Why Do People Become Homeless?

There are many reasons why people become homeless. These include loss of employment, divorce, long-term illness. Others include domestic violence, substance abuse, institutional discharge and many other factors that make it difficult, if not impossible, for people to pay rent or make mortgage payments. Factors that contribute to homelessness include lack of affordable housing, lack of preventative services to keep people from losing their housing, and inadequate treatment programs for those suffering from substance abuse and mental illness. Can you imagine working two jobs and still not being able to afford housing?

She can.

Housing Shortage & Wage Gap

Though you may not always see homelessness where you live, there is a serious housing shortage in Mercer County. In our communities, we note an especially large gap between what people can earn and the actual cost of renting a home.*

Homes that were once affordable are now out of reach, leaving a huge pent-up demand . Housing the Vulnerable Report.

Thousands of our neighbors and family members live in extremely tight quarters, doubled- and tripled-up.

Many of us are a single paycheck or one family emergency away from homelessness. Out of Reach Report