Advocacy & Resources

There are many reasons why a person can become homeless and every person's story is different. Some people don't make enough money to pay rent even if they work. And some people can't find jobs. Others have disabilities that prevent them from working.

Many people experience homelessness for a short period of time and some people are homeless for longer spells.

What is the scope of the problem?

In Philadelphia, in August 2007, there were:

698 people living on the street
500 families in emergency housing, including 1200 children
2200 single adults in emergency shelter

Nationally, it is estimated that 1.6 million people experience homelessness in a year.

These numbers can seem daunting, but everyone can be a part of the solution of ending homelessness.

What can I do to help?

There are many ways you can help including volunteering your time, contributing to organizations fighting homelessness and advocating for policies that will bring positive change. Depaul USA also encourages you to educate yourself about the problem of homelessness and what we can do to change it. For more resources about homelessness, check here.

If you need to refer someone experiencing homelessness for help, check here.

If you are interested in touring Depaul USA to learn more about solutions to homelessness, you can contact us here.