The Context

• Race and ethnicity: African Americans are significantly overrepresented among persons experiencing homelessness, accounting for 41% of the homeless population while constituting only 13% of the U.S. population (NCBI)

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• Mental health: Many of the stories touched on themes of mental illness. Overall, 25% of people experiencing homelessness live with a serious mental illness. And yet, it’s worth noting that mental illness is not the primary cause of homelessness. Several studies have shown that individuals with mental illnesses often find themselves homeless primarily as the result of poverty and a lack of low-income housing. Homelessness itself is a traumatic experience that can cause poorer mental health outcomes and exacerbate existing mental illness (Brain and Behavior Research Foundation)

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• Substance abuse: Justina's story mentioned substance abuse. Just as the relationship between mental health and homelessness is complex, so is the relationship between substance abuse and homelessness. Substance abuse often leads to homelessness (National Coalition for the Homeless), and yet, even for those who don’t previously use substances the experience of homelessness may cause people to turn to substances for relief (National Coalition for the Homeless).

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• Health problems/sickness: Almost all the Mercy House residents interviewed mentioned health complications as part of their story - this is no coincidence. The average life expectancy of people experiencing homeless is 50 years - less than 20 years of their housed counterparts (National Coalition for the Homeless). While many people experiencing homelessness have health conditions preceding homelessness (childhood trauma, toxic stress, mental illness, and substance abuse being significant factors), homelessness increases the risk of developing health problems and those who experience homelessness have higher rates of cardiovascular disease, asthma, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and cancer. Homelessness also makes it extremely difficult to access high-quality, consistent healthcare, resulting in many homeless individuals utilizing hospital emergency rooms and having extended hospital stays when they face a health crisis. 

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• Unemployment/jobs: Popular media has perpetuated the narrative of the lazy, homeless panhandler. This is not reflective of reality. Despite the fact that Kristian was employed, he too became homeless. “A significant portion of homeless people do have jobs—they just cannot afford to pay rent. Some receive disability income due to physical or mental problems but still cannot afford rent” (NYU). Many people experiencing homelessness try very hard to get a job but face challenges including not having clean clothes, having no address, as well as the stigma of being homeless. 

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• Violence: Justina’s story mentions both jail and being a victim of domestic abuse. There’s a common misconception that homeless people are violent criminals. This could not be further from the truth. Homeless persons are far more likely to be the victims of violence than the perpetrators (NYU). 

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• High housing prices: One of the largest causal factors to homelessness is simply high housing prices. Although Ann Arbor has low poverty rates and a fairly wealthy population, rising housing costs and the shortage of affordable housing means many residents are simply “priced out” of housing.

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• Evictions: Kristian’s story mentioned how eviction played a role in him becoming homeless and later, struggling to find housing. Unfortunately, Kristian’s experience is an everyday reality for many Americans: in the U.S., 7 evictions are filed every minute (Aspen Institute). While eviction is widespread, tenants overwhelmingly lack proper legal representation - in Washtenaw County, only 2.3% of tenants were represented by an attorney in eviction cases (University of Michigan). Evictions stay on one’s record for 7 years, preventing many from being able to attain affordable housing in safe neighborhoods. Beyond losing their home, eviction has other dire consequences, including: loss of possessions, being removed from one's community, unemployment, and depression (Eviction LAB).

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