CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS...

1) POVERTY, JOBLESSNESS, EDUCATION AND LITERACY.......
Poverty is closely linked of homelessness. When people lack income to meet all their needs. They are forced to choose between housing untilities, transportation, childcare, healthcare and food. One of quater of the homeless individuals surveyed as part of the night count were employed. Nationally on similiarly high proportion of homeless individuals are employed. However, wages are often not sufficient to ensure housing stability and many people do not have jobs that provide living wages, health insurance or high job security. Half of homeless adults have incomes of less than RM300 per month. A lack of educational opportunity limits acces to living-wage jobs. Reseacrh had shown the lack of a high scholl diploma to associated with homeless for individuals and families.

2) DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Domestic violence is a factor of homelessness, particularly for women and children. Nationally, studies indicate that up to half of homeless women with children may have experienced domestic violence prior to becoming homeless. In 2007 of the over 7,000 people counted in the One Noght Count, more than 1,000 cited domestic violence as a significant factor of their homelessness.

3) EFFECTS OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND CHEMICAL ADDICTION
People who have complex life issuues related to mental illness and subtance use are seen in higher numbers among homeless persond than the general population. Nationally, between 20 and 25 percent of homeless persons are living with a serve mental illness. While information about addiction is less definitive, alcohol and  drug use is noted a large number of homeless persons. Untreated mental illness and subtances use issues clearly affect housing stability and success.

4) LACK OF COMMUNITY SUPPORTS
All of the problems listed above are exacerbated when individuals and families lack of network of social support. Many people experience difficulties in their life. for most people, families, churches, neighborhoods and schools operate as webs of support are no longer available because they have fled their community to escape domestic violence have been reject by their parents over lifestyle differences, because they have ''burned through'' their support systems due to multiple difficulties or for many other reasons. for those without support, a single crisis and homelessness, and without that community support, the path back out of homelessness is vastly more difficult.

by: Raiyana Salha