Though it has been five years since the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States is still faced with the aftermath of the historical economic crisis that occurred during lockdown. In recent years, housing costs have experienced a record spike following these events.
Mental health, drug addiction and a general lack of resources for individuals of lower-incomes has left many at risk of experiencing homelessness. Affordable housing has experienced a rapid decline which only continues to contribute to this risk.
Affordable Housing Shortage
In a report shared by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, an alarming shortage of affordable homes has contributed to the rise in people experiencing homelessness.
A major contributor to this increase in unhoused individuals is the growing disparity between social classes. Low-income renters face a shortage of 7.1 million affordable homes, according to a study.
Federal funding for lower-income housing has also seen a decrease in recent years. In May of this year, the Trump administration presented a “skinny budget” proposal which would cut existing housing funds from $58.4 billion to $31.7 billion. If this budget is pursued, housing resources would be reduced from serving 4.5 million to 2.4 million households.
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, ¾ of households with a low-income background do not receive federal housing assistance, a number that is predicted to increase if this proposal is pursued.
Lack of Resources
Another contributor to the rise in homelessness stems from a general lack of resources for individuals who face a higher risk of becoming unhoused.
Individuals such as veterans, immigrants and others who face mental health challenges, active addiction or were formerly incarcerated, are more likely to face economic challenges.
Veterans make up 5.3% of the nation’s homeless population where 73% of veterans who are experiencing homelessness are also struggling with substance abuse. As a result of lingering PTSD symptoms, the shortage of affordable housing and access to health care, veterans are often faced with homelessness.
Many individuals move to the United States to seek asylum but are faced with the challenges of inaccessible housing. The Department of Housing and Urban Development shares that a recent increase in homelessness relates to the influx of asylum seekers. In a study conducted across 13 communities reportedly affected by migration, they found that family homelessness increased by 39%.
Formerly incarcerated people are of another susceptibility to homelessness. These individuals are more than 10 times more likely to be homeless than the general population, according to the Prison Policy Initiative . In this same report it is stated that, “People who have been to prison just once experience homelessness at a rate nearly seven times higher than the general public.”
Though these groups may be more likely to become unhoused, this risk continues to grow as affordable housing and general resources continue to diminish.
Follow @VALLEYmag on Instagram for more.
Related
Trump’s Executive Orders: The Impact on Penn State
The Price of Protectionism
“Build Back Better” 101: Reasoning and Controversy
Great website! I am loving it!! Will be back later to read some more. I am taking your feeds also.
Simply wanna input on few general things, The website style is perfect, the articles is really wonderful : D.
I admire your piece of work, appreciate it for all the informative blog posts.
It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d most certainly donate to this superb blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates and will talk about this website with my Facebook group. Talk soon!
I think other site proprietors should take this web site as an model, very clean and fantastic user friendly style and design, let alone the content. You’re an expert in this topic!
When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a remark is added I get four emails with the identical comment. Is there any way you can take away me from that service? Thanks!
I’ll immediately grab your rss feed as I can’t find your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please let me know in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.
Good web site! I really love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I might be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick! Have a nice day!
Thank you for sharing with us, I think this website really stands out : D.
I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the structure of your website? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?