As of 2022, 21 percent of those experiencing homelessness experienced mental health challenges and 16 percent of individuals had conditions related to chronic substance use disorders.1 We know from experience that these numbers are even higher in large homeless encampments. When compared to those who have stable housing, these health disparities lead to even more health complications and ultimately give the homeless population a higher risk of mortality.2 Therefore, access to stable, permanent housing is literally a matter of life and death.
In the United States, many renter households spend more than 30 percent of their paychecks on housing and its associated costs.1 This phenomenon called “housing costs burdened” directly correlates with an increased risk of homelessness. While we know that housing affordability and availability are the primary drivers of homelessness throughout the country, stressors like unemployment, lack of health coverage and complex personal challenges worsen a housing crisis when it occurs.
For those who did not receive a high school diploma, a housing crisis is made significantly worse. Job prospects are harder to come by, increasing their chances of being homeless by 346 percent. This indicates that unemployment affects those experiencing homelessness more than the average person.3 To make matters worse, if an individual does get a job, they often face more difficulties keeping it. For example, since most of their income is spent on housing, they may not have the money for transportation to a job. This also leads to other needs, such as healthcare, falling to the wayside.
When individuals have fewer opportunities to receive the healthcare services they need, it exacerbates already tenuous housing crises. This, in turn, can negatively affect a person’s mental health, especially if they feel that they are subjected to bias in a clinical setting. Overall, stigma and discrimination are concerns for those experiencing homelessness because people often believe that homeless individuals are solely accountable for their situation. However, domestic violence, for example, as well as experiences of those in the LGBTQ+ community who face discrimination and higher risks of mental health challenges, can lead to homelessness. For these reasons, ending the stigma related to homelessness is paramount to achieving improved behavioral health outcomes.
Housing not only improves social determinants of health, but it is also a more cost-effective strategy for managing public spaces for taxpayers. As of 2017, taxpayer costs were reduced by 49.5 percent when homeless individuals received supportive housing instead of emergency interventions.1 This shows that housing is not only the right thing for us to invest in for our unhoused neighbors – it is also the effective thing to do for taxpayers. We have the opportunity to arrive at better solutions for our communities at large when we work together – and when it comes to homelessness, the effective solution is also the compassionate one.
References:
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- Kitsap County, “Homelessness and Behavioral Health Fact Sheet,” Kitsap County, accessed March 26, 2025, https://www.kitsap.gov
- University of Houston, “Harris County Homelessness Mortality Report (Pilot),” University of Houston, accessed March 26, 2025, https://uh.edu/medicine
- Mark Saldua, “Addressing Social Determinants of Health Among Individuals Experiencing Homelessness,” Behavioral Health News, accessed March 26, 2025, https://behavioralhealthnews.org.
- National Alliance to End Homelessness, “What is Homelessness in America?,” National Alliance to End Homelessness, accessed March 26, 2025, https://endhomelessness.org
- National Alliance to End Homelessness, “Ending Chronic Homelessness Saves Taxpayers Money,” National Alliance to End Homelessness, accessed March 26, 2025, https://endhomelessness.org