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Housing problems can cause homelessness.

Quotes

"Yet Programs to help people stay housed are underfunded, scattered across different agencies and difficult to access".

"... barely a third of people surveyed who lost their housing were leaseholder".

"An estimated 500,000 tenants in the country are severely burdened by rent, meaning they spent half their income on housing".

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California housing advocates and lawmakers say more affordable housing and increases instate and federal funding would address the state's homelessness crisis. But some disagree on the underlying causes the state should be focusing on.

"We have an emergency that we have created by allowing for very tunnel vision, selfish" policy, state Sen. Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat, said today at the CalMatters Ideas Festival.

Wiener and other panelists, in a discussion moderated by CalMatters homelessness reporter Marisa Kendall, discussed the consequences of clearing homeless encampments - particularly in light of a case before the U.S. Supreme Court that could make it legal for municipalities to criminalize camping in public.

Alex Visotzky, senior California policy fellow at the National Alliance to End Homelessness, said people experiencing homelessness need access to affordable housing and rental subsidies - not tougher restrictions.

"Are we doing this because it is the solution to homelessness, or are we doing it because our instincts are to punish people who are in poverty for their poverty?" Visotzky said. "Our instincts are to build on all the racism that's been baked into our housing system for centuries."

Robynne Rose-Haymer, vice president of Capitol Impact, serves as a "lived expertise" advisory board representative for the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative and has experienced homelessness. She said that many residents are hesitant to leave encampments because they find community there.

"Those are their friends," she said. "Those are their neighbors. This is the community that they know where the services are. They understand the bus routes and they know how to get to the places that they need. So by rooting people out forcibly, it does nothing to build trust. In fact, it harms the very services that we are paying billions of dollars to stand up."

The most recent statewide count tallied more than 181,000 unhoused Californians last year - 28% of the national total and up nearly 40% from five years ago.

More recent local counts have yielded mixed results. Sacramento County's released Tuesday found that the county's unhoused population dropped 29% in the last two years and the unsheltered population, which includes people who live in vehicles, dropped 41%. But in Contra Costa County, the unhoused population increased by 19%.

California has been focusing money and attention on homeless people struggling with mental health and substance abuse. Some lawmakers want to depart from the state's longstanding "housing first" approach, which requires shelters to accept people regardless of their alcohol and drug use, and allow state money to go to shelters with "sober housing."

But Margot Kushel - professor of medicine at UCSF and director of the Benioff homelessness initiative - said that housing should be offered first, then voluntary treatment, to get homeless people off the streets.

"We know how to treat people, you have to start, though, with the housing," she said.

Rose-Haymer said it is important to also address the systemic issues that contribute to homelessness.

"These are solvable problems if we fix the systems that feed the actual issue," she said. "I would encourage us to not think about how do we build more housing and ignore workforce development, or how do we solve the zoning problem and not think about the educational institutions that are qualifying people for workforce development?"

In response to Gov. Gavin Newsom's proposed budget cuts to homelessness and housing programs, including $1 billion to local governments, Wiener said it is a high priority for the Senate and the Assembly to keep that funding intact, despite the $28 billion budget shortfall.

"I can never guarantee success," Wiener said, but Newsom doesn't philosophically oppose more money for housing. "It's just how to rebalance the budget this year."

Visotzky countered that the state has failed to make ongoing commitments to fund housing, which he said is necessary to meet the needs of unhoused individuals.

"It's hard to imagine that our schools would be successful at educating our kids if they had to come hat in hand to Sacramento every year to say, 'Hey, we need money to keep our doors open,'" he said. "But that's basically what we ask our social service agencies that work with folks experiencing homelessness to do."

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How best to reduce California homelessness?

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A panel at the CalMatters Ideas Festival debates how to reduce California homelessness without punishing poverty.

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Homelessness and Addiction - Addiction Center

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Homelessness and addiction are closely connected, with homelessness contributing to substance abuse and substance abuse contributing to homelessness.

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Employed and Experiencing Homelessness: What the Numbers Show

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The truth is that many do – in fact, a 2021 study from the University of Chicago estimates that 53% of people living in homeless shelters and 40% of unsheltered people were employed, either full or part-time, in the year […]

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Housing and Homelessness Programs

The Housing and Homelessness Division (HHD) is within the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). The Division is responsible for program development and oversight of statewide housing programs funded by the CDSS. The Division also serves as a statewide technical assistance provider to all of California's social services agencies. The Division aims to streamline services on both the local and statewide level to promote equal access to safe and affordable housing for all Californians.

