Homelessness isn’t a problem isolated to other countries or states. Take a stroll through downtown Minneapolis, and you’ll meet people currently experiencing the struggle and uncertainty of homelessness.

But that’s just what we can see.

From 2015 to 2018, the population of people without homes increased in Minnesota.

To understand how we can end the issue, we must understand why people become homeless. The National Alliance to End Homelessness gives five major causes: lack of housing, low incomes, health problems, domestic violence and racial inequality.

Over time, housing costs have increased but incomes have remained the same. Unable to keep up with rising rents, more people become homeless and can’t find affordable housing.

Faced with a similar problem in the 1970s, someone who had lost housing would have been able to find another affordable place. The amount of these low-cost housing options has decreased significantly over the past fifty years, with rents rising and wages staying the same.

Today, low-income households live on the edge of homelessness because half of the income is going toward housing. These households may face unemployment or underemployment due to the competitive job market, limited education, criminal record, lack of transportation, poor health, or disability.

Health problems can cause and be worsened by homelessness. If a person’s health becomes disabling, maintaining stable housing is often too difficult to do without assistance.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found that people in homeless shelters are more than two times as likely to have a disability in contrast to the general population. Some conditions, like diabetes, heart disease and HIV/AIDS, are three to six times as likely to be found in the homeless population.

The national crisis of opioid abuse is particularly felt by the homeless, with substance use disorders being a known risk factor for homelessness. For those suffering from these disorders, treatment isn’t an option because they don’t have insurance or the ability to engage with health care providers.

Sometimes, an individual or family will become homeless because it’s the safer alternative. Domestic violence survivors may look to homeless service programs for a safe place after escaping an abusive relationship.

Of the homeless population, a disproportionate number is made up by minorities. This disparity is evident in the high rates of homelessness among the African American community.

Since the founding of our country, African Americans have faced systematic discrimination. The effects of being denied equal rights and opportunities are still seen in housing, criminal justice and health care. These disparities are risk factors for homelessness.

The solution to homelessness is complex, but three approaches help alleviate the issue: housing, empowerment and support.

The first step in attacking the problem is by providing those in need with shelter. Once an individual has stability once again, that person can then focus on other issues like employment and health.

Housing strategies include rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing, and the Housing Choice Voucher Program.

Rapid re-housing quickly connects people with short-term rental assistance and other services aimed at increasing self-sufficiency.

Permanent supportive housing aims to help those facing chronic homelessness, using long-term housing, case management and supportive services.

The Housing Choice Voucher Program, a type of federal housing assistance, gives vouchers to help low-income households pay for housing in the private market. However, only 25 percent of eligible households actually receive it due to a lack of funds.

To prevent people from needing these programs in the first place, an increased supply of affordable housing would target the problem where it begins.

Once people have a stable foundation to work from, they are able to focus on other issues in their lives and give them more choices for their futures. Empowerment strategies include job seeker assistance, life skills training and education.

Using these resources as a starting point, people can increase their income and once again find self-sufficient stability. Job training and placement programs help with this by providing the tools needed to achieve stable and long-term employment.

Support from organizations that provide shelter, clothing or mental health resources eases the pressure of becoming self-sufficient right away.

To connect people with the services they need, some communities have incorporated a coordinated entry process that quickly identifies, assesses and refers at-risk people to housing and assistance.

Every person deserves a place to live, and communities need to come together to keep the homelessness rate from increasing.

Kayla Mayer can be reached at maye8518@stthomas.edu.