What Are the most Common Causes of Homelessness?

While everyones situation is unique there are commonalities in the causes of homelessness. These include lack of affordable housing, domestic abuse, unemployment, low wages and health issues.

Lack of Affordable Housing

This is a huge issue in Austin. The cost of housing in Austin is not rising equal to wages so many people can’t afford to buy or rent. The City of Austin isn’t keeping up with the demand for affordable housing as well.  For those facing a need for affordable housing click here.

Domestic Abuse

According to the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty “for women in particular, domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness.” Women leave abusive relationships without a means of income and face homelessness. For women facing this situation there are local resources available for you and your children.

Unemployment

Most Americans are one paycheck away from transitional homelessness. One of the most common causes is unemployment. If you unexpectedly lose your job it can be hard to land on your feet and it takes time to get a new one. This can be made even more challenging without a steady place to live.

Low Wages

Another common cause of homelessness in the US is low wages. The minimum wage in the U.S. is set at $7.25 and is determined by the Fair Labor Standards Act. Considering the high rise in cost of living and home prices this is not a realistic wage to live on. While most states have state wages that are higher than the federal wage however Texas is not one of them.

Health Issues

The cost of health care in the US is a burden on many American families and is a catalyst for homelessness. This also includes mental health issues. Without affordable medical care or high income that can afford it health issues often cause people to lose their homes.