Opinions Editor Jonathan Saucedo is a three-year member of the Wildcat Chronicle who frequently writes opinion pieces. The views expressed in this piece are his own.
America is facing numerous economic challenges, including climate change, drug trafficking, and recovery from COVID-19. Among these issues, homelessness stands out as a visible and pervasive problem that reflects broader systemic failures, yet it is often overshadowed by other national priorities. This is not just a national crisis but one that hits close to home, including right here in DuPage County. As a result, the country’s reputation has suffered, and it is often ridiculed by other nations. Many of these issues are complex and require significant time and effort to address. However, homelessness is one crisis that could be addressed with targeted, immediate solutions.
Homelessness in America has been a significant national issue since the end of the Civil War in the 1870s. Post-war displacement, combined with economic downturns and systemic inequities, laid the foundation for what has become a persistent issue in modern America.
Locally, DuPage County conducted a Point-in-Time count in January 2023, which identified a number of individuals experiencing homelessness in the surrounding community. This count, though critical for understanding the scope of homelessness here, is likely an undercount, as it does not capture individuals who are couch-surfing or living in unstable housing. The reasons for homelessness are varied and include a lack of affordable housing, increased unemployment—especially following the COVID-19 pandemic—addiction, poverty, and discrimination. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which focuses on providing housing and community development assistance, 653,104 individuals were headcounted as homeless in a single night in 2023. (This figure represents a 12.1% increase from the previous year.)
In comparison, the local homelessness rate remains significantly lower than the national average, but even one person without shelter is too many in a community as resource-rich as DuPage County.
Additionally, rising inflation has made it increasingly difficult for many individuals and families to find stable housing. DuPage County residents, like many others across Illinois, face a rising cost of living that has outpaced wage growth, making housing increasingly unaffordable. According to the Illinois Department of Human Services, statewide plans are underway to prevent and address homelessness, but more localized action is needed to tackle gaps in services within communities like West Chicago.
When individuals face job loss and financial instability, they often experience a cascade of hardships, from losing their homes to suffering from mental health challenges. As a result, they may turn to drugs to numb their pain. Substances have become easily accessible to the public, making them a significant coping mechanism not only for homeless individuals but also for those who are struggling in general, often leading them down a painful path.
“It’s not uncommon to discover that the men and women in many shelters are burdened by grief. Unable to deal with the death of a loved one or other significant trauma, they numb their pain in addiction. Addiction and apathy lead to the loss of job and home. They simply stop caring if they live or die. Grief becomes a roadblock to living,” a writer for the Arlington Life Shelter said.
This sentiment is echoed by organizations like the DuPage County Continuum of Care, which works to address these underlying issues but often faces resource constraints.
The United States allocated over 916 billion US dollars to the military in 2023. Despite the importance of protecting the nation, the military often does not fully utilize the equipment it purchases, leaving resources underused. By reallocating even a small portion of this funding to local programs, DuPage County could expand initiatives like permanent supportive housing, which has been shown to reduce chronic homelessness.While national defense is crucial, the excessive spending raises questions. The military often doesn’t fully utilize the equipment purchased. This raises concerns, especially when considering other pressing issues like economic challenges and homelessness. Some may suggest that going to a homeless shelter can be beneficial in the short term.
However, in the long run, a homeless shelter primarily provides food and warmth, but it often fails to address the deeper physical and mental health issues faced by individuals. Shelters, while well-meaning, are increasingly overcrowded and underfunded, providing only temporary relief rather than long-term solutions. In DuPage County, the lack of affordable housing options compounds this issue, as those who leave shelters often find it impossible to secure stable housing in the area.
While organizations may take individuals in, they often do not provide a pathway out of their situation, leaving those in dire need to rely on shelters that are unable to offer them the help they truly need. Despite America’s wealth, many citizens of America are homeless. Reallocating a small fraction of the military budget to housing initiatives could drastically improve conditions for the homeless, enabling them to escape the cycle of poverty and despair.
“The US military budget is three times larger than that of China and twelve times greater than Russia’s. Even after spending cuts, the United States would remain by far the greatest military power in the world, capable of defending against any conceivable military threat,” David Cortright, director of the Global Policy Initiative, special advisor for policy studies, and professor emeritus of the practice at the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, said.
Homelessness is a problem that can be fixed relatively quickly compared to other economic issues and would greatly benefit the nation. Providing long-term housing solutions would not only restore dignity to those on the streets, but also reduce the economic burden associated with emergency healthcare, policing, and shelter maintenance. Locally, investing in programs like those outlined in the “Home Illinois” plan could provide West Chicago and surrounding areas with a roadmap to prevent homelessness and support vulnerable populations.
While some homeless individuals may have contributed to their situation, everyone deserves a second chance because everyone makes mistakes: it is only human. Providing them with housing would help them integrate better into society and may motivate them to find employment, making them contributing members of society. This would boost economic growth and bring comfort to citizens who have struggled on the streets, which should be a priority for the government.
Although America already has its fair share of problems, concentrating on creating homes for those in need could benefit our society and help many people involved and not involved with the homeless. By addressing homelessness with strategic investments and compassion, lives can be transformed, and the fabric of communities can be rebuilt, starting with local neighborhoods.