There are many pathways to homelessness—job loss, a medical emergency, or an increase in rent, to name a few and there are many ways to exit homelessness. Nonetheless every person’s story is unique, there are commonalities among them. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, a lack of affordable housing is the leading cause of homelessness amongst families with children; and as mentioned above unemployment, poverty and low-wages are also to blame (Reports Ties Lack of Affordable Housing to Family Homelessness, 2014).
More than 60 percent of low income renters in larger cities like Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Washington, DC must dedicate more than half of their monthly income to …show more content…
Addictive disorders upset relationships with family and friends; often causing people to lose their jobs. People who are already struggling to pay their bills, the start or exacerbation of an addiction may cause them to lose their housing.
“A 2008 survey by the United States Conference of Mayors asked 25 cities for their top three causes of homelessness. Substance abuse was the single largest cause of homelessness for single adults (reported by 68% of cities). Substance abuse was also mentioned by 12% of cities as one of the top three causes of homelessness for families.” (Substance abuse and Homelessness, …show more content…
Mental illnesses may also inhibit people from forming and maintaining steady relationships or cause people to misconstrue others’ guidance and react irrationally. This often results in forcing away caregivers, family, and friends who may be the reason keeping that person from becoming homeless. As an outcome of these factors and the stresses of living with a mental disorder, people with mentally illnesses are much more probable to become homeless than the overall population. A study of people with a serious mental illness seen by California’s public mental health system found that 15% were homeless at least once in a one-year period. Patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are predominantly vulnerable (Substance abuse and Homelessness, 2009). Poor mental health may furthermore affect physical health, particularly for people who are homeless. Mental illness may cause people to forget to take the necessary provisions against disease. Combined with inadequate hygiene because of homelessness, this may lead to physical problems such as respiratory infections, skin diseases, or exposure to tuberculosis to name a few. Half of the mentally ill homeless population in the United States also suffers from substance abuse and dependence. Some mentally ill people self-medicate using street drugs, which can lead not only to addictions, as
More than 60 percent of low income renters in larger cities like Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Washington, DC must dedicate more than half of their monthly income to …show more content…
Addictive disorders upset relationships with family and friends; often causing people to lose their jobs. People who are already struggling to pay their bills, the start or exacerbation of an addiction may cause them to lose their housing.
“A 2008 survey by the United States Conference of Mayors asked 25 cities for their top three causes of homelessness. Substance abuse was the single largest cause of homelessness for single adults (reported by 68% of cities). Substance abuse was also mentioned by 12% of cities as one of the top three causes of homelessness for families.” (Substance abuse and Homelessness, …show more content…
Mental illnesses may also inhibit people from forming and maintaining steady relationships or cause people to misconstrue others’ guidance and react irrationally. This often results in forcing away caregivers, family, and friends who may be the reason keeping that person from becoming homeless. As an outcome of these factors and the stresses of living with a mental disorder, people with mentally illnesses are much more probable to become homeless than the overall population. A study of people with a serious mental illness seen by California’s public mental health system found that 15% were homeless at least once in a one-year period. Patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are predominantly vulnerable (Substance abuse and Homelessness, 2009). Poor mental health may furthermore affect physical health, particularly for people who are homeless. Mental illness may cause people to forget to take the necessary provisions against disease. Combined with inadequate hygiene because of homelessness, this may lead to physical problems such as respiratory infections, skin diseases, or exposure to tuberculosis to name a few. Half of the mentally ill homeless population in the United States also suffers from substance abuse and dependence. Some mentally ill people self-medicate using street drugs, which can lead not only to addictions, as