Why Going from Homelessness to Stability Requires a Plethora of Resources and Patience

Contrary to what many believe, homelessness typically isn’t a choice. And once one falls into the cycle, it can be extremely difficult to climb out of. Thankfully, there are resources out there that aim to help individuals experiencing homelessness.

Understanding why time and resources are needed to break free from homelessness can give one a deeper and more nuanced perspective on homelessness in America today.

Here is why going from homelessness to stability requires a plethora of resources and patience.

It’s Difficult for Homeless Individuals to Secure Jobs

For homeless individuals, securing a job can be an uphill battle. First off, individuals affected by homelessness have no address, which is required for paperwork when applying for a job. In addition to this, many people judge homeless individuals unfavorably and may not want to hire them.

While getting a job is hard enough, finding somewhere to wash one’s work clothes and shower to be presentable for work is difficult as well. What these various factors highlight is the fact that it’s nearly impossible for homeless individuals to secure and maintain a job — regardless of one’s level of motivation and determination.

The difficulty of getting jobs is a significant factor that makes it take so long for homeless individuals to find stability. In addition, this problem clearly illuminates the fact that additional resources and help are required to help a significant portion of people escape homelessness on a consistent basis.

The Costs of Homes are Rising

Today, the rates of homelessness among both individuals and families are rising. One of the key reasons for this increase in homelessness is the rising cost of housing, making it difficult for people to secure a stable home.

Some individuals dispute this reasoning, stating that homeless shelters are available to people, making it possible for them to quickly get on their feet. Unfortunately, this is far from the case for individuals who fall into the realm of homelessness.

To secure a stable home, it’s necessary for homeless individuals to save money. Unfortunately, getting a job is extremely difficult if you don’t have a stable address.

What this results in is a cycle of trying to get a job and save up in order to secure a home, and not being able to. And for individuals who do get jobs and attempt to save up enough money, the cost of housing keeps rising out of their reach.

This constant chase of being able to afford the rising costs of shelter is one of the main reasons that a significant amount of public assistance, resources, and patience are needed for individuals affected by homelessness to escape the cycle.

It’s Difficult to Cover the Cost of Beginning a Stable Life

As has been noted, finding a job as a homeless individual can be extremely difficult. From not having an address to being judged by employers, it is typically an uphill battle for most homeless individuals.

Though this is the case, some resilient homeless individuals do manage to get jobs. Unfortunately, these jobs typically can’t cover the cost of getting back to a place of stability.

If one wants to rent a house, one will need to put down a down payment. In addition, there are the costs of renters insurance, utility bills, and other costs associated with moving into a new place. Saving up enough money as a homeless individual to cover all of these costs takes a significant amount of time.

Given the amount of money and time necessary to cover the costs of finding a stable home, it makes sense that resources and time are necessary to help individuals break away from the cycle of poverty.

Many Individuals Experiencing Homelessness Suffer from Mental Illness

Unfortunately, a significant portion of the homeless population suffers from mental illness. These ailments can cause individuals to have a difficult time trying to escape homelessness and seek stability.

Given the fact that many individuals affected by both homelessness and mental illness are unable to take the steps to start seeking stability, it makes sense that resources are needed to aid these individuals in their time of need.

When suffering from specific mental ailments — such as schizophrenia — looking for help from others may not seem like a viable option. Given this precarious situation, more mental health resources are needed to craft solutions that help homeless individuals affected by mental illness.

Homelessness Isn’t a Choice

Homelessness is a dangerous cycle that is extremely difficult for individuals to escape. From not being able to land a job to having to chase the rising costs of homes, homeless individuals are faced with a number of challenges that require resources and patience to overcome.

Thankfully, more is being done today to help combat homelessness and aid individuals in finding stability. With a bit of luck, the next decade will hopefully see a reversal in homelessness trends and an increase in the number of individuals able to successfully break away from the cycle of homelessness.

Photo Credit

Image by Leroy Skalstad from Pixabay

Guest Author Bio
Sarah Daren

With a Bachelor’s in Health Science along with an MBA, Sarah Daren has a wealth of knowledge within both the health and business sectors. Her expertise in scaling and identifying ways tech can improve the lives of others has led Sarah to be a consultant for a number of startup businesses, most prominently in the wellness industry, wearable technology and health education. She implements her health knowledge into every aspect of her life with a focus on making America a healthier and safer place for future generations to come.