Facts about Homelessness and Poverty

National Trivia Day is a time to celebrate fun facts and knowledge. It may not be the most serious day on the calendar, but it does provide us with an opportunity to learn more about topics that are often overlooked. The article below will share some of these lesser-known facts about homelessness and poverty, drugs and alcohol, opioids.

Learn all you can today!

Causes of homelessness.

Poverty and homelessness are often found in the same context. Homelessness occurs when one or more members of a household can no longer afford housing. If there is an issue with income, unemployment, mental illness, addiction, disabilities, and chronic illness, this can lead to homelessness. There are many causes of homelessness; the most common ones that contribute to it include:

-not having enough income (or not making enough money)

-job loss or job changes

-moving to an area where the cost of housing is too high

-living in unsafe conditions because you cannot find affordable housing

-medical problems like mental health issues or addictions

One of the best ways to reduce poverty and homelessness includes creating more affordable living environments such as utilizing the shared housing model.

Drugs and alcohol.

Alcohol is a legal drug that causes harm when used in large quantities or over long periods of time. Alcohol can cause health problems such as liver disease, cancer, heart disease, stroke, pancreatitis, and brain damage. It also increases the risk of accidents and injuries. In addition to the risks posed to an individual’s health, alcohol also contributes to violence, crime rates, family dysfunction, and child neglect/abuse.

Illegal drugs are pharmaceuticals that have not received government approval for human consumption. They include both recreational drugs (e.g., marijuana) and illicit drugs (e.g., cocaine, crack, heroin). Many illegal drugs have negative side effects. Long-term use of these substances can lead to addiction and other health problems such as respiratory issues, heart disease, mental illness, diabetes, hepatitis C or HIV/AIDS.

Drugs that are used illegally often contribute to the development of homelessness. Drugs do this by removing a person’s ability to make decisions about their housing status (e.g., staying in an abusive relationship), where they live (e.g., choosing unsafe environments because it will protect them from being arrested), or how much money they spend on rent or bills each month(e.g., giving all earnings from drug sales over to dealers which means there is no money left for rental payments).

Shared Housing

1. What is Shared Housing?

Shared housing is a modern approach to living arrangements, which allows people to live in the same home with roommates while maintaining their independence and privacy, but still having access to social interactions with others nearby.

A shared home can be helpful because it creates companionship which reduces feelings of isolation (feeling alone). Having another person around also means there is added security against burglars, fire hazards like candles without proper safety precautions, or even relapses. Having someone around can mean residents are able to monitor each other's health conditions and remind one another about appointments and medications.

A common preference among those who live in shared homes is that most of them say it helps with loneliness as well as feeling safe at night which allows one's mind to rest easy knowing there is another person nearby should an unexpected issue arise during sleep hours due to mental health conditions.

2. How does Shared Housing help prevent homelessness and promote recovery?

Shared Housing helps prevent homelessness because it provides a stable living environment for those who may be at risk of becoming homeless. It also allows people to maintain their independence and privacy, while still having access to social interactions with others nearby. This can be beneficial for those who are recovering from a mental health condition or addiction, as it can help promote stability in their lives.

The general idea behind shared housing is that by providing a safe and supportive place to live, certain individuals are less likely to become homeless or experience other difficulties later on in life.

In addition to promoting stability, shared housing helps people recover from mental health conditions and addiction. By helping those with a substance use disorder maintain their independence while still having access to the support of others nearby, it may increase their likelihood of staying on track in recovery.

Additionally, living in a shared home can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, which are known to aggravate mental health conditions.

National Trivia Day: Homelessness Facts

-In 2017, there were 530,000 people experiencing homelessness on a single night in the United States. This is the first time since 2007 that the number of homeless has decreased.

-Homelessness disproportionately affects certain groups of people, including veterans (approximately 20% of homeless adults are veterans) and families with children (42% of all homeless are members of families).

-Many people who experience homelessness do so because they cannot afford housing. In fact, it is estimated that over 75% of people who are homeless live below the poverty line

3. Benefits of shared housing for the individual, community, and society

There are many benefits of shared housing for the individual, community, and society. Some of these include:

-Stabilizing those at risk of becoming homeless

-Preventing isolation and loneliness

-Promoting independence

-Reducing costs to taxpayers

-Providing a supportive environment for those recovering from addiction or mental health conditions.

-Reducing crime

National Trivia Day: Poverty Facts

-In 2017, there were 40.62 million people living in poverty in the United States. This is equivalent to 12.73% of the population.

-Poverty rates vary significantly by race and ethnicity; while 11.84% of white people live in poverty, 27.20% of black people do so

Summary

Today, we’ve shared some facts about homelessness and poverty in the United States that should give you an idea of how many people are affected by this nationwide issue. It may be difficult for those who experience housing instability to get back on their feet because it can lead to other difficulties later on in life. If you want to learn more about HOUSE Inc., which has the goal of preventing homelessness through shared living arrangements, visit here: houseinc501c3.org.

HOUSE, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that helps prevent homelessness through shared housing. They provide safe and supportive environments for those who are at risk of becoming homeless and also work to reduce the effects of isolation and loneliness.

You can learn more about HOUSE, Inc. and donate to their cause by visiting their website at houseinc501c3.org.