The Many Causes of Homelessness

Alberta Homeless Foundation
Oct 10
4 min read

Introduction

Homelessness is often seen as something that happens suddenly, or for a singular reason. However, every individual's experience is shaped by a mix of economic, social, health, and personal challenges that come together in complex ways. Analyzing this deeper, it is evident that homelessness is not just an individual issue, but rather a reflection of broader systems and challenges that affect us all. To fully understand and solve homelessness, individuals must look beyond stereotypes and explore the many interconnected causes that make it such a difficult issue to address.

Economic and Structural Factors

Economic and structural challenges are among the most common causes of homelessness. In many Canadian cities, rent prices have increased much faster than wages, making it difficult for working individuals to afford safe housing.

When the cost of living rises but incomes remain the same, individuals are left with fewer choices and less security. A single missed paycheck, medical emergency, or unexpected expense can quickly lead to eviction.
The shortage of affordable housing and cuts to social assistance programs have worsened the situation by leading to financial pressure and eventually resulting in homelessness.

Homelessness in these cases is not caused by personal failure but rather due to the growing gap between what individuals earn and what it costs to survive. These conditions reveal how deeply the housing market and economic policies shape the lives of those most at risk.

Personal and Relational Challenges

Personal and relational struggles often act as the final tipping point that pushes an individual into homelessness. Conflict with family, friends, or partners can destroy the social support systems that many rely on during hard times.

An individual escaping domestic violence, for instance, may have no one to turn to and no safe place to stay.
Youth who face rejection from their families because of their identity or lifestyle may end up in unsafe or unstable living conditions.
Relationship breakdowns, grief, and the loss of a caregiver can also leave individuals emotionally and financially vulnerable.

In many cases, individuals leave their homes not through choice, but in order to survive. When these challenges combine with financial stress or lack of affordable housing, it becomes almost impossible to stay stable. When an individual fails to have a proper support system to turn to for help, their chances of falling deeper towards homelessness increases.

Health and Mental Health Issues

Health problems and mental illness can both lead to, and worsen homelessness. Individuals who live with depression, anxiety, addiction, or other conditions often struggle to maintain employment or keep up with bills. Once an individual loses their home, their health usually worsens. Homelessness exposes individuals to extreme weather, poor nutrition, and constant stress. Without access to proper healthcare or medication, even manageable conditions can become life-threatening. This creates a vicious cycle where homelessness harms health, and poor health makes it harder to find stability. Addressing homelessness, therefore, requires more than just housing; it demands real investment in physical and mental health care.

Systemic and Identity-Based Barriers

Not everyone faces the same level of risk when it comes to homelessness. Some groups experience systemic discrimination that makes finding and keeping housing much harder.

Indigenous communities are overrepresented among those experiencing homelessness due to a long history of colonization, discrimination, and unequal access to housing and healthcare.
- Racialized communities, individuals with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community are also disproportionately affected due to long histories of bias and exclusion.
Landlords may refuse to rent to someone on government assistance or to an individual with a criminal record.
Discrimination can also appear in hiring practices, making it harder for individuals to earn enough income to stay housed.

These barriers are not caused by individual shortcomings but rather by systems that treat individuals unfairly based on who they are. Until these inequalities are addressed as a social issue, homelessness will continue to affect the same groups again and again.

The Cycle of Homelessness

Once an individual becomes homeless, escaping the situation is extremely difficult. Without a stable address, applying for jobs or accessing services becomes a challenge. Many shelters have time limits that force individuals to move frequently, preventing them from building stability. In addition to that, important documents like identification or medical cards often get lost, adding even more barriers. The stress of living without security can make it hard to focus on recovery or long-term planning. Over time, homelessness becomes a cycle where each obstacle feeds into the next. Breaking this pattern requires consistent housing options, community support, and programs that focus on long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes.

Moving Forward with Compassion

Ending homelessness begins with compassion and understanding. Instead of blaming individuals, society must focus on creating conditions that make housing a right, not a privilege. Expanding affordable housing, raising minimum wages, and investing in mental health care are key steps toward lasting change. Programs that follow the Housing First approach, which prioritizes giving individuals homes before requiring treatment or employment, have been proven effective because they restore stability and dignity. Real solutions come from recognizing that homelessness is not a personal failure but a community responsibility. With empathy, strong policies, and collective action, it is possible to create a future where everyone has a safe and stable home.