Why are people homeless?
People do not become homeless overnight. Generally, a series of events or conditions escalates to the point where an individual or family can no longer maintain their home. Factors can include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Poverty
- Job loss
- Underemployment
- Limited formal education
- Chronic health issues
- Substance abuse
- Mental illness
- Domestic violence
- Unstable family arrangements
- Lack of essential life skills such as parenting or money-management
- Lack of affordable housing in the City of Alexandria
It is important to remember that many of these factors could affect anyone in the community—homelessness can happen to anyone.