Why are the homeless, homeless?

[TheBlade]

4 hours ago, upuntildown said:

Why are the homeless, homeless?

My personal belief is that the homeless were abandoned by their families for whatever reason.

Does anyone know of any studies on this?

 Hi.. Oh I am sure thats the case from some but if you ever been out there witnessing or just trying to help you get shocked at how many will take clothes and food YET do not want help to leave the streets. 

[Marathoner]

Here's what I've seen as someone who works with the homeless. Remember that factors which can lead to homelessness vary from place to place and also different times, but factors which contribute to a homeless *lifestyle* are, by and large, universal here in the United States.

Economic/financial instability is the leading cause of homelessness where I work. Job loss... inability to find work which is sufficient to meet housing and transportation requirements... trauma in one's life... are usually where it begins. Irresponsibility due to mental illness or destructive addictions is less common, but it does happen. Either one (or both) can conspire to create financial ruin.

Over the years, I've encountered four people who wanted to live that way. They left their homes, their jobs, and families (if they had one), and disappeared. They were not seeking help from others until something --- usually a medical emergency of some kind --- brought them into a setting where others sought to change their minds about their choice of lifestyle. All four tried to change for a little while, but disappeared again. 

Destructive addictions, mental illness, and physical disabilities are the leading causes of homelessness becoming a lifestyle. The habits associated with that peculiar lifestyle are what the nonprofit I work for seeks to address. We operate a program, and this program helps a client to discard the trappings of the homeless lifestyle.

Old habits are replaced with new habits conducive to financial stability, commitment to treatment for whatever ails them, productive work that pays the bills, and access to services which gives them a "leg up" in becoming established again. This can't be done in a homeless shelter. It can only happen in a residential program. 

The Salvation Army offers a program like this. That's an example most should be familiar with. 

The homeless lifestyle, my friends, is the root of the problem. Most find themselves cast into that lifestyle and for those who seek help to break free of those bonds, programs like the one I work for exist for their sake.

Yep, it's a complicated subject to be sure.

[Marathoner]

4 hours ago, Mr. M said:

Two major contributors are substance use and mental illness,

with dual diagnosis in many cases.

Mental health issues are a predictor of homelessness, and homelessness exacerbates and increases risk of mental health issues. Impairments in functioning often associated with mental health issues can lead to loss of employment and housing, and homelessness poses risks of increased stress, which is then associated with increased anxiety, depression, trauma, and traumatic brain injuries. Given all of the factors, it is not surprising that that two-thirds of surveyed homeless adults in the U.S. have a mental health and/or substance use disorder. One in nine Americans has an alcohol or drug problem (other than nicotine) compared to approximately one in three homeless persons. An estimated 20–25% of the homeless population in the United States suffers from serious mental health issues, compared to only 4–6% of the general population. An equally important statistic is that 24% of Americans age 12 or older smoke cigarettes, compared to approximately 70% of surveyed homeless people. In addition, as many as 80% of homeless persons tested have marked deficits in cognitive functioning*, which would only serve to make mental health issues more severe or impairing. For more information on this topic see Adapting Your Practice: General Recommendations for the Care of Homeless Patients (National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC), 2010).

*in other words, education deficiencies/learning disorders

Thanks for sharing that, brother. It helps shed light on that homeless lifestyle I refer to and why this topic is complicated.

The rise of fentanyl where I live has been devastating. It doesn't take long for someone to become addicted to fentanyl and it's derivatives, and I've witnessed what this scourge from the pit does to minds and lives. It destroys both.

There is a connection between fentanyl use, homelessness, and crimes like assault, homicide, and armed robbery. Because this phenomenon is relatively recent, data and statistics have yet to be established. Ah, but I'm in a position to witness this firsthand. 

We've only just acquired the ability to detect fentanyl and its ten known derivates. Without specialized testing material, fentanyl cannot be detected via standardized drug screens. I know this:

It's common practice for fentanyl to be mixed with crystal meth, heroin, PCP, and a barbiturate or synthetic opiate like oxycodone. That's the sort of death peddled on the streets here. 

[Marathoner]

Fentanyl withdrawal can cause violent behavior and foment homicidal ideations in the addict. After this city became a hub for fentanyl trafficking, random assaults against passerby in certain locations tripled in frequency. 

