The Economic Consequences of Homelessness in The US

Culhane said half the country’s homeless people have a physical or mental disability, or
both. But they don’t necessarily qualify for federal disability payments, which in any
case are too low — about $800 a month — to cover rent, utilities and other needs, even
with food stamps tacked on, he added. Welfare reform in 1996 made it difficult for
people whose impairment stems largely from substance abuse disorders to receive
federal disability aid, Culhane said.
“Instead of looking at individuals and their biographies and conditions, the question is
why is the disability system failing?” Culhane said.
Is mental illness the result of genetics and brain chemistry alone, or does trauma
play a role?
“We’re still figuring that one out,” Sperling said. A strong case has been made for a
genetic role in schizophrenia, but physiological and biological brain development,
environmental stressors and childhood trauma are also thought to influence mental
health.
“I grew up in Jordan Downs and Watts, I’ve seen a lot and I’ve been through two riots,”
said Step Up resident Marvin Duckworth, 57. “My sense of hope and faith is not that
strong.”
How many mentally ill homeless people have issues with alcohol and drug abuse,
and does drug addiction cause mental illness?
About half of the homeless people with severe mental illness also have problems with
alcohol or drugs, Culhane said. Lipka put the percentage of his agency’s clients even
higher — 60% to 70% — but he and the other experts said drug use does not cause
severe mental illness. Rather, homeless people with untreated mental illness selfmedicate
to relieve symptoms, Lipka said.
I grew up in Jordan Downs and Watts, I’ve seen a lot and I’ve been through two riots.
My sense of hope and faith is not that strong.
— Marvin Duckworth
What is the role of prescribed medication in treating mentally ill homeless
people? Doesn’t it turn them all into zombies?
Medication relieves symptoms, but it “doesn’t create purpose or positive meaning in
your life, even if you have stabilized with housing,” Lipka said.
Paula Boutte, Step Up’s Santa Monica program manager, said side effects affect people
differently and medications and dosages often have to be adjusted over time. “If you
experience drowsiness and can’t get up, it’s not quality of life,” Boutte said.
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