What is homelessness?
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) describe five types of homelessness, each requires a different type of support. The categories can also overlap.
Visible Homelessness
This the stereotype of a person sleeping in a park, while some others live in cars or incampments. |
Invisible Homelessness
This refers to individuals temporarily living in a place without a guarantee of a long-term situation. This can be couch surfing or staying with friends. This also refers to those living in motels. |
Transitional Homelessness
This is usually one short episode of homelessness due to a sudden traumatic life change. |
Episodic Homelessness
According to HUD, this refers to individuals who are currently homeless and have experience at least three period of homelessness in the previous year. |
Chronic Homelessness
According to HUD, this is a homeless individual with a disabling condition who has been continuously homeless for a year or more. Most chronic homelessness is visible. |
Causes of Homelessness
Harbor House works with those experiencing homelessness every day. There are root causes for these issues and here are some reasons individuals experience homelessness.
Causes of Homelessness include:
Stagnant wages, unemployment, lack of affordable housing, lack of affordable healthcare, poverty, lack of mental health and addiction treatment services, racial inequality, domestic violence, family conflict and systemic failures.
Causes of Homelessness include:
Stagnant wages, unemployment, lack of affordable housing, lack of affordable healthcare, poverty, lack of mental health and addiction treatment services, racial inequality, domestic violence, family conflict and systemic failures.
Housing First Model
The Housing First model was developed by housing and homelessness advocate. The Housing First model was later adopted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a policy requirement for grantees because of its effectiveness in ending the cycle of homelessness and poverty. The model prioritizes providing permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness, thus ending their homelessness. Once housing then a person can attend to other things such as employment, life skills, mental health or treatment for addiction. The Housing First model treats housing as the foundation for life improvement.
Affordable Housing
Affordable Housing Boosts Local Economies
Building affordable housing is crucial in closing the wealth disparity in our community. Affordable housing helps tackle the growing housing affordability crisis in many communities. As housing prices continue to rise faster than incomes, a significant portion of the population struggles to find suitable and affordable housing options. Building affordable housing ensures that individuals and families with lower incomes can access safe, decent, and affordable homes. Lack of affordable housing is a key driver of homelessness. By increasing the supply of affordable housing, we can provide stable and secure housing options for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Affordable housing is also crucial for maintaining and enhancing economic stability and growth in communities. When people can afford housing, they have more disposable income to spend on other necessities, such as food, healthcare, education, and transportation. This increased spending boosts local businesses, creates jobs, and stimulates economic activity. Investing in affordable housing can yield long-term cost savings for society. Stable and affordable housing reduces the strain on public resources, such as emergency shelters, healthcare services, and social assistance programs. By preventing homelessness and addressing housing needs proactively, governments can allocate resources more effectively and efficiently. Overall, building affordable housing is a critical step in promoting social equity, reducing homelessness, fostering economic stability, improving health outcomes, and creating vibrant and inclusive communities. |