What do you think are the main causes of homelessness?

[Anonymous]

I think it's a mix of the state of the country and it's policies, Drug and Mental Health crisises, and the rising cost of living; not to mention inflation!

Sub question: Do you think it will increase, decrease or stay the same?

[EricJonesAB]

I haven't been homeless so far, but I used to work some night jobs and I would see a lot of people sleeping by bank machines and in post offices trying to get warm. The majority of them had major alcohol and drug problems that possibly stemmed from the environment they grew up in, and maybe a lack of opportunity or encouragement to get a better life. When you grow up in a home with parents that are alcoholics or on drugs it's a difficult way to start out and can probably lead to problems.

[es20490446e]

I think it's always because of oneself.

If you are an useful person, it's very improbable you will see yourself without a roof.

Maybe without the best roof, or the best job. But homeless, come on.

[Izzy_3991]

Drugs and mental illnesses are huge issues that cause homelessness.
And drugs may cause mental illnesses. There needs to be a crackdown on drugs and more mental health facilities. The governments of the world need to create more jobs and houses. That is the immediate solution. However, there is a bigger picture happening behind the scenes. I don't think many people would believe it but studies have shown it. Broken homes. Everything starts from childhood

[Asker]

Do you think being a socialist (or communist. And nah, I don't think of that as a bad thing) country instead of capitalist one would help? What do you think? I spoke to my dad once about it but he doesn't think so because he says that people who work "hard" for their money DESERVE it, while the lazy bums don't. I mean, putting it simply, that made sense but some people WORK HARD but don't get to rise simply because of where they live (cycle of poverty) or the opportunities afforded to them were limited! You can also work hard but not smart but sometimes, because of what race you are, were you grew up (in poverty of not for example), get be a high barrier to overcome!

[Asker]

Can be I mean.

[Izzy_3991]

In my opinion and personal observation, homeless people are either mentally ill, on drugs or fleeing violence.
I think a lot of homeless people came from a broken home, never loved, and were abused. Drugs in the home were a common occurrence too.
I recall watching a man, many years ago, talk about where the future generations will come from. He concluded that decent, drug-free, loving people, etc won't have children as often and, due to this fact, the bad people will have more children. The results are already been seen.
Working for a living does (usually) help your situation, however, being mentally ill or drug dependent isn't a good thing and, as a result, the individual will lose their job.

[Asker]

It's definitely sad because I have actually gone out with someone who didn't USE to be homeless, but now is due to his mental health and drug addictions. He was even a lawyer at one point and (at least in my opinion), was quite smart. Anyway, yeah, I agree that they often go hand in hand and one feeds into the other. Given that though, at the end of the day, I can only control MY side of the relationship, never the other person's.

[purplepoppy]

Pride and self reliance. People are taught they have to be self reliant and it's shameful to ask for help. This mindset also means they oppose helping other people or policies that do so.
That works up to a point, and I do think we have a responsibility to look after ourselves. But if shit really goes wrong it's better to get help before you fall to far to get back up again.
Similarly if society doesn't catch people before they fall they loose them as a resource and they become a burden.

[LaineyLuiza]

I dont who said it but you can help people with benefits or you can have unlimited migration, but you cannot have both. People are homeless because all the money is spent on panhandling migrants.

[SpringValley]

99.999% drugs. Kill all drug dealers.

[jayhams]

Mental illness