that can cause homelessness is those that have chronic illness or a disability. The Atlanta Mission website stated, “Chronic illness and disability prevent someone from holding a job, and without a job, you have no means of steady income.” For some who have chronic illness or a disability living paycheck to paycheck can make it extremely hard for them to keep with rent payments. They have to pay for all the other living expenses on top of the medical care they need to make sure they are healthy. Not being able to hold down a job due to chronic illness or a disability can make it extremely hard for someone to get by.

 

                                           Image by: Tim King

How Others Can Help:

            There are somethings we can do to help those who are homeless. First, is create awareness about the real reasons that many people are living on the streets, like the lack of affordable housing in big cities and how illnesses can have big effects on income and homelessness.  

Second, we need to get rid of the negative thoughts surrounding the reasons someone is homeless. Next time you hear someone say one of the negative comments try to explain to them the actual causes of homelessness.

Lastly, giving your time to help the homeless in any way you can help a lot.  The VOA stated, "We have found that, without supportive services, housing is often not enough to end homelessness." Many of the services that are provided to the homeless truly can help them by providing them with support. There are many opportunities for you to provide your support by helping with services like drop- in centers or shelters.

In order to create change it has to start with creating awareness and creating change within the causes of homelessness. Anything you do can help whether it be giving your time, helping cause awareness, or getting rid of the negative ideas surrounding homelessness.