Homelessness presents a complex challenge for American communities

Homelessness is a complex problem that occurs in cities and towns across the United States.  According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, nearly 700,000 people in the U.S. experience homelessness on any given night.  Furthermore, over 1.5 million Americans use a shelter or transitional housing annually.  There are several factors that cause homelessness including: alcoholism, broken families, drug addiction, mental illness, unemployment, and poverty; however, access to affordable housing is the main reason why people experience homelessness.  Scarce affordable housing is especially prevalent in urban communities.     

A goal that the Obama administration has advocated for is to eradicate homelessness among veterans by 2015.  In 2009, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki promised that the administration would eradicate homelessness among veterans by 2015.  This goal is certainly a noble one and in order for it to be attained billions more in federal money will be needed to address the needs of homeless veterans. 

Shinseki’s plans were detailed in a November 12, 2012 Associated Press article by Julie Watson titled, “Major hurdles remain to end homelessness of veterans.”  In 2009 there were approximately 75,609 homeless veterans.  According to Shinseki veterans make up 14% of the total US homeless population. 

The price of homelessness can be costly for taxpayers.  According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, emergency shelters, hospitalizations, incarceration, law enforcement resources, and medical services can be costly occurrences for municipal governments.  People experiencing homelessness can cause a significant financial burden on the criminal justice and health care industries.  People who experience homelessness tend to access the most expensive health care services. 

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius offered an insightful reminder into the challenges of ending homelessness in America.  In a report titled “Opening Doors – Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, 2010,” Sebelius said: “Homelessness cannot be solved by a single agency or organization, by a single level of government, or by a single sector.  Everyone should be reminded of the intricacies of homelessness as a policy area, and remember that preventing and ending homelessness will take real coordination, collaboration, and a constant exchange of ideas.”

Shinseki and the Obama administration should be credited for making eradicating homelessness a priority.  No one living in America should be left without a safe place to sleep at night.  It is within reach to eradicate homelessness in America.  There is enough wealth to achieve this goal.  If reasonable ideas and cooperation are applied to this problem, perhaps in the next decade we will have an America with less homelessness.