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
Good write-up, I am regular visitor of one’s website, maintain up the excellent operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
I have been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this web site. Thank you, I will try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your website?
naturally like your web-site but you need to check the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth nevertheless I will certainly come back again.
Hi! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Thank you
You have brought up a very good points, thanks for the post.
Whats Taking place i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It absolutely useful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to contribute & aid different customers like its aided me. Great job.
I truly appreciate this post. I have been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thank you again
Attractive element of content. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to say that I get actually loved account your weblog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing on your augment or even I fulfillment you get admission to constantly fast.
Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your web site is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this web site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for more articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched everywhere and just could not come across. What a perfect web-site.
My husband and i felt so happy Albert managed to finish up his studies because of the precious recommendations he had out of the blog. It’s not at all simplistic to simply continually be handing out strategies which others may have been making money from. Therefore we do know we now have the website owner to thank for this. The most important illustrations you have made, the simple site navigation, the friendships you can help to create – it’s mostly excellent, and it’s facilitating our son and our family reason why this theme is amusing, which is certainly pretty essential. Thank you for everything!