What is “homelessness”?
A. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines homeless as persons who are: sleeping in places not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks, and abandoned buildings; sleeping in emergency shelters; or, living in transitional or supportive housing for homeless persons but who originally came from streets or emergency shelters. This includes persons who ordinarily sleep in one of the above places but are spending a short time (30 consecutive days or less) in a hospital or other institution; being evicted within the week from private dwelling units and no subsequent residences have been identified and they lack the resources and support networks needed to obtain access to housing; being discharged within the week from institutions in which they have been residents for more than 30 consecutive days and no subsequent residences have been identified and they lack the resources and support networks needed to obtain access to housing.

Aren’t most people homeless because they are mentally ill, or because they are addicted to drugs or alcohol?
A. No, the facts are that most of the people who are homeless do NOT suffer from mental illness, or addiction to drugs or alcohol. National studies have shown that 15 to 20% report having a mental health problem, and between 35 and 40% report an addiction to drugs or abuse of alcohol that may or may not predate their homelessness. In some respondents, mental health issues may also coincide with addiction to drugs or abuse of alcohol; indicating the majority of homeless people suffer neither from mental health issues nor issues of substance addiction or abuse.

Aren’t some people homeless because they like the “freedom”?
A. One may assume that being homeless means a life without responsibility, routine or demands. The life of the homeless person is physically and psychologically stressful. What to eat? Where to sleep? How to stay warm? How to stay safe? Staying in shelters is the ultimate in routine; in by a certain hour, out early in the morning, regardless of the weather. When out of the shelter and on the streets, homeless people are vulnerable to the natural elements, as well as crimes such as robbery, theft, assault and rape. If you are a homeless adult, taking care of your family, the responsibilities of trying to shelter, feed, care for and protect yourself and your family can be overwhelming. Most of us would not consider this is a life of “freedom” at all.

We seem to have a very prosperous economy here in Clark County. Are the homeless people we see not interested in working? Is that why they’re homeless?
A. The root cause of homelessness is a combination of a lack of affordable housing and a lack of jobs that provide livable wages that allow individuals and families access to housing, food, utilities and healthcare. It is NOT a lack of housing. There is, and has been, a surplus of housing stock as evidenced by vacancy rates.

How many homeless people have jobs?
A. Various studies show that approximately: 25% of homeless adults are employed full- or part-time 40% of homeless people had wage-paying jobs in the last 30 days 20% of homeless people receive some kind of governmental financial assistance.

How many people are homeless in Clark County?
A. The number of homeless people in Clark County changes from day-to-day, from month-to-month and year-to-year as a result of a variety of economic and other trends and influences. In our last “One-Day Homeless Count” in March of 2004, there were 1,022 persons in shelters or transitional housing, and 409 “unsheltered” persons. In 2004, more than 12,000 calls were received by the Emergency Shelter Clearinghouse made on behalf of individuals or families. Roughly 1/3 of those considered “homeless” are children under the age of 18.

Won’t those people who are now homeless always be homeless?
A. No. Homelessness, for most people, is a state of being which is transitory. Not everyone who is now homeless has always been homeless, and not everyone who is housed now will always be housed. Loss of a job, an illness or injury not covered by medical insurance and other unexpected events can propel any of us from a life of security to one of uncertainty. Most people, if given an opportunity to stabilize their situation and receive the access to services to help transition them back to housing and/or employment, will transition out of homelessness and back into self-sufficiency.

Don’t some people just prefer being homeless? Is that why they sleep on the streets and in doorways, instead of in shelters?
A. The mere fact that shelter programs exist does not mean that homeless people can gain access to them -- and it certainly doesn't mean that people who are homeless don't want help. Lack of shelter space and restrictive eligibility policies force many people to live on the streets, in cars, doubled or tripled-up in unstable living arrangements, or in abusive situations. For these persons, getting "help" isn't as easy as asking for it. The vast majority of people do not want to live on the streets or in other public places. If there were adequate housing and shelter options, they wouldn't have to.

Government programs are quite generous, so why is there still a “homeless” problem?
A. Welfare benefits, public benefits and housing assistance funds are continuously declining. Likewise, the number of housing units subsidized by housing assistance programs also continue to decline. Waiting lists for public and assisted housing units are 1 to 5 years long.

Okay, I’m convinced there is a very real problem, and I want to help. What can I do?
A. Advocate For Change If homelessness is unacceptable to you, speak out. Talk about it, write letters about it and support the efforts of the organizations and groups in your community whose goals are to change the conditions which contribute to homelessness.