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
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Outstanding work!
I believe this website contains some real wonderful information for everyone. “The best friend is the man who in wishing me well wishes it for my sake.” by Aristotle.
whoah this blog is wonderful i love reading your articles. Keep up the great work! You know, lots of people are looking around for this information, you could help them greatly.
Its fantastic as your other blog posts : D, appreciate it for posting.
Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this site. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s challenging to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and visual appearance. I must say you’ve done a awesome job with this. Also, the blog loads very quick for me on Safari. Exceptional Blog!
I have been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the net will be a lot more useful than ever before.
Way cool, some valid points! I appreciate you making this article available, the rest of the site is also high quality. Have a fun.
Real wonderful information can be found on blog. “I said I didn’t want to run for president. I didn’t ask you to believe me.” by Mario M Cuomo.
Greetings from Carolina! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to check out your site on my iphone during lunch break. I love the info you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, great blog!
Almost all of whatever you point out happens to be astonishingly precise and that makes me wonder the reason why I hadn’t looked at this with this light previously. Your article really did switch the light on for me as far as this particular topic goes. Nevertheless at this time there is actually one factor I am not really too cozy with and while I make an effort to reconcile that with the actual central theme of your position, let me see exactly what the rest of your visitors have to point out.Well done.