Homelessness has unfortunately become a widespread epidemic throughout the United States. It affects many, many people, and those who have had to deal with the difficulty of not having a home often represent a surprisingly diverse faction of society. There are those that have Master’s degrees, people who used to be doctors, high school kids, whole families that were once middle class and suddenly found themselves floundering – there is no way to generalize the life of a homeless person, regardless of what society at large says. If you or someone you know has been through this experience, then you must all be too aware of this painful reality.
Here’s how homelessness affects millions of people worldwide:
It Can Impact Anyone
Homelessness is something that can happen to different people, regardless of their circumstances. While, of course, a financial safety net helps, there are other factors that come into play. For instance, individuals who do not find adequate support for mental health issues are more vulnerable and have a higher risk of losing their homes.
Also, the last Great Recession of 2008 didn’t spare anyone. Many people lost their jobs and homes suddenly – especially those who were manipulated into purchasing a property back before the housing and personal loan bubbles burst. This led to the tragedy of whole families living in their van or in tents as opposed to a warm home overnight, and the fate of homelessness didn’t spare a soul.
Lack of Resources
Homelessness results from a lack of resources, be they financial, mental health-related, etc. Sometimes, people wait till it’s too late to ask around about important ways to avoid being evicted from their homes, due to general anxiety or wounded pride. However, if you are currently renting and unsure of whether you can make next month’s rent on your home or apartment, there are ways to help stop the damage.
Financial advisors at https://www.loanry.com/blog/places-that-offer-help-with-rent/ recommend various methods of payment that will assist in keeping you and your family safe until your financial troubles ease up a bit. There are rental assistance programs through the state and other private entities that could help lift the burden off your shoulders if you contact them on time. This can help individuals who recently lost their jobs or those enduring illnesses that prevent them from going to work.
The Domestic Abuse Connection
Studies have shown that a sizable portion of those who are currently living in homeless shelters are victims of domestic violence. Lots of women and children run away due to an abusive partner or parent, causing them to end up without a home and leaving all financial resources behind. While ideally, the police should be more involved whenever a serious domestic violence case comes up, the reality is that the home becomes such a terrifying place to live in that many decide it’s best to leave without a trace.
Children Are Not Exempt
When the general public thinks of homeless people, they tend to envision someone who is older, perhaps a teenager or a middle-aged person. What many unfortunately do not realize is that tens of thousands of the homeless – if not more – are children. This horrifying reality comes about primarily due to extreme financial duress, and a family that suddenly finds itself in the streets.
Physical Disabilities
Another terrible reality is that the country’s work environment is simply not hospitable for those with physical disabilities. Those who cannot easily find work and find themselves without a support network are far more likely to end up homeless. And, given the lack of a true infrastructure for health care, it is very likely that someone who has been injured on the job finds themselves without work or a place to stay as a result.
A Vicious Cycle
The trauma caused by homelessness can lead to serious mental health issues, even if the individual already exhibited symptoms prior to the event. Extended periods of being without a home exacerbate feelings of anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction, and so on, which would then make it difficult to hold onto any job opportunity if it does arise, causing the cycle to continue. Without proper support systems in place, homelessness is not an easy thing to eradicate at all.
In the end, homelessness is a complex issue that cannot be swept under the rug, and one cannot use a broad thesis or two to explain its existence. Knowledge is key, and if you feel that you are under considerable financial and emotional duress, it is important to reach out as soon as you can, to acquire the resources available out there that can help your situation.