A familiar image of homelessness is a man sleeping on the park bench with a worn blanket. However, this stereotype fails to convey many of the social and economic causes behind homelessness. Even the employed and families are at risk for poverty and loss of a home. On average, 3.5 million people in the United States experience homelessness each year (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2005).

The Origins of Homelessness

Lack of Affordable Housing
The cost for living in Western Washington has reached an all-time high. Working at the minimum wage for 40 hours a week fails to provide enough money for a fair market rent, two bedroom apartment. In fact, an individual would have to earn over $14.40 an hour just to meet rent and have the minimum left over to meet other financial obligations. Economic issues such as substandard employment currently prevents 12.9% of the United States Population, 35.9 million individuals, from overcoming poverty (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2004).

Domestic Violence
A consistently unstable domestic life, rooted in alcohol or drug abuse, violent conflict, or vehement oppression, eventually takes its toll on individuals. With nowhere else to turn, the targets of these forces (oftentimes women and children) often leave their homes in desperation. Most homeless women and teens have a history of domestic abuse.

Childcare and Family Costs
A major financial strain on families with young children is the high costs of good childcare. An individual working a minimum wage job cannot afford to provide daycare for one child while also paying rent. The most common victims of homelessness due to soaring childcare costs are single-parent families, especially single women.

Physical and Mental Disabilities
Homelessness is almost always an additional threat to individuals with severe mental illness, physical disabilities, AIDS, or chronic substance abuse problems. With the current lack of affordable and supportive housing and treatment services, these individuals are especially prone to suffer from homelessness.

A Call for Change
Support and education for those susceptible to homelessness is clearly valuable. Non-profit organizations such as Helping Hand House have the remarkable potential to assist in preventing and ending homelessness and offering a brighter future for victims of homelessness.