In 2024, 770,000 people were experiencing homelessness in the United States—an 18% increase from 2023. This is almost 1 million people without homes. And while policymakers from every level of government—federal to local—are working on solutions, we continue to underfund the one solution that would end the homeless epidemic: more housing. The reasons behind this are many: exclusionary zoning, infrastructure issues that have led to underbuilding since the Great Recession of 2009, and cuts to funding as the belief that everyone deserves housing has been replaced by the belief that housing is a commodity that must be earned. With the SCOTUS decision in Grants Pass v Johnson, cities have been given the ability to criminalize those impacted by these systemic barriers, making housing even more inaccessible to them.
Cicero, a nonpartisan think tank that drafts bill language that criminalizes homelessness, believes that the money being spent to address homelessness is not looking at the root cause of homelessness: individual accountability. Cicero states that cities need to become tougher on homelessness and hold individuals experiencing homelessness accountable for their decisions.
Too often, homelessness is seen as a direct result of personal choices made by an individual, and not a consequence of systemic issues stemming from policy failures around housing.
It’s hard to believe that nearly 1 million people in the United States are making choices that lead them to homelessness. The demographic that saw the sharpest increase in homelessness both in the United States and in Missouri is families with at least one child under 18 in the home: a 39% and 52% increase respectively. This also comes at a time when costs are increasing, including housing costs, and access to resources is more limited. While studies show that housing vouchers reduce homelessness and help people move out of poverty, only 1 in 4 people who qualify for a voucher can access one. The group that utilizes these subsidies the most? Children. It’s hard to see these facts and also continue to view it as personal choice.
In 2024, older Americans accounted for nearly 42,000 individuals experiencing homelessness, with 43% of them sheltering in places not meant for human habitation. This is happening at the same time that the Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security Income (a primary source of income for many older Americans) saw its lowest increase since 2020 and as rental prices continue to rise. Criminalizing them is seen by many as the best option: force them to make better choices. However, the choice many are forced to make is between rent and food, medical care, or electricity. And as access to affordable housing continues to decline—a 3.9% decrease over the last decade—we need stronger policies in place to increase our housing supply, not punitive actions that drive more people into homelessness.
Language in current homeless criminalization bills across the United States give individuals two options: go to a shelter or go to jail. However, only 21 of Missouri’s 115 counties have emergency shelters available; this isn’t much of a choice for those in areas without adequate shelter. Telling people to get a voucher also isn’t the quick solution with underfunding meaning that only 1 in 4 households eligible for a voucher are able to access one. Reports also show that 67% or more of landlords refuse tenants who have a voucher. Again, without policies that make housing more accessible, there isn’t a choice besides fines and jail time.
So, what can you do to advocate for policies that end homelessness? Advocate for stronger policies that protect tenants and increase housing accessibility. Currently, there are three bills filed (HB 343, HB 595, and SB 507) that are attempting to stop the enforcement of Source of Income (SOI) Discrimination Bans that have been passed in Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia, and Webster Groves. These bills would also prevent new discrimination bans from being implemented. Overturning SOI discrimination bans would worsen the homelessness crisis as less housing is available to lower income households. To advocate for stronger housing policies and against the overturning of SOI discrimination bans, join us in Jefferson City on February 25th, 2025 for our Day of Action. This is an opportunity not only to learn more about housing policies in Missouri, but also to speak with your legislators about why you believe access to affordable housing is the right choice for Missouri.
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