Housing affordability and homelessness go hand in hand. Homelessness is the product of a broken Housing ecosystem. Communities used to have plenty of affordable housing and when a family or individual experienced a crisis that resulted in losing their home, they could quickly find a place to live. However, the supply of low-cost housing has shrunk, rents have continued to rise and lower-income individuals have experienced a slow wage growth. 

In a healthy housing market, housing units available will match the number of those seeking a home. However, our housing ecosystem is under functioning by the underproduction of affordable housing. Without enough housing units, families will be forced into long periods without a stable place to live. Underproduction of affordable housing pushes rent to high levels, which will push more and more people into homelessness. 

What are some of the solutions that will combat homelessness? 

Connecting people experiencing homelessness to housing and services, having policies that provide more housing units for low income individuals, and building more homes for people of all income levels.

There are homelessness-focused housing models for homeless assistance programs:

Permanent supportive housing: Pairs long-term rental assistance with support services. Targets individuals with chronic illnesses, disabilities, mental health issues, or substance use disorders who have experienced homelessness.

Rapid re-housing: Provides short-term rental assistance and services. Helps people obtain housing quickly, increases self-sufficiency, and stay housed.

There are public housing and voucher programs that provide safe affordable housing for low-income people:

Housing Choice Voucher Program: A program that provides vouchers to low-income households to help pay for housing in the private market.

Pubic Housing: A federally-funded housing that is rented at subsidized rate to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and those with disabilities. 

If you are interested in donating to help vulnerable neighbors throughout, follow the link provided on the National Alliance to End Homelessness to donate now. 

https://endhomelessness.org/help-end-homelessness/