Generational Poverty and Homelessness

The link between poverty and homelessness is clear. People don’t choose to be homeless if they can afford housing. But what exactly causes the kind of severe poverty that leads to homelessness?

Often, it’s attributed to substance abuse, mental illness, criminal behaviour, or other personal issues or traits. However, many individuals face one or all of these challenges and never end up homeless.

The reason for this lies in how we begin life—our families and circumstances—rather than our choices.

Problems like poverty are often generational, passed down from parent to child. Homelessness isn’t necessarily a result of how a child is raised, though it can be affected by a parent’s ability to provide good care.

What really matters is the resources or protective factors people have from the start. These protective factors make a huge difference when tough times hit. They’re critical in determining whether someone can recover after a setback or ends up homeless.

COMMON PROTECTIVE FACTORS

Family members who offer them a place to stay when they fall behind on rent
Social skills that help them hide their addiction from others
High social standing, which makes their drug use more accepted or tolerated
Good physical health

Whether someone has these advantages is a matter of luck, not choice. People who don’t have these things are not only more likely to become homeless, but they’ll also face greater challenges in getting out of it. And when they have children, these parents won’t have resources like money, stable housing, or a good reputation to support them. The children will be left to fend for themselves during tough times, and the problem becomes generational.

UNEVEN PLAYING FIELD

This is the same reason why kids who grow up in the foster care system often end up homeless. It’s why we see so many people with disabilities living on the streets and hear stories of homeless veterans. The lack of resources in these situations is obvious because it’s right in front of us. But we need to remember that even for homeless people who haven’t had a clear stroke of bad luck, there are often generational factors at play that stop them from being able to get back on their feet.

Even substance abuse, which many argue is a matter of personal character, is influenced by things outside of an individual’s control. The tendency towards substance abuse can be hereditary, just like mental health conditions. You can be genetically predisposed to drug addiction, making it difficult to avoid developing a substance use disorder and much harder to steer clear of relapse when recovering from one.

THE ROLE OF TRAUMA

The presence or absence of trauma plays a major role in generational homelessness. Experiencing trauma is a significant risk factor for becoming homeless. On the flip side, being shielded from trauma, or having strong support systems to help kids process and recover from it, serves as a key protective factor.

The issue is that poverty and homelessness greatly increase the chances that children will experience trauma. There’s a particularly strong connection between chronic homelessness—where homelessness lasts for an extended period—and trauma.

One study found that 64% of children who were chronically homeless had experienced abuse. This figure was much lower for children whose homelessness was temporary rather than long-term.

homeless person with Trauma text above them

TRAUMA IS A RISK FACTOR FOR HOMELESSNESS

Trauma is a severe risk factor because it results in higher rates of mental health disorders and behavioural issues. In the worst cases, children may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which, if left untreated, can increase the risk of homelessness. Other conditions and symptoms associated with trauma include:

Anxiety
Depression
Aggression
Physical health problems such as high blood pressure and elevated heart rate
Distractibility
Substance abuse

LONG TERM CONSEQUENCES OF TRAUMA

Kids who experience trauma are more likely to skip school, be expelled, and face rejection from those meant to support them. They’re less likely to attend university or secure good jobs. With fewer healthy coping strategies, they may turn to alcohol or drugs to manage their challenges. Ultimately, they are more likely to face poverty and homelessness.

Trauma can even alter brain chemistry. A person’s fight-or-flight response can become more sensitive after trauma, causing everyday events to trigger the same release of cortisol and adrenaline in the brain. This heightened response creates significant anxiety. Recent research also suggests that the effects of trauma on a person’s genes can be passed down to future generations.

HOW CAN WE FIX IT?

The good news is that what we do to support homeless people today can have positive effects for generations to come. We need to start viewing investment in our communities as a way to prevent homelessness. By funding mental health and substance abuse programs, we’re not just addressing the symptoms of homelessness—we’re also investing in its prevention.

Mental health and substance abuse issues among homeless people are sometimes overlooked because basic needs like food and shelter are seen as the priority. However, healing from trauma is essential before someone can learn to meet their own needs. Without emotional healing, a person will always feel they’re in danger. They can’t focus on prevention until they can distinguish between a real and perceived threat.

UNDERSTANDING GENERATIONAL POVERTY

Gaining a deeper understanding of generational trauma helps us become more compassionate. It’s easy to look down on homeless people and assume their actions led them to their current situation. However, in almost every case, there are far more complex factors at play, many of which were beyond that person’s control.

To support a future where homeless people can truly have control over their lives, consider writing to your legislators and helping local charities. Request improved programs that focus on generational homelessness, including therapeutic services and family-centred support. Share this message widely to raise awareness about the true nature of homelessness.

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