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Summary of Public Opinion Polling on Homelessness

Executive Summary: "Homelessness in the United States is currently at the highest levels in the history of record keeping by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Although extensive research points to the nation’s prolonged affordable housing crisis as the primary driver of this increase, widespread misunderstanding of the causes of and solutions to end homelessness persists among the public. These gaps in knowledge are impacting efforts to end homelessness in this nation. In recent years, misunderstandings about homelessness have been exploited in an effort to make it a political wedge issue that can divide constituents. The negative consequences are manifold, including a growing sense of cynicism about homelessness, increasing hostility towards people experiencing homelessness, attacks against established best practices for ending people’s homelessness, and increased support for harmful and historically failed carceral tactics that force people into shelter and services under the threat of arrest. In June 2024, the National Alliance to End Homelessness commissioned Morning Consult to conduct a national public opinion poll to learn about the public’s attitudes and understanding of the homelessness crisis. The objective of this research was to identify areas of support, as well as gaps in awareness and understanding, regarding efforts to address the homelessness crisis in the United States. The ultimate goal is to use the findings to craft more effective communications strategies and tactics to support best practices throughout the homelessness field."


Key Findings:

  • "There is increasing appreciation of the economic drivers of homelessness, including housing costs, inflation, and low wages. However, dominant narratives on drugs,

    mental health, and personal decisions continue to be entrenched among segments of

    the public.

    • A nearly equal number of total respondents believe that a lack of affordable

      housing is a primary driver of homelessness (56%), as believe that drugs and

      alcohol are (57%).

    • Similarly, an equal number of total respondents believe that mental illness and

      inflation are both primary causes of homelessness (52% each).

  • A majority of respondents (76%) believe more people are becoming homeless for the first time compared to the past, including 33% who say significantly more people are becoming homeless.

    • 45% have noticed an increase in homelessness in their local community over the past year.

  • Fewer than a third of respondents (31%) believe that homelessness is a very serious problem in their local community, while more than two thirds (68%) believe that it is a very serious problem in the United States.

    • Similarly, 68% believe that homelessness definitely or might be able to be solved locally, while only 62% believed the same for their state, and 55% for the nation.

  • More than three-quarters of respondents (75%) agreed with the statement, “homelessness is solvable, but it requires a level of leadership and investments that elected officials are hesitant to make.”

    • Respondents expect elected officials at all levels to do more on homelessness, with the greatest focus on governors and Members of Congress (both 74%), city councilmembers (71%), and mayors (68%).

    • A majority said homelessness can be solved with government policies that fund programs to provide shelter, services, and housing for people who are homeless (54%), followed by investments in mental health and substance use prevention (47%). Few (14%) believe that increased law enforcement will effectively address the issue.

  • Across all surveyed behaviors, the majority of respondents are not actively engaged with homelessness. Of note:

    • More than two-thirds (68%) have never volunteered with a homeless services organization.

    • Fewer than half (47%) have ever donated to an organization supporting people experiencing homelessness.

    • 61% have never actively researched the issue.

  • Nearly three-quarters of respondents (74%) trust the homeless services sector to handle the work of solving homelessness, polling higher than any other entity (including law enforcement, the private sector, and elected officials across all levels of government).

    • Most respondents (71%) believe that the field lacks the resources to make the needed impact."


Read the full summary here.


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