Our programs are administered/operated at the local level. To learn more about accessing housing and homeless services in your community, please contact the local Homeless Continuum of Care or County Welfare Department.

The purpose of Project Roomkey is to provide non-congregate sheltering for people experiencing homelessness, to protect human life, and minimize strain on health care system capacity.

The CalWORKs Housing Support Program (HSP) fosters housing stability for families experiencing homelessness. HSP assists homeless CalWORKs families in obtaining permanent housing and can provide temporary shelter, help with moving costs, short to medium-term rental subsidies, and wraparound case management.

The CalWORKs Homeless Assistance (HA) Program aims to help CalWORKs families meet the reasonable costs of securing housing. The CalWORKs HA program serves eligible CalWORKs recipients, or apparently eligible CalWORKs applicants, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. CalWORKs HA can provide payments for temporary shelter for up to 16 cumulative calendar days, as well as payments to secure or maintain housing, including a security deposit and last month's rent, or up to two months of rent arrearages.

The Bringing Families Home (BFH) program helps reduce the number of families in the child welfare system experiencing homelessness, increase family reunification, and prevent foster care placements. BFH serves homeless families involved with the child welfare system and is designed to offer housing supports in order for families to successfully reunify.

The Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) assists homeless and disabled individuals apply for disability benefit programs, while also providing housing support. The HDAP requires that participating counties offer outreach, case management, benefits advocacy, and housing supports to all program participants.

The Home Safe Program supports the safety and housing stability of individuals involved in Adult Protective Services (APS) who are experiencing, or at imminent risk of experiencing, homelessness due to elder or dependent adult abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation by providing housing-related assistance using evidence-based practices for homeless assistance and prevention.

The CCE program was established by Assembly Bill No. 172 (Chapter 69, Statutes of 2021) and will provide $805 million in funding for acquisition, construction, and rehabilitation to preserve and expand adult and senior care facilities that serve SSI/SSP and Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) applicants and recipients, including those who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.

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The Housing and Homelessness Division (HHD) is within the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). The Division is responsible for program development and oversight of statewide housing programs funded by the CDSS. The Division also serves as a statewide technical assistance provider to all of California's social services agencies.

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Seeking treatment can be beneficial for those who are homeless and struggling with substance use disorders. However, many people who are homeless don't know where to turn for help when they're struggling with substance abuse issues. Or, they may not feel that they have the resources to get help. If you or someone you care about is struggling with homelessness and addiction, you may benefit from learning more about substance abuse, homelessness, and the treatment options available to those who are struggling with both complications.

Homelessness & Addiction

According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, substance abuse is more prevalent in people who are homeless than in those who are not. ¹ In many instances, substance abuse is the result of the stress of homelessness, rather than the other way around. Many people begin using drugs or alcohol as a way of coping with the pressures of homelessness. ¹

It can be more challenging for people who are homeless to stop using substances, because they may not have easy access to treatment, often have smaller social support networks, may have decreased motivation to quit drugs or alcohol, and may have other, higher priorities, such as finding housing or food. ¹

Statistics on Homelessness & Addiction

Current and accurate rates on the coexistence of homelessness and addiction can be difficult to determine due to the nature of these two conditions. 2 p.1 prevalence Generally speaking, available statistics indicate that rates of addiction are higher in people who are homeless. ²

The 2020 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress (AHAR) reports that on a single night in 2020, 580,000 people experienced homelessness in the U.S.³

According to the 2013 AHAR, 257,000 people who were homeless had a severe mental illness or a chronic substance abuse issue.²

The 2015 AHAR reports that more than half of adults living in permanent supportive housing (an intervention that provides affordable housing to chronically homeless people) had a mental health disorder or a co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) points out that people who are homeless have a high risk of overdose from illicit substances.3 One study found that homeless people had a higher risk of opioid overdose, with an adjusted risk rate of 1.8% for homeless vs. 0.3% for low-income people who had housing.⁵

Most research shows that around 1/3 of people who are homeless have problems with alcohol and/or drugs, and around 2/3 of these people have lifetime histories of drug or alcohol use disorders.⁶

According to SAMHSA, 38% of homeless people abused alcohol while 26% abused other drugs.²

A 2014 report from the United States Conference of Mayors indicates that substance abuse was one of the top three causes of homelessness in single people as well as families.²

Causes & Risk Factors for Substance Abuse in Homeless Populations

Many causes and risk factors can influence the development of substance abuse in people who are homeless, such as: 2,3

Self-medication. People may use substances to receive relief from their stresses and problems.

