What causes homelessness?
Source: Utah 2010 Comprehensive Report on Homelessness
Many factors come into play when distinguishing an exact cause for homelessness. Ultimately though, it is based on the idea that there is "a lack of affordable, or adequate housing" (Utah 2012 Comprehensive Report). There are countless personal reasons that affect individuals and lead them to becoming homeless including: divorce, abuse, status of health and wellness, and incarceration. Some contributing social factors that play a role in homelessness can include: the state of the economy and job market, lack of affordable housing, and absence of public assistance. These factors are commonly intertwined, with one cause leading to another. Depending on an individual, some aspects are more likely to cause homelessness than others.
Personal Problems
Divorce
Situations involving divorce particularly affect those within a family with children. Mainly, financial problems leading to homelessness come about after divorce situations because there will be one less income to support the family where there once was two. A statistic provided by the 2011 Utah Comprehensive Report on Homelessness states, “In Utah, 13.5% of low-income children live in a single-parent household where the household head was at one time married.” With the rapidly increasing divorce rates in the country, and more specifically the state, homelessness among families of divorce steadily grows more common.
Incarceration
Those who have recently been released from prison or jail are more prone to becoming homeless because they have not had the means of gaining an income during the time they were incarcerated. In addition to that, the 2011 Utah Comprehensive Report on Homelessness writes, “Parole supervision fees and restitution commitments can mean recently discharged individuals have financial commitments beyond conventional expenses of housing, food, and transportation.” Having been incarcerated and having a criminal record, these individuals are much less likely to obtain a job, which could lead to living in poverty, increasing the likelihood of becoming chronically homeless.
Domestic Violence or Abuse
Individuals that suffer from some form of abuse or domestic violence may feel forced to escape from these current situations, and, with nowhere else to live, must resort to becoming homeless. Victims of violence and abuse that are homeless are mainly women that have escaped such abusive relationships. A survey done in Salt Lake City, Utah found that approximately 22% of homeless adults were homeless due to domestic violence (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2011).
State of Health & Wellness
“Homelessness is often the consequence of mental illness, physical disability, or substance abuse for those who do not have access to family or institutional supports” (2011 Utah Comprehensive Report on Homelessness). Individuals that may be suffering from some type of illness or disease are not always able to maintain a house and work in addition to caring for themselves. Veterans commonly return home with drastic physical and mental health problems that make them incapable of supporting themselves or make it extremely difficult to do so. Living with such illnesses without the proper support contributes to the large and growing population of homeless
suffering from disabling conditions.
Divorce
Situations involving divorce particularly affect those within a family with children. Mainly, financial problems leading to homelessness come about after divorce situations because there will be one less income to support the family where there once was two. A statistic provided by the 2011 Utah Comprehensive Report on Homelessness states, “In Utah, 13.5% of low-income children live in a single-parent household where the household head was at one time married.” With the rapidly increasing divorce rates in the country, and more specifically the state, homelessness among families of divorce steadily grows more common.
Incarceration
Those who have recently been released from prison or jail are more prone to becoming homeless because they have not had the means of gaining an income during the time they were incarcerated. In addition to that, the 2011 Utah Comprehensive Report on Homelessness writes, “Parole supervision fees and restitution commitments can mean recently discharged individuals have financial commitments beyond conventional expenses of housing, food, and transportation.” Having been incarcerated and having a criminal record, these individuals are much less likely to obtain a job, which could lead to living in poverty, increasing the likelihood of becoming chronically homeless.
Domestic Violence or Abuse
Individuals that suffer from some form of abuse or domestic violence may feel forced to escape from these current situations, and, with nowhere else to live, must resort to becoming homeless. Victims of violence and abuse that are homeless are mainly women that have escaped such abusive relationships. A survey done in Salt Lake City, Utah found that approximately 22% of homeless adults were homeless due to domestic violence (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2011).
State of Health & Wellness
“Homelessness is often the consequence of mental illness, physical disability, or substance abuse for those who do not have access to family or institutional supports” (2011 Utah Comprehensive Report on Homelessness). Individuals that may be suffering from some type of illness or disease are not always able to maintain a house and work in addition to caring for themselves. Veterans commonly return home with drastic physical and mental health problems that make them incapable of supporting themselves or make it extremely difficult to do so. Living with such illnesses without the proper support contributes to the large and growing population of homeless
suffering from disabling conditions.
Source: thinkprogress.org
Unemployment
The increased rates of unemployment contribute to the rather extensive numbers of homeless in the state of Utah. Those who are currently homeless or have been homeless have a much more difficult time obtaining a job than those who are not. In order to seek employment, individuals often need a recommendation or experience in order to apply for a job. Those who have been homeless for a prolonged time period tend to lack these certain criteria. Many also lack the resources necessary to aid them in finding a job, as well as the education, skills, and networking (2011 Utah Comprehensive Report on Homelessness 9). If they are not able to get hired in the first place they will not be able to achieve any means of employment and aid, and are more likely to remain homeless for longer.
The increased rates of unemployment contribute to the rather extensive numbers of homeless in the state of Utah. Those who are currently homeless or have been homeless have a much more difficult time obtaining a job than those who are not. In order to seek employment, individuals often need a recommendation or experience in order to apply for a job. Those who have been homeless for a prolonged time period tend to lack these certain criteria. Many also lack the resources necessary to aid them in finding a job, as well as the education, skills, and networking (2011 Utah Comprehensive Report on Homelessness 9). If they are not able to get hired in the first place they will not be able to achieve any means of employment and aid, and are more likely to remain homeless for longer.
Economic and Social Factors
Insufficient Job Market and Jobs
Depending on the job market and employment rates, some individuals may not be able to obtain a job that provides enough for the minimal cost of living. A decline in the job market and economy may lead some families or individuals into poverty, increasing the likelihood of them becoming homeless.
Public Assistance
The homeless population needs suitable types of support and assistance in order to improve their current situations and regain a form of housing. Such public assistance programs are vitally important in helping people avoid homelessness altogether. According to the Utah Division of Housing and Development though, existing support programs are not always deemed entirely successful and adequate.
Housing
There are not enough affordable housing options that are reasonable for those living on the poverty line. With no other solutions in finding a place to live, people are pressured to settle for homelessness.
Insufficient Job Market and Jobs
Depending on the job market and employment rates, some individuals may not be able to obtain a job that provides enough for the minimal cost of living. A decline in the job market and economy may lead some families or individuals into poverty, increasing the likelihood of them becoming homeless.
Public Assistance
The homeless population needs suitable types of support and assistance in order to improve their current situations and regain a form of housing. Such public assistance programs are vitally important in helping people avoid homelessness altogether. According to the Utah Division of Housing and Development though, existing support programs are not always deemed entirely successful and adequate.
Housing
There are not enough affordable housing options that are reasonable for those living on the poverty line. With no other solutions in finding a place to live, people are pressured to settle for homelessness.