Posts tagged with "housing crisis"

Homelessness in America Reaches Record High – What it Means and Why We Should Care

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The number of homeless individuals in the United States has increased by a third during the Biden-Harris administration, despite steady economic growth since the end of the pandemic. This raises the question: why has economic growth not alleviated homelessness, and why are more Americans now at risk of losing their homes?

The State of Affordable Housing in the US: A Growing Crisis

The lack of affordable housing in the United States has reached a crisis point, affecting millions of Americans across the country. A recent Pew Research Center analysis highlights the severity of the issue, revealing that a significant portion of renters are cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs. This financial strain makes it difficult for families to afford other necessities like food, healthcare, and education.

Need-to-Knows and Takeaways:

    • A recent study has revealed that homelessness in the United States has reached an all-time high.
    • This crisis is not evenly distributed, with some states and cities experiencing a far greater impact than others.
    • Factors such as rising housing costs, economic instability, and a lack of affordable healthcare contribute to this complex issue.
    • The shortage of affordable housing is a widespread issue affecting both renters and potential homebuyers.
    • Rising housing costs and stagnant wages have contributed to the affordability crisis.
    • The lack of affordable housing has a ripple effect on other aspects of life, including education, healthcare, and economic mobility.

Homelessness is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors, including:

      • Rising housing costs
      • Economic instability
      • Lack of affordable healthcare
      • The number of cost-burdened renters has increased in recent years, putting a strain on household budgets.
      • The gap between housing costs and wages continues to widen, making it difficult for many Americans to afford a place to live.
      • The lack of affordable housing disproportionately affects low-income families, communities of color, and other vulnerable populations.

Some policy recommendations to address the homelessness crisis include:

      • Increased investment in affordable housing: This could include building new affordable housing units, providing subsidies or tax incentives to developers, and implementing rent control measures.
      • Expanded access to healthcare and mental health services: This could involve expanding Medicaid coverage, increasing funding for community health centers, and providing mental health services to those experiencing homelessness.
      • Stronger social safety nets: This could include increasing funding for programs like food stamps, unemployment insurance, and disability benefits.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 05: A man walks past a homeless encampment beneath an overpass on June 5, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The homeless population count in Los Angeles County leaped 12 percent in the past year to almost 59,000, according to officials. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Some potential challenges could include:

      • Funding: Securing sufficient funding for affordable housing programs, healthcare expansion, and social safety nets can be challenging, especially in times of economic downturn or budget constraints.
      • Political Will: There may be a lack of political will to address homelessness, especially if it is viewed as a personal failing rather than a systemic issue.
      • NIMBYism: “Not In My Backyard” attitudes can make it difficult to build affordable housing in certain neighborhoods, as residents may oppose it due to concerns about property values or safety.
      • Complexity of the Issue: Homelessness is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors, making it difficult to develop effective and comprehensive solutions.
      • Coordination: Coordinating efforts between different government agencies and service providers can be challenging, especially given the fragmented nature of the social safety net.

Implications for American Culture and Society:

The affordable housing crisis has far-reaching consequences for American culture and society. The rising rate of homelessness is a stark reflection of the growing inequality and economic hardship faced by many Americans. It challenges the notion of the American Dream and highlights the urgent need for a more compassionate and equitable society. The presence of large homeless populations in cities can also lead to social tensions and a sense of unease among residents. The inability to afford stable housing can lead to increased poverty, homelessness, and social instability. Furthermore, the lack of affordable housing can limit economic opportunities and perpetuate inequality.

Future of Housing and Human Rights:

The current homelessness crisis underscores the critical need for affordable housing and accessible support services for vulnerable populations. Addressing this issue will require a multifaceted approach, including increased investment in affordable housing, expanded access to healthcare and mental health services, and stronger social safety nets. The right to adequate housing is recognized as a fundamental human right, and the failure to address the homelessness crisis represents a significant violation of this right. It is imperative that policymakers and society as a whole work together to ensure that every American has a safe and stable place to call home.

Call to Action:

We cannot afford to ignore the growing homelessness crisis in America. It is a moral imperative that we take action to address this issue and ensure that every individual has access to the basic human right of housing. We must demand that our elected officials prioritize affordable housing and support services for those experiencing homelessness. We can also make a difference by supporting organizations working to combat homelessness and by advocating for policies that promote housing justice and human rights.

Jimmy Dore of The Jimmy Dore Show discusses the history of homelessness and the reasons why it remains a persistent issue in the U.S. with Food Not Bombs founder Keith McHenry. They explore why attempts to address homelessness have been largely unsuccessful.

