1. Addiction

Stereotypically thought of as the most common cause of homelessness, in the U.S., 68% of cities report that addiction was the largest cause of homelessness.

2. Domestic Violence

In the U.S., 50% of women and children are trying to escape domestic violence.

3. Mental Illness

In the U.S., 6% of the population suffers from some form of mental illness. Within the homeless population, numbers jump to 20-25%.

4. Job Loss/Unemployment

Due to the current state of the economy, layoffs and job cuts have left individuals and families without any form of income to support themselves financially.

5. Foreclosure

In one year, foreclosure jumped 32%. A survey taken in 2009 estimated that 10% of people search for help from homeless organizations due to foreclosure.

6. Post-Traumatic Stress

As many as 200,000 military veterans are sleeping on the streets and percentages are rising. Returning veterans are many times unable to cope and eventually leave families and homes.

7. Throw Away Teens

Family conflict is often the cause of teenage homelessness. Teens run away or get kicked out because of drug and alcohol addiction, domestic abuse, teen pregnancy or sexual orientation.

8. Relational Brokenness

Many times, a homeless person is deeply hurting. They can be very emotionally unstable and look for help from their friends and families. Often, the friends and families give up after tirelessly trying to support that person.

9. Grief

Being unable to deal with the death of a loved one can cause significant trauma to a person mental health. Many times they look to drugs to cope with their feelings.

10. Despair

Many times when a person feels like they have hit rock bottom they don’t see a way to get back up. They soon give up.