Inflation: A Pandemic Causing People to Become Homeless

 

Image of woman in small permanent home for homeless next to a house. Source: https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/what-do-unhoused-homeless-people-want/

By Mark Lim | August 10th 2025

Many people see homelessness as something that is caused by laziness, unwillingness to work, demotivation, and many other stigmas that are out there. Although there are cases like those that exist, there are many stories that go untold because of the stigmas that surround homeless people. Another reason that many people face homelessness is because of inflation.

Inflation has been affecting people as the rising prices are demanding of those who are facing homelessness. People struggle to even pay their rent or mortgage so the added cost of inflation causes them to be in a difficult spot. They may have to cheap out on meals or may not be able to eat some meals at all. As the economy gets tougher for them, they lose their homes and eventually become homeless. 

In a study by https://endhomelessness.org/blog/rising-rents-and-inflation-are-likely-increasing-low-income-families-risk-of-homelessness/, we can see that we have reached a 40 year peak when it comes to inflation. It has been increased to 8.6 percent back in May 2021 to 2022. This was after the COVID pandemic which many people were already struggling through as well. The inflation created more homelessness and the article also mentions that average hourly earnings were actually decreased 3 percent over the year when we adjust for inflation. The climbing rent along with the low wages and inflation make it hard for people to make ends meet. By the time they finish one payment, they have to make another. As people, we need to address this issue as it will eventually affect more of the population. We must learn to take action against these rising costs while taking care of those who are suffering from it.

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References

Eshman, R. (2022, October 17). What do homeless people really want? Zócalo Public Square. Retrieved [today’s date, e.g., August 10, 2025], from https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/what-do-unhoused-homeless-people-want/

Hall, A. (2022, June 17). Rising rents and inflation are likely increasing low-income families’ risk of homelessness. National Alliance to End Homelessness. Retrieved August 10, 2025, from https://endhomelessness.org/blog/rising-rents-and-inflation-are-likely-increasing-low-income-families-risk-of-homelessness/