By Dr. Bruce Metcalf, CEO, Merced Rescue Mission
If you were to ask a room full of first graders what they want to be when they grow up, not one of them would answer, “I want to grow up to be homeless.” So, what are the root causes of homelessness? Let me share some of these causes with you.
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS - ROOT CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS
Housing Shortage: During the past 50 years, growth in available housing units has not kept pace with population growth.
High Housing Costs: The cost of purchasing a home or renting has skyrocketed, which has priced many people out of the market.
Mental Health Issues: In the 1980’s mental health institutions were closed without a plan for alternative mental health care. Many people found themselves without a place to live and were forced into homelessness.
Broken Relationships: As a result of broken relationships, such as divorce or alienation from family, many people have found themselves homeless.
Loss of Employment: When people have lost jobs, they no longer have been able to make mortgage or rental payments.
Addiction Issues: Drug and alcohol abuse has caused people to lose jobs and relationships. In addition, the loss of jobs and broken relationships have themselves been a cause for people to use drugs and alcohol as they try to drown their pain and feelings of hopelessness.
These are some of the root causes of homelessness. The causes are diverse, and there are no simple answers. To successfully address the issue of homelessness and make positive headway towards solving this issue requires a collaborative effort between the government (local, state, and federal), the religious community, social agencies and organizations, and individuals experiencing homelessness. People experiencing homelessness must be included in the process of finding solutions because any solution personally affects them. The issue of homelessness will not go away by simply ignoring it. We must work together by investing time, money, and other resources.
Merced County is working hard to address the issue of homelessness. The County and cities within the County have joined forces with churches, social organizations, and people experiencing homelessness to make a difference. Together we are on course to reduce the number of unsheltered people experiencing homelessness by more than half in the next two years. Within four years we are hoping to reach a Net Zero* of people experiencing homelessness.
*Net Zero is achieved when there is enough housing for every person experiencing homelessness. As new people become homeless, programs already in place will help in moving them toward housing.
