For many of us, returning home after putting in our eight hours at work or coming back from a much-anticipated vacation is normal. It is expected. Anything less would almost seem unimaginable. But that is not the case for thousands of Americans.
According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) 2022 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR), roughly 582,500 people were experiencing homelessness in the U.S. on a given night. There has been an increase in unhoused persons in recent years that has been attributed to factors such as the rising costs of housing, lack of accessible mental healthcare and the end of COVID-19 aid.
To get a deeper perspective of the housing issue, it is helpful to understand the cost of housing in relation to the average American’s income. The most recent figures from the Social Security Administration report the national average wage index for 2022 was $63,795.13. The National Association of Realtors’ most recent report states the average mortgage payment in the U.S. is $2,317. So, using the average mortgage payment and income figures, let’s calculate a front-end debt-to-income ratio.
This ratio is standard when determining a person’s qualifications for home ownership as it shows what percentage of a person’s income will be used for housing expenses. To calculate it, divide your mortgage payment by your monthly pre-tax pay and multiply the result by 100. For example, an individual with mortgage expenses and income that both equal the national average would be spending 43.59% of their wages on mortgage payments.
Even for renters, the situation is not much better as average monthly rent prices currently sit at $1,536 for a 699 sq. ft. apartment. In addition to housing costs, groceries, utilities, healthcare, childcare and other common household expenses that have also seen increases must be accounted for. If one were to face hardship like unemployment or sickness, becoming homeless is unfortunately a very real possibility.
Of course, homelessness is a complex issue. Many people experiencing homelessness also live with serious mental illness or substance abuse issues.
In November 2023, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration noted key findings from the 2022 AHAR to highlight 21% of individuals experiencing homelessness reported having a serious mental illness and 16% reported having a substance use disorder.
National discussions around homelessness and related issues have come to the forefront more in recent months in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in June that outdoor sleeping bans do not violate the Eighth Amendment. The ruling came in response to different local and state governments in the Western U.S. proceeding with court cases, such as Grants Pass vs. Johnson, to figure out how to handle the homelessness crisis amidst concerns about the dangers of outdoor camps to public safety.
Proponents of such legislation argue homeless encampments pose a threat to public safety as they can crowd parks and other public spaces. Advocates for unhoused persons counter-argue banning the camps constitutes cruel and unusual punishment as many people experiencing homelessness are involuntarily in that position.
When one looks at this issue through the lens of all these challenges, it’s easy to ask, “Well, what should we do?”
I found myself asking that very question and decided to see what was being done right in my home state of North Carolina. According to HUD’s 2022 Continuum of Care report, between 2020 and 2022, the number of North Carolinians experiencing unsheltered homelessness rose from 2,558 to 3,625. This uptick is concerning, to say the least.
I had the privilege to talk with Shackle Free Community Outreach, a nonprofit based in Warsaw, N.C., that serves the frontlines of the homeless crisis in eastern North Carolina and addresses holistic ways to lift people out of difficult circumstances.
“We get people from right here in Warsaw,” said Glendora Boney, Chief Senior Officer and Front Office Manager for Shackle Free. “We also see people from neighboring counties who end up here for different reasons. Some have gone through abuse and are leaving a domestic violence situation. Some have disabilities and severe mental illness and have problems gaining steady employment. Others have criminal records and have barriers to housing and employment. Whatever it might be, we work with them to get the right help.”
Boney went more into the demographics of the population they regularly see. Many are over 50 and have few resources or family and community support. Shackle Free also sees young women fleeing cycles of domestic violence and substance abuse who are looking for a safe place. There are also young families, so meeting the needs of children adds another critical layer to providing adequate services.
“We direct people to resources so they can access transitional housing,” said Boney. “Many people get things wrong about homelessness. They believe people should get a job first and that will solve the issue. But how can you hold down a job with no proper place to rest, bathe and do laundry? Those are things we take for granted every day, but for people who are unhoused, these necessities are a daily struggle.”
Shackle Free operates through the framework of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which states baseline physiological needs like food and shelter must be met before people can attend to higher ones like health, employment and social ability.
“Once we get them into housing, then we work with them to gain employment or apply for Social Security, if applicable,” stated Boney. “We also work with them to get connected to other vital services in the community such as health screenings. And if they have children, then ensuring the children have a safe place to stay and access to stable food and education is at the top of our list. The goal is to get each person to a place of sustainability.”
I had the chance to tour their facility. Shackle Free prepares kits with basic necessities including nonperishable food, toiletries and COVID-19 tests to give to unhoused persons. They also have a community pantry open to anyone in need to come in during office hours to pick up nonperishable food, meats, toiletries, clothing, walkers and children’s toys and books. Shackle Free also has community partnerships with local government agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services, other nonprofits and churches to provide a whole network of services for those in need.
“Many people are not homeless but are just a paycheck or two away from it,” said Boney. “We need to be mindful of that in our interactions with people experiencing homelessness.”
When I discussed recent legislation regarding homelessness with Boney, she urged elected officials to approach the issue with pragmatism and empathy.
“If our leaders are going to decide things like to make homeless camps illegal, then what is their alternative,” said Boney. “We need solutions more than anything else. So, I ask them to join organizations like ours to start making them.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, dial 211 or visit 211.org to find services and resources in your community.
Featured image: Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
Edited by James Sutton and Kester Kafeero
