Sustainable Solutions: Addressing the Root Causes of Homelessness Through Safe Haven’s Programs
Homelessness is a multifaceted issue that affects millions of individuals around the world. It's not just about lacking a physical shelter; it's a deeply intricate challenge with various underlying factors. To truly understand and address homelessness, we must delve into its root causes. In this blog post, we will unravel the complex tapestry of homelessness, exploring the key factors that contribute to this pressing social problem, and highlight how Safe Haven is working to address these issues in Johnson County Arkansas.
Poverty
One of the primary factors leading to homelessness is poverty. The lack of access to stable employment and fair wages can push people to the brink of homelessness. Deeper than the availability of employment is individual factors such as lack of transportation, criminal record, and lack of technology and hygiene items. Once an individual becomes homeless, it can become exceedingly difficult without assistance to gain and maintain employment. To gain employment, one must have clean clothes and access to a shower as well as transportation to the interview. For someone who is homeless, these simple barriers can seem insurmountable. Having a criminal record can limit the job market, which can be very discouraging for an individual trying to get back on their feet. Simply put, individuals often require assistance to navigate their barriers to rise above the poverty line.
At Safe Haven, we have case managers who work to help individuals access the services they need and lower their individual barriers. Case management is a free service and involves goal setting, budgeting, and transportation. Many homeless individuals are unaware of the free services that can help them rise out of their situation. Our case managers are experienced in accessing these services and work to create an individualized plan.
Lack of Affordable Housing
A critical component of the homelessness crisis is the scarcity of affordable housing. Rapid economic growth can drive up housing costs, making it increasingly difficult for low-income individuals and families to secure safe and stable accommodations. Many towns face a shortage of affordable housing options, forcing vulnerable populations onto the streets. Although economic growth ultimately benefits the population of a town, special consideration should be given to develop housing in tandem with economic opportunities.
At Safe Haven, we offer long term housing for women in recovery. This allows women who have completed our recovery program to focus on their recovery without fear of losing their housing or having to live in an area that puts their recovery at risk. Our case managers also work with housing programs such as Section 8 and HUD to help individuals apply for these programs and secure stable housing. As an organization, we often advocate for the development of new housing in our rural county as this is a common barrier that our clients face.
Mental Health Challenges
Mental health issues can exacerbate the risk of homelessness. Individuals grappling with conditions like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder may struggle to maintain stable housing due to difficulties in holding down a job, managing finances, or maintaining social relationships. Individuals with mental health problems are particularly vulnerable to homelessness, abuse, and substance use.
Safe Haven acknowledges the influence mental health challenges can have, and we are now able to offer mental health counseling for adults. We also have treatment vouchers available to cover the cost of treatment for uninsured individuals. Currently, we are working to open mental health treatment for children in our area.
Substance Abuse and Addiction
Substance abuse and addiction can lead to a cycle of homelessness. Individuals may lose their homes as a result of their struggles with addiction, and the challenges of life on the streets can further perpetuate these issues. Addiction and homelessness create a self perpetuating cycle. We offer several programs to help stop this cycle.
Our 12-week recovery program involves case management, counseling, group education to include foundations of freedom, budgeting, recovery management, parenting and more, drug screening, and employment assistance. Our substance abuse treatment is licensed with the state of Arkansas and offers evidence-based treatment methods for substance abuse. The best part is, our day program is completely free! In our program, individuals learn how to identify their triggers, create a relapse prevention plan, and learn the necessary skills to live a healthy and stable life. This program is available for men and women.
We have a 20 bed sober living facility for women in recovery that can be used in tandem with our recovery program. Once a women completes our program, she can transfer to our long term housing as a stable transition to independent living. In our graduate housing, individuals maintain accountability through drug screening and have continued support through ongoing transportation to jobs and support.
If an individual needs more intensive care than we offer, Safe Haven will transport for free to support services such as detox, rehab, and crisis centers. Our peer support specialist will work with individuals to discuss their options for gaining and maintaining sobriety and help lower any associated barriers for reaching those services.
Family Instability and Domestic Violence
Family instability, including domestic violence and strained relationships, can drive individuals, especially women and children, into homelessness. Escaping an abusive situation might force victims to leave their homes and seek refuge elsewhere. The lack of supportive networks and resources can make it difficult for them to regain stability.
Safe Haven offers an evidence-based domestic violence program to the community for free. This program is for offenders and teaches anger management, healthy communication skills, and foundations of healthy relationships. Our crisis center works to place individuals escaping domestic violence in shelters and independent living. Mental health counseling is also available for individuals healing from domestic violence.
Lack of Access to Education and Employment Opportunities
Education and employment play a crucial role in preventing homelessness. Limited access to quality education and job opportunities can trap individuals in a cycle of poverty, making it challenging to secure stable income and housing.
Our case managers work tirelessly to help individuals access employment opportunities. This involves transportation to job interviews, gaining necessary IDs such as drivers license and social security, access to technology to apply for jobs online, and much more. We also help coordinate access to adult education and employment agencies.
Conclusion
Homelessness is a complex issue with no single cause. It is the result of an intricate interplay of economic, social, and systemic factors. Addressing homelessness requires a holistic approach that tackles each of these root causes. By promoting economic equity, affordable housing, mental health support, addiction treatment, education, and social justice, we can work towards a society where homelessness becomes a rarity rather than a tragic reality. Let us strive to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to lead a safe, dignified, and fulfilling life.
If you would like to learn more about our programs, or access these services for yourself or a loved one, please give us a call!
(ChatGPT, personal communication, August 8th, 2023)