Title: National Coalition for the Homeless Homelessness in America - National Coalition for the Homeless
Headings: Homelessness in America
Homelessness in America
Reasons People Become Homeless
Types of Homelessness
Demographics of Homelessness
Geography of Homelessness
Links/Resources
Why Are People Homeless?

Content: According to the United States Census Bureau, the national poverty rate in 2016 was 12.7%. There were 40.6 million people in poverty. While the poverty rate has been slowly declining since 2014, a couple of factors account for continuing poverty: Lack of Employment Opportunities – With unemployment rates remaining high, jobs are hard to find in the current economy. Even if people can find work, this does not automatically provide an escape from poverty. Decline in Available Public Assistance – The declining value and availability of public assistance is another source of increasing poverty and homelessness and many families leaving welfare struggle to get medical care, food, and housing as a result of loss of benefits, low wages, and unstable employment. Additionally, most states have not replaced the old welfare system with an alternative that enables families and individuals to obtain above-poverty employment and to sustain themselves when work is not available or possible. Other major factors, which can contribute to homelessness, include: Lack of Affordable Health Care – For families and individuals struggling to pay the rent, a serious illness or disability can start a downward spiral into homelessness, beginning with a lost job, depletion of savings to pay for care, and eventual eviction. Domestic Violence – Battered women who live in poverty are often forced to choose between abusive relationships and homelessness.