Causes of homelessness

Homelessness is a complex problem. Factors leading to homelessness are complex and somewhat unique to each personal situation. It takes time and energy to get homeless people to trust you enough to discuss the events and conditions that resulted in their homelessness. There are usually a set of problems - some that can be the fault of the homeless person, some where the person is a victim of circumstances beyond their control, or a combination of both. (pdf version here)

1. Unstable family background — Abuse, neglect, lack of modeling a good work ethic, cooperation, mutual respect and socialization needed in today's collaborative work settings.

2. Neurological disease — Commonly called mental illness. A long, sad history of US states closing down mental hospitals without funding alternative housing and care. State laws allowing mental patients the right to refuse medication has made this situation worse. Studies show that 40% of America's chronically homeless people suffer from mental illness.

3. Substandard schools — Lack of opportunity for the development of academic skills, particularly in reading, math and English. Overcrowding leading to individualized attention.

4. Technological changes — The elimination of low-skill, manual labor traditional jobs and lack of re-training opportunities for hi-tech jobs.

5. Rapidly escalating residential rents — In many cities the "cool trend" of young professionals moving into older urban neighborhoods, fixing up old houses, has displaced many long-term low-income tenants, This is especially true in historically minority neighborhoods.

6. Failure to save in good times for the inevitable “rainy day” — In Ben Franklin's day, it was called thrift..."a penny saved is a penny earned". Middle-class Americans fare no better than low-income people when it comes to saving for emergencies.

7. Industrial shutdowns or relocation of jobs outside the US — Especially hard-hit are small towns in rural areas where there are few job alternatives. One sad example is Greenville, Michigan, population 8,000. Electrolux moved 2,200 jobs to Mexico, devastating the town.

8. Disintegration of the family — Many social work professors don't like to talk about it. Studies show that a child who grows up in a single-parent household is much more likely to live in poverty and to struggle with poverty throughout life.

9. Alcohol and drug addiction — Leads to job terminations, loss of driver's license, incarceration, dementia. For the mentally ill homeless, alcohol and drugs are often used to self-medicate their symptoms.

10. Racism / Discrimination — Learn the history of racism to better understand the struggle of so many oppressed Americans.

11. Lack of transportation / No public transit — To get to employment.

12. Generational dependence on charity or government welfare.

13. Chronic or acute medical conditions — Some go untreated.

14. Post-Traumatic stress disorder — Interference with concentration, anxiety which interfere with maintaining a job. Can result from experiencing things like domestic abuse or military combat.

15. Crime — Victims of financial fraud, assaults, robbery, threats and intimidation. Corrupt representative payees sometimes steal funds from the disabled people they are responsible for, especially senior citizens we are seeing more and more on the streets of America.

16. Social stigma / Income inequality — What does “lazy” actually mean in context. People often make excuses not to help because others “want” to be homeless. How many people do you know who want to be homeless? Many homeless people have jobs, but do not make enough to afford housing.

17. Debt traps / Predatory lending — This is a serious problem in the modern era. Many people have no other option, and can get stuck in an endless trap of debt and interest fees, never to rebound.

18. Inequitable community design — Car culture is part of the American way, but so is self-reliance. A community designed to be easy and pleasant to travel around has endless important benefits for residents who need to get around without a car. A poorly designed community can have negative effects on residents for generations.

How churches can help

1. Donate to/volunteer/partner with organizations such as Servants Center — Supporting their vital mission is an excellent investment of dedicated church funds and human resources. The organization is sustained by donations from churches, individuals, families, businesses and foundations. They do not take government funding. There are a variety of ways for churches and individuals to help.

2. Partnership suggestions — Partnering with other churches, groups and agencies that already have effective poverty programs can be a way to make the greatest impact. We highly recommend partnering in Grand Rapids with organizations such as: Servants Center, Mel Trotter Ministries, Guiding Light Mission, Hope Network, Degage' Ministries, Network 180, Exodus Place, Dwelling Place, Gleaners, and Feeding America.

3. Learn about poverty and how to truly help — Learn the causes and history of poverty in America through our Recommended Reading List. Talk with potential partners. Get out and listen to people’s stories. Find out how they need help. Review our curriculum at the bottom of this page and pre-order Pastor Tack’s upcoming book that includes discussion questions, program ideas, lesson plans and more, by contacting us here.

4. Create or improve your church’s poverty ministry — Christ implores Christians to help the poor. Whether small or large; urban, suburban or rural - effective poverty ministries are urgently needed. Does your church have dedicated funding in its annual budget for poverty assistance? Do your church’s poverty programs make its members feel good, but maybe don’t really help the intended? Things like knitting hats or passing out hot chocolate might seem nice at the time, but could that effort be transformed into truly meaningful help. Review your church’s poverty ministry effectiveness with the help of our Questions for Churches to Consider (pdf) and our Pastor/Church Questionnaire (pdf).

5. Poverty program ideas pdf version here — Partner with and financially support existing poverty programs and organizations / Use part of your church facilities as transitional housing or short-term shelter for homeless families (30-120 days) / Create an ongoing mobile food bank / Create protocol to make low income neighbors feel comfortable coming to your church activities / Dedicate funds to help the needy cover expenses like medicine, transportation, home maintenance, rent, utilities / Create or promote an existing job bank / Grow a community garden / Offer literacy and tutoring programs / Offer debt counseling and personal therapy / Provide scholarships and grants for low income students / Provide low cost or subsidized day care / Create a clothing exchange / Provide furnishings and housewares / Provide low or no-interest loans / Develop much needed affordable housing / Become a Trusted Friend

6. Teach others — Regularly include poverty topics in your activities, sermons and Bible study. Continually share your knowledge and the importance of effective poverty ministries. See our curriculum pdf’s below.

7. Reach out to young people — It’s no secret that church attendance is shrinking. Churches with programs to help the needy are more attractive to potential members. Young people today are looking for ways to make a positive difference.

8. Keep it going! — Churches with effective programs will not only honor the wishes of Jesus Christ, they’ll attract and keep church members who feel the Holy Spirit filling them with the joy that helping others brings.

Christian curriculum (pdf’s)

Pastor Questionnaire - 44 question poverty ministry survey

Questions for Churches to Consider - 20 questions for preparation

Causes of Homelessness - Poverty is a complex problem

Recommended Reading List - Learn causes and history of poverty

Poverty Ministry Program Ideas - Ways your church can help

Group Discussion Questions - Increase awareness, problem solve

5 Poverty Lesson Plans - Applicable to any church denomination