4 Main Causes of Homelessness

The National Coalition for the Homeless identifies four main causes of homelessness:

Poverty

People living in poverty are most at risk of becoming homeless.

Eroding work opportunities 

High unemployment and the declining “real value” of wages puts housing out of reach for many. There isn’t a state where a person working full time at minimum wage can afford a one- or two-bedroom apartment at market rents.

Decline in public assistance 

The lack of housing subsidies, particularly a freeze on Section 8 certificates, as well as many years of cuts to the Massachusetts housing budget, have left low income families with fewer options. Cuts in funding for education and training have also meant fewer options to increase earning power.

Shortage of affordable housing 

The widening gap between the number of affordable housing units and the number needing them has created a housing crisis. The shortage of affordable housing has resulted in rents that absorb a disproportionately high share of income, leaving many only an illness, accident or paycheck away from becoming homeless.

At Citizens for Adequate Housing (CAH), we believe that the way to help the homeless is to not only provide a place to stay—but to also address those four root causes of homelessness.