November is recognized as National Homelessness Awareness Month–As the weather turns colder and the season of giving begins, this month serves as an important reminder of the power of compassion, community, and advocacy. It’s an opportunity for all of us to learn more, challenge misconceptions, and support efforts that provide shelter, resources, and hope for those facing homelessness.

Unfortunately, misconceptions about homelessness remain widespread, often clouding understanding and hindering progress. One of the most persistent myths is that homelessness is a personal choice or the result of poor decisions, when in reality, the leading causes are a lack of affordable housing and limited access to support.

Studies show that 68% of individuals experiencing homelessness cite unaffordable rent as the primary barrier to stable housing, while only about 20% identify substance use as the main cause–underscoring that homelessness stems far more from systemic barriers than individual failings.

Another common misunderstanding is that most people who are homeless struggle with mental illness or are dangerous. While mental health challenges do affect some, research shows that only about one-third experience a serious mental illness–and people experiencing homelessness are far more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators.

Additionally, many assume homelessness is a permanent state, but for most, it is temporary and triggered by crises such as job loss, medical emergencies, or eviction. On any given night in 2023, an estimated 582,462 individuals in the United States were homeless, demonstrating just how widespread and urgent this issue truly is.

The causes of homelessness are complex and deeply interconnected, with the primary driver being a severe shortage of affordable housing as rents outpace wages. Economic instability, underemployment, medical debt, and inflation can quickly push families into crisis, while systemic inequities, domestic violence, limited mental health care, and weak social safety nets compound the issue.

In rural areas, scarce services and transportation make recovery even harder. Homelessness is not a single-issue problem but the result of overlapping social and economic challenges that require coordinated solutions.

For women and children, domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness — accounting for an estimated 50% of those who are unhoused after fleeing abusive situations. While poverty and the lack of affordable housing are major contributors, domestic violence often forces survivors to leave home suddenly, with nowhere safe to go.

To address these challenges, WRAP provided 48 individuals with 542 nights of safe shelter — though that number doesn’t capture the many survivors who do not disclose abuse when seeking help elsewhere, including those couch-hopping, staying with friends or family, or living in their vehicles.

Beyond emergency shelter, WRAP assisted individuals 1,026 times with relocation support, helping them secure safe housing, connect with shelters outside the agency, and access vital resources to reduce their risk of homelessness.

In today’s policy landscape, the future for those experiencing homelessness is both hopeful and uncertain. Federal initiatives like the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness’s All In plan reflect a growing commitment to collaborative, root-cause-focused solutions, and public support remains strong, with 83% of Americans believing that addressing homelessness is a government responsibility.

Yet challenges persist–homelessness rose by 18% in early 2024 due to the end of pandemic-era aid and a nationwide shortage of more than seven million affordable rental units. Lasting progress will require sustained funding, political will, and compassionate, effective policies. Still, individuals and communities can make a meaningful difference by supporting local shelters, volunteering, and advocating for affordable housing. Embracing “housing first” initiatives and extending empathy instead of judgment help reduce stigma and build stronger, more inclusive communities where everyone has the chance to thrive.

As we honor National Homelessness Awareness Month, let us remember that ending homelessness begins with empathy, awareness, and collective action. Every person deserves the safety, dignity, and stability of a place to call home–and together, we can help make that a reality.

Change begins when we choose to see, to care, and to act–because no one should ever have to face homelessness alone.

— Becci tenBensel is executive director of Womens Rural Advocacy Programs