Homelessness:
Whose crisis is it?
The population of Americans experiencing homelessness face many burdens. But their plight isn’t just financial. Not having a home can have severe health repercussions as well.
Without a home, people are more likely to have untreated health problems, chronic disabilities, and mental health disorders.
home
less
ness
·
·
noun
/'hōmlesnes/
e
The state of having no home. “Families are facing homelessness"
The Problem
In 2019, Providence conducted a survey to understand consumer perceptions of social problems facing the nation. Consumers in the western U.S. identified homelessness and poverty among the top three issues.
Top 3 Social Problems
Health care coverage for all
Homelessness and poverty
Mental health
and drug addiction
21%
17%
13%
Source: Exploring Homelessness and Poverty Survey, 2019
Homelessness is one of the most pressing public health crises in our nation.
Dora Barilla, group vice president, community health investment, Providence
Who is at risk?
The stereotype
The reality
32%
said couch surfing
We asked consumers to describe what homelessness “looks like.”
The truth is much more complicated. Of people experiencing homelessness:
75%
pictured tent cities
64%
said car living
58%
thought panhandling
7%
said something else
32%
are in families with children — many in flight from domestic violence.
24%
have a disability
30%
in New York City are employed. They just can’t afford rent.
Thousands are made homeless following a natural disaster. 311,000 housing units were damaged from Hurricane Harvey alone.
In reality, the risk of homelessness is closer than most people imagine. In 2017, 11 million Americans were living “doubled up” with family or friends, or spending more than half their income on housing — a near 20% increase in the last decade.
Closer than you think
Hover to explore
2007
2017
3,546,184
5,711,775
4,425,768
6,657,299
Doubled up with friends and family
Severe housing burden
Source: The State of Homelessness 2019 Report
Call it bold, but my aspiration is that the public and private sectors can actually solve this national public health crisis if we join together.
—Mike Butler, president of
operations and strategy, Providence
36%
Of the nation’s homeless population live in the seven western states served by Providence.
These are the real faces of the homeless crisis
While there’s not really a unifying view on what homelessness “looks like,” consumers agree on where the burden of solving it falls.
What do consumers think about homelessness?
Hover to see percentage
Federal
Government
health care
organizations
State Government
Nonprofits
Faith-Based
Organizations
Local
Corporations
Local
Community
80%
66%
60%
41%
22%
20%
12%
Source: Exploring Homelessness and Poverty Survey, 2019
The cause
The solution
Despite not being seen as primarily responsible for the solution for homelessness, consumers rightly feel that “health care” has a strong linkage to the cause. Finding meaningful solutions will require participation from all of these organizations and many more.
The health care connection
Hover to explore
78%
72%
57%
22%
Lack of affordable healthcare
Rising housing costs
Low income
Mental health issues and addiction
17%
33%
41%
50%
Increase access to healthcare
Provide a pathway to employment
Tackling the opioid and addiction crisis
Better access to affordable housing
What would have the greatest impact on ending homelessness?
What do you feel are the leading causes of homelessness?
59%
Better access to
mental health services
Source: Exploring Homelessness and Poverty Survey, 2019
We believe that finding solutions for safe, affordable housing is the right thing to do… it’s a moral imperative.
— Mike Butler, president of
operations and strategy, Providence
Let’s be part of the solution
At Providence, we believe that housing and health are inextricably linked. That’s why we’re working on being part of the solution, not only with health care but through investments in housing and other basic human needs.
Supportive
Housing
Respite
care
Nonprofit advising
Community
Resource Desks
Temporary modular shelters
Click the surrounding tiles to learn how Providence is responding to homelessness and housing insecurity.
When you don’t have shelter, it’s harder to heal after medical treatment. Respite programs provide medical care and referrals to support services, so people experiencing homelessness can recuperate safely, avoiding unnecessary return trips to the hospital. It is an interim solution until patients are connected with permanent housing.
Respite Care
Learn more
Non-profit advising
There are not enough local resources available to help people who are experiencing homelessness. That is why we work with non-profits equally dedicated to addressing the homeless crisis, helping them strengthen and grow to meet community needs.
Free Community Resource Desks
Because homelessness and housing insecurity are health issues, we’ve embedded Community Resource Desks in several of our primary care clinics in Oregon. The desks assist patients with basic social needs like housing, utility assistance and help with job searches.
Learn more
Temporary modular shelters
We have joined with Pearl Jam and Catholic Charities to help fund and drive awareness toward modular shelters. These shelters offer a temporary safe space to stay for people experiencing homelessness while agencies help find a more permanent solution.
Supportive housing
This approach offers permanent, affordable homes to residents with low incomes, designed to help them remain housed. Voluntary supportive services are available to give residents the best chance at a productive life.
94% of supportive housing residents at Plymouth Housing in Seattle stay housed.
Learn more
Solutions come when
we work together.
Learn how
The stereotype
The reality
The cause
The solution
Click on a photo to see their stories.
Click to explore
Click to see percentage
Click to explore
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