The state of Americans at risk and homeless are staggering. This deserving population is made up of individuals, families, and unaccompanied youth. 

Some are veterans who fought for our country, some have physical or mental illness and are unable to hold a job and addiction with no treatment for the disease, and just everyday people like you and me who lost their jobs and income. 

A variety of additional factors can contribute to the problem: chief among these is poverty, a decline in levels of public assistance, and lack of affordable healthcare.  

Some families living in poverty fall into homelessness because of some unforeseen financial challenges such as a death in the family, a lost job, or an unexpected bill which creates a situation where the family cannot maintain housing. 

While circumstances vary, the main reason people experience homelessness is because they cannot find housing they can afford. A lack of affordable housing in the United States contributes to the inability to acquire or maintain housing, particularly in urban areas where homelessness is more prevalent (Source: National Alliance to End Homelessness). 

It can happen to any of us, no matter our gender, age, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. We are all God’s children. Many families, individuals, and children today are a paycheck away from not having a place to call home. 

For the individual or family without a home, the impact can be devastating. Imagine for a moment what it would mean in your own life to be without a safe place to sleep, to shower, to keep your clothing and possessions, to build your life.  

Not only is there a direct impact on the individuals and families, but there is also an enormous cost to our society in general from the problem of homelessness. These costs are in the areas of medical treatment, hospitalization, police intervention, incarceration, the provision of emergency shelters, and other areas. 

Every human deserves safe shelter, food, and clothing.