Evictions, Housing, and Poverty in America: A Crisis Demanding Solutions

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“We’ve done a bunch of work at the Lab just trying to understand the prevalence of evictions, how many people are getting evicted and who they are, and what we see again and again in this research is it’s Black renters and especially Black women  … the rate of eviction for Black households is routinely twice that of white households, and in some cases, some parts of America, that disparity is even larger. ” – Peter S. Hepburn, Sociologist and Associate Director at Eviction Lab.

The eviction crisis in America is a pressing issue that disproportionately affects marginalized communities, particularly Black women. Recent data from Eviction Lab reveals a staggering number of eviction filings, painting a grim picture of housing instability across the nation. In just the past year, over 1 million eviction filings were recorded, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive solutions.

The on-going impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the eviction crisis, as millions faced job losses and financial hardships. While temporary federal, state, and local protections offered some relief, they were not enough to prevent a surge in evictions. The lack of affordable housing options and the rising cost of living have intensified the problem, leaving many vulnerable individuals and families at risk of homelessness.

Addressing this crisis requires a multi-faceted approach. First and foremost, increasing the supply of affordable housing is crucial. This can be achieved through targeted investments in housing development and preservation, as well as policies that incentivize the construction of affordable units. Additionally, rental assistance programs and eviction prevention measures must be strengthened to provide a safety net for those facing economic hardship.

Furthermore, efforts to address systemic discrimination in housing are essential. Black women, who are disproportionately impacted by evictions, often face discrimination in the rental market, limiting their housing choices and perpetuating cycles of poverty. Policies that promote fair housing practices and combat discrimination are vital for ensuring equal access to safe and affordable housing for all. The eviction crisis is not just a housing issue; it is a reflection of broader social and economic inequalities. By addressing the root causes of poverty and housing instability, we can create a more just and equitable society where everyone has a place to call home.

  • Peter Hepburn; Assistant Professor of Sociology, Rutgers University-Newark | Associate Director, The Eviction Lab, Princeton University | on X @ps_hepburn

Eviction Lab, using its Eviction Tracking System, has been tracking weekly eviction filings since March 2020 to monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated policies. In the 10 states and 36 cities the researchers track, landlords have filed for 1,087,297 evictions over the last 12 months and 88,876 evictions over the last month alone.

ePa had the opportunity to speak with Professor Hepburn about his work and the research of Eviction Lab and poverty in America. 

The Supreme Court And The Legalities of Homelessness

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The United States Supreme Court has ruled on a number of cases related to homelessness, including the legality of certain laws and policies that affect homeless individuals and families.

Here are some key takeaways from the Court’s decisions:

  • The Court has recognized that homelessness is a serious problem in the United States.
  • The Court has held that the government has a legitimate interest in addressing homelessness.
  • However, the Court has also recognized that homeless individuals have certain constitutional rights, including the right to due process and the right to equal protection under the law.
  • The Court has ruled that certain laws and policies that target homeless individuals are unconstitutional.
  • The Court has also ruled that the government has a responsibility to provide adequate shelter for homeless individuals in certain circumstances.

Here are some specific examples of the Court’s rulings (some forthcoming) on homelessness:

  • In Martin v. Boise (2019), the Court ruled that a city ordinance that prohibited individuals from sleeping in public places was unconstitutional.
  • The Flores Settlement Agreement (1997), which arose out of Flores v. Reno, a 1987 California case. the Court ruled that the government has a responsibility to provide adequate shelter for homeless families with children.
  • In Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson, the justices will decide whether cities and states can effectively criminalize homelessness by penalizing people for sleeping outdoors.

The Court’s rulings on homelessness have had a significant impact on the way that the government and society address this issue. The Court’s decisions have helped to protect the rights of homeless individuals and have ensured that the government provides adequate shelter for homeless families with children.

Today the housing issue is back in the national spotlight after the Supreme Court heard oral argument on Monday and as reported by SCOTUSBlog, “in a case that one legal expert has called the ‘most important Supreme Court case about homelessness in at least 40 years.’ The issue before the court is the constitutionality of ordinances in an Oregon town that bar people who are homeless from using blankets, pillows, or cardboard boxes for protection from the elements while sleeping within the city limits. Defending the ordinances, the city contends that the laws simply bar camping on public property by everyone. But the challengers in the case counter that the ordinances effectively make it a crime to be homeless in the city.”

Follow the latest development on the Supreme Court’s ruling on homelessness and the housing crisis HERE or at SCOTUSBlog.

The AP also reported, “The case started in the rural Oregon town of Grants Pass, which began fining people $295 for sleeping outside as the cost of housing escalated and tents sprung up in the city’s public parks. The San Francisco-based U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the law under its holding that banning camping in places without enough shelter beds amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.”

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 22: Homeless rights activists hold a rally outside of the U.S. Supreme Court on April 22, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Supreme Court heard oral argument in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson and Smith v. Spizzirri, a dispute over the constitutionality of ordinances that bar people who are homeless from camping on city streets. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)