Beyond the Myth: The Surprising Connection Between Homelessness and Violence
Rejecting False Narratives about Homelessness: Part 3
Homelessness and violence in the United States are deeply interconnected, each exacerbating the other and contributing to a growing humanitarian crisis. Recent data from 2024 and 2025 underscores the severity of both problems, revealing alarming trends and the urgent need for systemic solutions at a time in our history where the hope for such solutions from the government is all but lost.
The Scale of Homelessness in the U.S.
In 2024, the United States experienced an unprecedented rise in homelessness, with an 18% increase over 2023. The total number of people experiencing homelessness reached over 771,000, the highest recorded since data collection of this type began. This surge was driven by a combination of factors, including the ongoing housing affordability crisis, a continued lack of permanent housing, and the expiration of pandemic-era protections including eviction moratoria and expanded safety nets. The response system was overwhelmed, with only enough units to house 16% of households currently staying in shelters, leaving many without stable housing options.
Violence as a Cause and Consequence of Homelessness
Violence is both a leading cause and a devastating consequence of homelessness. Up to 57% of homeless women cite domestic violence as the primary reason for their homelessness, and four out of ten American cities identify domestic violence as the main driver of homelessness locally. Survivors of violence, particularly women and LGBTQ+ individuals, often face discrimination in housing markets and may be forced to choose between unsafe housing and homelessness.
Once homeless, individuals are at heightened risk of further violence. People living on the streets or in encampments face constant threats of physical assault, theft, and harassment. Discriminatory policies, such as laws criminalizing sleeping in public spaces, push unhoused individuals into more dangerous and isolated areas, increasing their vulnerability to violence and exacerbating the cycle of homelessness and incarceration.
Demographic Disparities and Vulnerable Populations
The crisis disproportionately affects certain groups. Youth of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with disabilities or criminal records are at significantly higher risk of homelessness. Gender-based violence is a major pathway to homelessness for women and LGBTQ+ people, who may flee abuse only to find themselves without safe housing options. Data from 2024 shows that people who identify as gender questioning have the highest rates of unsheltered homelessness, exceeding 75%.
Systemic Failures and Policy Implications
The root causes of homelessness and associated violence are systemic: severely underfunded affordable housing programs, wages that do not keep pace with rising rents, inadequate access to healthcare (including mental health services), and mass incarceration. Policies that criminalize homelessness rather than address its causes only deepen the crisis, pushing vulnerable individuals further to the margins and increasing their exposure to violence.
Conclusion
The intersection of violence and homelessness in the United States is a complex and urgent issue. Addressing it requires a multifaceted approach: expanding affordable housing, strengthening protections for survivors of violence, reforming discriminatory policies, and investing in comprehensive support services. Without concerted action, the cycles of violence and homelessness will continue to devastate lives and communities across the country.