A lack of social support. People may have little to no contact with families and friends.

One report indicates that trauma was a factor for 68% of men and 76% of women who were homeless and in treatment for substance abuse.

Co-occurring physical health conditions. HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, cardiovascular conditions, dental problems, asthma, diabetes, and other medical problems have been reported to be more prevalent in people who are homeless and have substance use disorders.

Social acceptance and easy access to substances. One report indicates a greater level of acceptance of substance use in the homeless community. Substances may also be more easily available in homeless communities.

Untreated mental illness. Substance abuse commonly co-occurs with mental illness (known as co-occurring mental health disorders), as people with mental illnesses may self-medicate to obtain symptom relief. Homeless people with mental illness and substance abuse issues also often encounter additional stressors, such as the increased risk of violence and victimization, which can fuel the cycle of addiction and act as barriers to recovery.

Treatment Options for Those Who are Homeless

The cost of rehab and a lack of accessible treatment programs for homeless people can prevent them from seeking treatment. Even when people who are homeless are motivated to seek help, they may struggle to find treatment programs that will accept them, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless. ²

However, there are ways to address these common barriers to treatment and make help more accessible to people struggling with substance abuse and homelessness. Since housing is a primary concern, government-funded rehab options like Housing First address a person's housing issues first, and then offer a personal choice as to whether the person wants to address their mental health and substance abuse issues afterwards. ⁶ Another model of assistance for those struggling with homelessness and a substance use disorder is known as a linear approach, which aims to address the importance of obtaining abstinence as a way of eventually obtaining permanent housing. ⁶ Studies have shown different benefits for both options. ⁶

People who are homeless can also participate in state-funded rehab options. These state-funded rehabs receive grants from SAMHSA, which administers two types of block grants: the Community Mental Health Block Grants (MHBGs) and the Substance Abuse Block Grants (SABGs). These grants are designed to provide funding so people without health insurance or other resources can obtain specialty mental health or substance use services. ⁷

Rehabs that accept Medicaid or Medicare can also be potential options. With the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), some states have increased efforts to enroll people who are homeless and in need of substance abuse treatment in Medicaid, a government-sponsored health program for low-income people. ⁷ Medicare is a federal program that is designed for anyone over 65, regardless of income. You can read more about how to apply for these programs here.

Potential treatment options for homeless people can include: ²

Detox, which helps a person safely withdraw from substances and become medically stable.

Outpatient treatment, which means living offsite, such as in a shelter or supportive housing, and traveling to rehab for treatment

Inpatient treatment, which means living onsite for the duration of treatment.

How to Help a Homeless Person Struggling with Addiction

If you know someone who is homeless and struggling with addiction, you can assist them in several ways, such as:

Contacting your local HUD Continuum of Care (CoC), the coalition designated to connect homeless people with different services in their geographical area.

Searching the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC) website for clinics that offer free healthcare (including behavioral/mental health care services).

Connecting them with community resources (see this list of community services organizations provided by the National Coalition for the Homeless or the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans if they are a veteran).

Visiting SAMHSA's gov website to search government-funded or free or no-cost treatment centers. You can also call their helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Calling 211, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated 3-digit number for information and referrals to social services and other types of assistance.

Contacting your county's Department of Human or Social Services, churches, non-profit social services organizations, or a local food pantry.

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Substance Abuse and Homelessness: Statistics and Rehab Treatment

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Homelessness and addiction often occur simultaneously, and, unfortunately, many people struggling with both issues are unable to get the help they need. But you can help them get the help they need.

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Options to Boost Work Opportunities for Workers Who Struggle | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

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Barriers such as limited skills or work experience can get in the way for some who want to find and keep a job in both good and bad times. Although today’s official unemployment rate is low, many…

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Employment programs offer jobs that are government-funded jobs and experience.

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Employment programs offer jobs that are government-funded jobs and experience.

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The cost of rehab can turn away homeless to seek help but state funded rehab can provide service for free.

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The cost of rehab can turn away homeless to seek help but state funded rehab can provide service for free.

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Programs can help homeless obtain permanent housing without most costs such as moving.

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Programs can help homeless obtain permanent housing without most costs such as moving.

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National Coalition for the Homeless - Building a movement to End Homelessness

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Employment & Income - National Coalition for the Homeless