Why do people experience homelessness?

There is no one exact answer to why people experience homelessness. Each individual that walks through the door to the Warming Center has their own unique story. Included in each story are many unique challenges that our guests encounter. Individual stories may include factors such as a lack of education, finances, resources, physical and mental health problems, substance abuse, criminal history, divorce, natural disaster, and many other factors. From traumatic life events to enduring great losses, to struggles with mental health and addiction issues, there just isn’t one factor that creates homelessness. It is important to understand that the individuals we provide our services to have different circumstances and needs and that we must treat each as an individual, rather than assume that they are similar and require the same services. As we interact and take the time to listen, we learn that our guests are someone’s daughter, someone’s brother, someone’s father. We begin to see that there really shouldn’t be a divide between, “us” and “them” because we are more alike than we are different. We are all in this together!