Homelessness is arguably the most extreme economic hardship that a very small percentage of Americans experience. About 650,000 Americans are homeless each year, or about 0.2% of the country’s population. Importantly, about half of the homeless population finds accommodation each year.
Still, though it is rare, homelessness is a devastating condition. Homelessness is strongly associated with poverty and early death. There is a 60% increase in mortality associated with homelessness. Almost 50% of the homeless have formal employment in the year when they don’t have shelter. Homelessness occurs most often because of long-term economic deprivation, not a large sudden loss of income. The homeless have low incomes, leaving them vulnerable to the loss of shelter when they encounter even small disruptions to their economic circumstance.
Research also shows that mental illness,…
