Running Head: Contributing Factors of Homelessness

Contributing Factors of Homelessness

Natasha Powell
Norfolk State University

Contributing Factors of Homelessness

Abstract
The research problem motivating this study is the lack of knowledge regarding the factors that
contribute to homelessness in America. The purpose of this study is to provide knowledge of the
contributing factors of homelessness in America. What are the factors that contribute to
homelessness in America? Are there certain people who are at a higher risk of being homeless?
Are there certain risk factors that will contribute to homelessness?

Contributing Factors of Homelessness

Between 1985 and 1990, it was estimated that 8.5 million Americans had been homeless
(Rosenheck, 1994). Homelessness originally came into light during the early 1980s and was
viewed as a tragic but temporary abnormality that was only affecting members of the population
that were considered vulnerable (Rosenheck, 1994). The recession of 1982 to 1983 caused a rise
in unemployment and was expected to be short term, being resolved by the next upward turn of
the business cycle (Rosenheck, 1994). According to Rosenheck, during the late 1980s, the United
States experienced the longest period of economic growth but homelessness did not disappear. It
is has been estimated that there are 3.5 million Americans in any given year experiencing
homelessness (Shelton, Taylor, Bonner, van den Bree, 2009). Study after study shed light that
many homeless people were mentally ill, suffered drug abuse, and severe social isolation
(Rosenheck, 1994).
Another study noted by Rosenheck, is one by Link and his colleagues. This study was to
eliminate the perception that homelessness was limited in reach. Link and his colleagues
conducted telephone surveys and estimated that 7.4% (13.5 million) adult Americans had
experienced literal (street and shelter) homelessness during the course of their lives and 3.1%
(5.7 million) adult Americans experienced it during 1985 and 1990 (Rosenheck, 1994). The
study also uncovered that the occurrence of homelessness would be no greater among Blacks
than Whites or with urban than the rural population (Rosenheck, 1994).
Literature Review
Contributing Factors of Homelessness
According to Aratani, homelessness leads to lack of the basic human needs and other lack
of needs such as hunger is a result of poverty and economic security, factors that contribute to

Contributing Factors of Homelessness

homelessness vary. The factors can include lack of affordable housing, economic insecurity,
violence at home, behavioral health, and involvement in the child welfare system (Aratani,
2009).
Lack of affordable housing. From 1993 to 2003, low cost rental units decreased by 13
percent due to the loss of older lower quality apartments in the private market (Aratani, 2009).
Aratani states that in 2005, an estimated 40 percent of households with children with ages
ranging from birth through 17 had one or more the following housing problems: physically
inadequate housing, crowded housing, or the associated cost burden. It is considered a cost
burden if a household pays more than 30 percent of their annual income on housing (Aratani,
2009). There was a decrease in the percentage of households that reported physically inadequate
housing or crowded housing between 1978 and 2005, however in 2005, 34 percent of families
reported a cost burden with rent expenses greater than 30 percent of their income (Aratani,
2009). Only 15 percent of families reported a cost burden in 1978 (Aratani, 2009). The number
of households with children who reported severe housing problems in 1978 (8 percent)
increased to 13.8 percent in 2005 (Aratani, 2009).
Economic insecurity. According to Aratani, in 2005, more than 60 percent of families
whose income was less than 30 percent of the HUD adjusted area median, was paying more than
half of their income for rent, and around the same percentage was living in severely inadequate
housing. The number of homelessness will probably increase due to lack of affordable rental
housing and the recession of 2007 (Aratani, 2009). Instances of homeless families with children
occurred more than 80 percent when the household is headed by a female and 54 percent of
children in low-income families live with a single parent (Aratani, 2009).

Contributing Factors of Homelessness

Violence at home. A disparate number of the homeless have reported experiences of

childhood difficulties which could include poor relationships with parents, neglect, physical and
sexual abuse, and being forced or place out of their home (Shelton, et al 2009). One study has
shown that around 50 percent of homeless or runaway children have experienced physical abuse
and about one-third has experienced sexual abuse (Shelton, et al 2009). Greater than 80 percent
of homeless mothers have previously reported an experience with domestic violence (Aratani,
2009). Aratani states that violence at home is one of the major forecasters of whether children
will experience homelessness.
Behavioral health. The experiences of physical and sexual abuse can contribute to the
risk of mental health problems currently and later on in life (Shelton et al 2009). It is concluded
that behavioral health problems is an indication of youth running away from home or becoming
homeless (Aratani, 2009). Youth who are out on the streets by themselves are more likely to be
depressed and to suffer from mental illness and substance abuse than youth who are housed
(Aratani, 2009).
Involvement in the child welfare system. Children in foster care are at a higher risk of
being homeless (Aratani, 2009). According to Aratani, 49 percent of children in foster care report
a history of running away. It is further stated that research has indicated that between 14 and 50
percent of foster youth has experienced homelessness.
There seem to be many contributing factors of homelessness in America. There also
seems to be risk factors that would dictate homelessness such as violence in the home, mental
illness, economic insecurity, and many others. Once begin to understand why these risk factors
are predictors of homelessness then we can begin to remove obstacles to decrease the number of
homelessness in America.

Contributing Factors of Homelessness

References
Rosenheck, R. (1994). Homelessness in America. American Journal of Public Health, 84(12),
1885-1886. Retrieved October 19, 2015, from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1615377/pdf/amjph00463-0015.pdf
Phelan, J., & Link, B. (1999). Who Are "the Homeless"? Reconsidering the Stability and
Composition of the Homeless Population. American Journal of Public Health, 1334-1338.
Retrieved October 18, 2015, from
http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.89.9.1334
Shelton, K., Taylor, P., Bonner, A., & Van den Bree, M. (2009). Risk Factors for the
Homelessness: Evidence From a Population-Based Study.Psychiatric Services, 60(4), 465-472.
Retrieved October 19, 2015, from
http://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/pdf/10.1176/ps.2009.60.4.465
Aratani, Y. (2009, September 1). Homeless Children and Youth. Retrieved October 19, 2015,
from http://hdl.handle.net/10022/AC:P:8879

Contributing Factors of Homelessness

Contributing Factors of Homelessness