Homelessness isn’t a choice — it's often the result of a storm of challenges.
By understanding the causes, we can better address and prevent it.
Main Causes of Homelessness
1. Lack of Affordable Housing
- Rent prices rising faster than wages
- Housing shortages in cities and growing suburbs
2. Poverty
- Living paycheck to paycheck with no safety net
- Job loss, underemployment, or unstable work conditions
3. Mental Health & Addiction
- Untreated mental illnesses and trauma
- Substance use without access to recovery support
4. Domestic Violence
- Fleeing unsafe home environments, often with children
- Survivors left without financial resources
5. Systemic Inequality
- Discrimination in housing, employment, and healthcare
- Formerly incarcerated individuals face extreme barriers
