Some of us are aware or have experienced some of the effects of homelessness. Especially for those who live in Oregon, or more specifically Portland. But do we know about what causes homelessness?
Homelessness is a complex social issue with a variety of economic and social factors that causes it. Each experience is unique to the person who is affected by homelessness. There are complex set of circumstances like addictions, family problems and mental illness to name a few that are combined with various structural forces that lead to poverty and homelessness.
So what are some of the reasons people become homeless?
These are some of the factors that causes it:
Foreclosure
A legal process in which a lender attempts to recover the balance of a loan from a borrower who has stopped making payments to the lender by forcing the sale of the asset used as the collateral for the loan. This issue has tremendously increases the number of people experiencing homelessness.
Poverty
Homelessness and poverty are inevitably linked. The poor are not able to pay for housing, food, childcare, healthcare and education.
Work Opportunities Decreasing
Stagnant or falling means of incomes and less job opportunities with few benefits are one of the reasons why homelessness occurs.
Lack of Public Assistance
There are less availability of public assistance that is the direct result of federal and state cuts which have affected those in communities with less resources which have caused poverty and homelessness to increase.
Mental Illness
Mental health issues are a rising concern in this country and our community. And it is one on of the contributing factor to homelessness. This is an issue as individuals who are affected by it are unable to carry out essential aspects of daily life such as self-care and household management. Furthermore, mental illnesses also prevents people from sustaining stable relationships and this results in them pushing away family and friends.
As mentioned earlier, homelessness is a complex issue that cannot be categorized to just these five factors. There might be other forces that causes it. But it's important to be more knowledgeable about what causes homelessness to help us understand the issue more and perhaps to help others.
Sources:
https://www.solutionsfdl.com/resources/what-causes-homelessness/
https://sputniknews.com/us/201508211026038367/ (Photograph)
https://sputniknews.com/us/201508211026038367/ (Photograph)
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