State of Homelessness Report
The National Alliance to End Homelessness released a report in 2020 designed to give an overview of the state of homelessness in the United Stated. While Covid-19 has had a profound effect on the homeless population, an effect that has yet to be fully quantified, the data from the 2020 report gives us an understanding of the needs affecting our homeless friends.
Here are some of the key insights that we believe deserve attention:
First, homelessness tends to affect individuals more than families, though families are not immune. According to the report, “Seventy percent of people experiencing homelessness are individuals who are living on their own or in the company of other adults. The remainder (30 percent) are people in families with children.” In short, many of our homeless friends are on their own in many ways, making them further at risk.
Second, men are often more at risk than women. More than half of those experiencing homelessness are males. According to the report, “Homelessness is significantly defined by gender. Sixty percent of all people experiencing homelessness are male. Amongst individuals, the numbers are starker—70 percent are men and unaccompanied male youth.” Note that adult males are not the only ones affected. Male youth are also a big part of the homeless population in America.
According to the report, “Far too many people in America sleep outside and in other locations not meant for human habitation. This group includes more than 200,000 people (37 percent of the overall population). Among individuals experiencing homelessness, the numbers are more dire—1 in 2 are unsheltered.”
What can we learn from this?
Some of us have a particular face in mind when we think of the homeless population. Some of us remember a visible homeless person from our home town. Others, lacking real life context think of the “Pigeon Lady” in Home Alone 2. In any case, we all have a picture, albeit an incomplete one.
The truth is that thinking of someone specific is a good thing. Each of our homeless friends has their own unique struggle and their own unique needs. However, if we aren’t careful, we can miss the big picture of homelessness in America.
The fact that men, specifically single men make up such a large portion of the homeless population affects the type of temporary shelters needed. A lot of shelters are designed for families. This is wonderful, but it means that the biggest part of the population is under-served. The need for safe, temporary housing (and permanent housing) for men is a critical need that seldom fits the perceptions of those who are eager to help.
Further, the widespread need for temporary housing is profound. We are working to see more shelters in the Akron area, but the needs is much larger. Warmer weather makes the need seem less acute, but it is no less critical, especially for communities like ours that face such severe winters.
With that in mind, there are dangers and troubles even during the warmer months. Housing, both temporary and permanent is important all year round.
How Can We Help?
There are a variety of ways to engage and support. Some needs involve more commitment than others, but the reality is that anyone can help in a meaningful way at almost any level of involvement:
Prayer: We aren’t kidding. This is the first and most important need. Pray for our homeless friends to be well and to get into safe housing. Pray for us as we care for them and minister. Pray for Hope Farm, Inc. as we work to develop permanent housing for our homeless friends.
Action: We can always use help preparing meals. It is a lot of fun to work together and talk. This is an easy way to get involved and really help.
Support: We can always use financial support. The long term goal is to develop a community of small homes for our homeless friends to live their lives in while working with their hands. We welcome financial support both for the long-term goal and the weekly meals.
If you are interested in helping us out you can give online or contact us to volunteer at our “Take Action” page.
In the meantime, checkout the 2020 report on homelessness.
-Hope Farm
