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Home of the Brave, But Not the Housed

Writer's picture: Ma-Sadio FayeMa-Sadio Faye
Jan 133 min read

"America is a third-world country with a Gucci belt"


This has long been echoed all over the internet, as the massive amounts of debt incurred by Americans are noticeable, alongside our contentious healthcare systems, and average wages. We're definitely not a third-world country—all of the things previously mentioned are not present within said countries—but we for sure have a homelessness problem.


In December 2024, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, currently headed by Biden-acting appointee Adrianne Todman (previously held by Marcia Fudge, who resigned early), dropped a bombshell report revealing that homelessness* had risen 18% from the previous year, with over 770,000 more people residing in shelters or the outdoors. As a New Yorker, I've always been aware of homelessness but was never aware of how much it's worsened all over the nation. 


As always, Republicans and Democrats have wildly different reasons for why homelessness has plagued the great United States of America—the richest country in the world—for decades. 


Republicans often attribute homelessness to mental illness, substance abuse, and- moving forward to the farthest right-wing ideologies- liberals. One thing most Republicans agree on is that liberal government policies, like overly generous social welfare programs, discourage homeless individuals from working or taking personal accountability. They frequently emphasize the need for stricter law enforcement. Former President Trump has also advocated for reopening mental institutions all over the U.S., reminiscent of the 1960s. 


Democrats, on the other hand, attribute homelessness to things like a lack of affordable housing, insufficient social safety nets, and- moving forward to the farthest left-wing ideologies- economic inequality spurred by capitalism. Most agree that increased government intervention through funded housing programs or measures like raising the minimum wage would make a difference.


Credit: Gilbert Mercier
Credit: Gilbert Mercier

As always, the politicians in power are responsible. Quite frankly, most politicians in power charged with fixing the housing crisis are ill-suited or unqualified to help. Homelessness is a deep, slippery slope, with most homeless people falling deeper into it than climbing out of it.


Many will say, "Just get a job" or "Just get an apartment," callously ignoring the hurdles that come with both. Getting a job requires a job application, which requires an internet connection—something that often costs money. Similarly, "just get an apartment" overlooks the challenges of needing a good credit score, a guarantor, a deposit, or meeting minimum salary requirements. Affordable housing is not as helpful as it could be—especially in a staggering market for apartments—but the average homeless person is not likely to live in affordable housing. Middle-class individuals are.


State and federal governments need to work to fill in the gaps in these processes—expanding existing free internet programs, offering deposit subsidies, and collaborating with landlords on things like salary minimums or guarantor requirements.


Unfortunately, this isn’t going to get better. There is less than a week before Mr. Trump re-assumes his title as President Trump, and my hope for improvement has unfortunately evaporated. Continuing his trend of appointing those with no experience in the housing department, as he did in 2016 with the appointment of Dr. Ben Carson, a neurosurgeon, as HUD Secretary, the former President has tapped former football player and Representative (TX-33) Scott Turner for the position. Like Dr. Carson, Mr. Turner has no professional experience in housing. Worse, Trump has vowed to cut HUD funding further.


While my faith in federal leadership on this particular issue is shaken, I remain hopeful that states themselves can push forward action to make meaningful change. The fight to end homelessness must be a collective one, regardless of who sits in the White House.



*homelessness is the state of lacking permanent housing (ex: living in shelters or outside)




Photo Credit:

[1]- FMT


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