Homelessness is hard to begin with, but to be homeless in the city where I live is very dangerous. 

[Mr. M]

2 minutes ago, Marathoner said:

Homelessness is hard to begin with, but to be homeless in the city where I live is very dangerous. 

A symptom of the rising spirit of lawlessness.

[Marathoner]

6 minutes ago, Mr. M said:

A symptom of the rising spirit of lawlessness.

I agree. I know this is spiritual, my friend. Most of us aren't familiar with principalities (kingdoms) of wickedness and the dark spiritual rulers which govern them beyond what the apostle reveals in scripture.

There is a principality of terror and murder, and hyperviolent gangs and the drug cartels are the flesh and blood thralls of this spiritual power of wickedness. These spiritual rulers are those whom we strive against. 

[Neighbor]

The term homeless is a term of these times, but there have always been those that are transient. They have been termed vagrant, tramp, bum, over the decades past.

I personally remember a time when townships handled their own poverty stricken with "poor houses", literally  an old school structure  with the classrooms rooms quickly  subdivided with minimal framed "walls".

Oddly that is being done locally today to make  rental units for teachers.  Back when there were the township poor houses there were not wandering military veterans, nor druggies as we know of them today; but there was cocaine, and it came from the South of the USA.

My father wrote a paper on back in 1939 as a 16 year old high school student  that has been published a few times over the years, the paper projected the plight we would be and are in today due to the illegal drug use.

Our Bible tells us of homelessness, and also that the poor will be with us always. So I personally do not attribute it to  any particular drug problem nor war veteran issue. I do know that  as the ages changed from agrarian, to industrial, to technological, to  what is no happening  with AI, people have been uprooted, displaced.

There are few if any row houses in factory owned townships today, where families of up to 17 or even more share one or two rooms of a row house. But if one looks at the US census reports from  a hundred years ago that story is there.

However; less than 40 years ago, I was familiar with the plight of the displaced at Los Angeles where hot sheeting was more than a vague term. It was reality for tens of thousands that  did share beds in shifts three shifts everyday  fo reach bed and up to 17 or 18 to  tiny  flat of a three of four or five story slum house.

It is NOT new. Giving it a new name, or finding a new cause to blame it on will not change it. Some will fail to thrive. Maybe more than ever before will fail. It is a harsh world that Christians are called out to be a light in. Nonetheless be the light is our calling by God.

[JohnD]

1 hour ago, Neighbor said:

The term homeless is a term of these times, but there have always been those that are transient. They have been termed vagrant, tramp, bum, over the decades past.

Very good point.

Nomads... even Jesus and his disciples had no place to lay their heads...

Point being while most of us abide by the requirements for civilization, there are legitimate exceptions to the rule and they are not to be looked down upon or besmirched.

Even with drug or alcohol addiction or P.T.S.D. people need provision and protection. The Law of Moses provided for the poor (do not glean to the edges of your property but allow the poor to glean for themselves to the edges). 

When we (as a nation) did away with most of the mental hospitals to save a buck or to "give people back their freedom" we did many of these people a disservice.

[Starise]

 I guess  the homeless in my parents generation might have been a slightly different demographic, yet similar in many ways. 

We don't have many homeless around here where I live. Maybe a few hanging on for dear life to stay in an apartment or home. Aside from the substance abuse issues that put many on the road as homeless. I see one group as liking the setup. If the climate is decent, set up somewhere. No rent, no electric bill, they find ways to eat. Wouldn't be ideal for me.

I see many people forced into a corner in the future due to inflation, lack of jobs that pay enough to live, high interest rates and mortgages. etc. If a person is willing to work, but can't find anything affordable, what do they do?

Not every family is able or willing to take them in seeing it as a major disruption to their lives. You have to get used to things, lay down rules or go crazy with some people.

 

[upuntildown]

On 8/20/2023 at 11:00 AM, Mr. M said:

80% of homeless persons tested have marked deficits in cognitive functioning*, which would only serve to make mental health issues more severe or impairing. For more information on this topic see Adapting Your Practice: General Recommendations for the Care of Homeless Patients (National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC), 2010).

I for one think you for your detailed post.

Again, thanks