The Economic Consequences of Homelessness in The US

have less contact with family and friends. In general, 30-35% of those experiencing
homelessness, and up to 75% of women experiencing homelessness, have mental
illnesses. 20-25% of people experiencing homelessness suffer from concurrent
disorders (severe mental illness and addictions). People who haves severe mental
illnesses over-represent those experiencing homelessness, as they are often released
from hospitals and jails without proper community supports in place.
Community-based mental health services play an important role. Homelessness could
be drastically reduced if people with severe mental illness were able to access
supportive housing as well as other necessary community supports.
They encounter more barriers to employment and tend to be in poorer health than other
people experiencing homelessness. Housing outreach services that provide a safe
place to live are a vital component of stabilizing the illness and helping individuals on
their journey to recovery.
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Mental Illness and Homelessness Are Connected;
But not how you might think
By Gale Holland
Aug 07, 2017 | 5:00 AM
Even as Los Angeles starts a $1.2-billion homeless housing construction program,
residents from Temple City to Venice are fighting to keep homeless projects out of their
neighborhoods.
But since 1995, chronically homeless mentally ill people — a widely shunned subgroup
— have been living in Santa Monica’s Step Up on Second apartments, a block from the
tourist-friendly Third Street Promenade and close enough to the beach to feel the salt
air.
“Look around. It’s here,” Rep. Timothy F. Murphy (R-Pa.) said during a recent visit,
describing why he sees Step Up’s residential programs as a national model.
Murphy, author of a major 2016 mental health reform bill, was in Santa Monica to tour
three of Step Up’s permanent supportive housing buildings, which offer apartments and
counseling, case management and substance abuse treatment to 267 formerly
homeless people with mental health issues.
During the visit, The Times interviewed Step Up Executive Director Tod Lipka, staff
members and residents. Dennis Culhane, University of Pennsylvania professor and
homelessness researcher, and Andrew Sperling, legislative advocacy director for the
National Alliance on Mental Illness, were interviewed later.
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