Pennsylvania is a state that is rich in culture, history, and tradition. Unfortunately, there are many people who are struggling with homelessness. Homelessness in Pennsylvania has been on the rise, and over the past decade, more and more residents have been struggling to find affordable housing.
Below we will look at the main causes of homelessness in Pennsylvania; we will examine some of the data related to the issue and go over a few of the programs that are designed to help combat homelessness in Pennsylvania.
There is no one specific cause of homelessness in Pennsylvania; it is likely a combination of many factors. The economy, affordable housing, and mental health issues are all possible causes.
For those who are struggling with economic problems and job loss, the high cost of living in the state can be too much to handle. In addition, there is a lack of low-income housing available for those who need it most. With so many people competing for limited resources, it's easy for someone with an unstable income to fall off track quickly.
Low wages may also play a role in homelessness because some families cannot afford basic necessities such as healthcare or food without going into debt. While some families turn to government programs like SNAP (food stamps), others struggle privately without support from other sources such as family members or friends willing to lend a hand financially during tough times.
Mental health issues are one of the leading causes of homelessness across America, and Pennsylvania is no exception. In most such cases, substance abuse is also a contributing factor.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, there are more than 580,000 homeless people in the United States on any given night. In Pennsylvania alone, there are an estimated 13,375 people experiencing homelessness, a number that has increased by more than 15% since 2017.
While these numbers may seem high, they're actually down from a decade ago when we had more than 11 million people living in poverty across America and over 1 million homeless people nationwide, which translated to one out of every 300 Americans at any given time!
There are more than 100 homeless shelters in Pennsylvania. If you are experiencing homelessness, then many of the local shelters in Pennsylvania are equipped with a variety of programs that can provide you with the help you need, including:
Food and clothing assistance. You will be able to get meals and clothing at most homeless shelters throughout the state of Pennsylvania.
Job training and placement. If you want to find work but don't have any work experience, a homeless shelter may offer professional training programs that can help you learn how to find employment as well as resume preparation services.
Some homeless shelters offer long-term housing options where they will help pay rent on an apartment or home while they work with clients who want to become self-sufficient again.
There are also a number of state-sponsored programs designed to help tackle the problem of homelessness in Pennsylvania, including Homeless Assistance Program Services.
The issue of homelessness can be hard to look at and accept, but it is also such an easy problem to help solve. It's as simple as recognizing there is a problem that needs solving and then doing something about it. Whether this means donating your time or money to an organization in need or just making others aware of how they can help, you're doing your part in helping solve homelessness in Pennsylvania.