A way to prevent homelessness is to prevent the problem from occurring in the first place. One way to prevent homelessness is to offer free, comprehensive, and easy access to free or affordable housing to everyone who needs it regardless of their background or credit history. People should not be put into situations where they are forced to live on the streets or couch-surfing because they cannot afford housing. There are also programs that assist people who are struggling with addiction and mental illness with safe and effective treatments.
There are many programs in place to help prevent homelessness, but one of the most important programs is the Prevent Homeless Hotline. This is a free 24-hour hotline that provides access to housing, mental health services, and job assistance. Call 888-988-7384 to speak with a counselor.
A report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness revealed that the number of people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. increased by 15 percent between 2017 and 2018. Of those, an estimated 70 percent were living with a mental or substance use disorder and nearly two-thirds had a chronic health condition.
The organization, Prevent Homeless Group, claims that the rise in homelessness is mainly due to the lack of affordable housing. According to their research, there are nearly 5,000 homeless veterans living in California alone. The organization is working to prevent homelessness by providing temporary housing, permanent supportive housing, and supportive services to prevent homelessness among at-risk populations. They also aim to break the cycle of homelessness by building strong relationships between service providers and the homeless community to create lasting change.
The easiest way to prevent homelessness is to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place. If you are experiencing homelessness, there are programs and services to help you get back on your feet.
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness estimates that there were 564,900 people experiencing homelessness on any given night in the United States in 2018. Of those, approximately 40 percent were living in supportive services group living situations or temporary housing programs. These programs can be incredibly valuable for individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness.
Individual homelessness is often caused by an inability to pay rent or some combination of rent, bills, and medical expenses. One way to help prevent this from happening is to live in a shared space. If you live with roommates, you can ask everyone to pay a portion of the rent, allowing you to live somewhere safe and affordable.
The United Way’s annual “Preventing Homelessness in America” report shows that over 554,000 people are homeless in this country. While programs such as Section 8 are helpful, they are often limited to specific geographic areas and long waitlists. If you are looking to help the homeless population in your area, consider volunteering with Prevent Homeless and help raise awareness through your efforts.
One of the best things that you can do to prevent homelessness is to help build a community where no one is afraid to ask for help. People who are living in poverty are most likely to not have a strong support system. You can help to prevent homelessness by building a community that provides support to one another. If you are interested in doing so, consider starting a community garden or hosting a meet-up to help build relationships.