Homelessness, Unemployment, and Consistent Income

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        An essential part of having a safe life where you can properly take care of yourself is having a consistent stream of income. Without income you lose out on healthcare, food, water, and safety. Consistent income and employment is key to gaining housing stability. All of which are basic needs that every human being is entitled to. In the United States. As well as the United Kingdom, unemployment and poverty are two of the most common causes of homelessness. We know that homelessness is not monolithic, but rather something that can happen in a vacuum. There are many nuances to homelessness. Many of the causes of homelessness as well as income insecurity can cause a ripple effect of sorts. According to “The Balance” there are three primary causes of unemployment in The United States, all of which fall into two highly relevant categories.


The first is cynical, This is usually when the demand for work is too high and the number of jobs are deficient. Next is structural, which is when technology becomes very advanced or when jobs are outsourced to another country. COVID-19 has also made unemployment highly common. Unemployment rose higher in three months of COVID-19 than it did in two years of the Great Recession which is. In May 2020, there were over 20.5 million unemployed Americans in the United States. There are also folks who end up losing a job due to a mental health issue or substance addiction. Another common cause of homelessness within the U.S.


Many mental health issues like depression and anxiety can really take a toll on your job performance. However homelessness can also compromise your mental health in multiple ways. The shelters themselves are not only difficult to navigate with or without a mental illness, but also staying in a mental health facility can also make someone more vulnerable to mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders and substance abuse disorders. Many factors such as sleep deprivation, exposure, fears about personal safety, loss of family and friends, the absence of routine and social stigma can contribute to the development of certain diseases.


Since homeless folks have no way of saving their money. They are often tempted to spend any money that they have been given to survive. When you have no cash, credit cards, debit cards, or bank accounts. Getting on your feet without these things is incredibly difficult. Recently a measure to tax the wealthiest residents of Portland was passed to raise 2.5 billion dollars and use the money to address the homeless problem in Portland that has been expanding for over a decade. Nearly 60% of voters in the three counties that make up the greater Portland region approved the tax in the primary election.


 Not every case is the same though, as some people experiencing homelessness may have previous connections and experience. However connecting folks who are experiencing homelessness with job training and placement programs is really important to provide them with the tools they need for long-term stability.


Author: Brian Aiken


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