A Pervasive Disease: The Effects of Homelessness

By Enya Gu, Harbor Care’s Student Leader Intern

It is easy to overlook things that have always been there. For some of us, it is hard to imagine not having a roof over our heads or going to sleep at night not knowing if you can return to the same place tomorrow. For others, it is simply reality. The challenges that people suffering from homelessness face can significantly hinder their lives. Lack of consistent housing can not only harm someone’ s physical wellbeing but their mental health as well. 

People suffering from mental illness experience even more barriers when searching for housing.

In America, over 500,000 people were experiencing homelessness. As pandemic forced shelters to shut down, about half that number were living without shelter last December, meaning they were forced to sleep outside, be it in tents, on benches, or on crates. Those living without shelter must brave the elements and sleep wherever they can, which could potentially damage their health (even long-term).  

Health effects aren’t limited to those without shelter; anyone without permanent housing faces severe challenges when it comes to their well-being. There are high rates of HIV infection, tuberculosis, diabetes, and more for those facing homelessness. Additionally, those that are homeless usually lack access to healthcare services, food, and other resources. Many that are homeless will not be able to seek help for their health problems, which in turn exacerbates their condition. When people do not even have access to a room they can return to every night, it is hard to imagine getting treatment or medications when they have more pressing issues to worry about. 

Mental health is also a large issue for those facing homelessness. There are high rates of substance abuse and mental illness within the homeless population; over 10% of those that seek treatment for the aforementioned issues in the public health system are homeless. The link between mental health and homelessness is quite strong, as those who are experiencing substance abuse or mental illness are more likely to deteriorate physically and live in dangerous conditions, which may cause them to become homeless. About 20% of all homeless people in 2017 reported having serious mental illness. People suffering from mental illness experience even more barriers when searching for housing because of a combination of stigma, income deficits, and need for community services. 

Homelessness is an issue that can negatively impact someone’s life drastically. Thankfully, there are several community resources that are available to help those facing homelessness in the state. Harbor Care features various programs, such as the Homeless Outreach Program (HOP) and Veterans FIRST, that are focused on helping members of the community obtain stable housing as well as assist with getting individuals the medical attention they need. While homelessness is a crisis that will need time to solve, communities and local organizations can make great strides in doing so. 

For more information on Harbor Care’s many programs and services, please visit our website today.