Homelessness often is the intersection of several issues, and the ways in which these issues can impact individuals and families–as well as our communities–can change on an ongoing basis.
Here are some of the major issues that impact Minnesotans experiencing homelessness:
Children’s Education
Families with children constitute about 40 percent of people who become homeless.
Mental Health
While only four percent of the U.S. population has a serious mental illness, five to six times as many people who are homeless (20 to 25 percent) have serious mental illnesses.
Domestic Violence
Nearly one in five women experiencing homelessness in Minnesota say that one of their main reasons for leaving housing was to flee abuse.
Affordable Housing
There are about 185,000 households in the Twin Cities area with annual incomes below $30,000, that pay more than 30% of their income on housing.