Foreclosures on landlords often lead to the eviction of their tenants. "The Sarasota, Florida, Herald Tribune noted that, by some estimates, more than 311,000 tenants nationwide have been evicted from homes this year after lenders took over the properties. "Rent regulation also has a small effect on shelter and street populations. This is largely due to rent control reducing the quality and quantity of housing. For example, a 2019 study found that San Franciscos rent control laws reduced tenant displacement from rent controlled units in the short-term, but resulted in landlords removing 30% of the rent controlled units from the rental market, (by conversion to condos or TICs) which led to a 15% citywide decrease in total rental units, and a 7% increase in citywide rents. Economics
A substantial percentage of the US homeless population are individuals who are chronically unemployed, or have trouble managing their expenses. This can lead to poverty. Factors that can lead to economic struggle include neighbourhood gentrification (as previously discussed), drug addiction or gambling addiction, job loss, debt, chronic overspending of money, loss of money and/or assets due to divorce, death of breadwinning spouse, being denied jobs due to discrimination, living off of welfare or disability income, and many others. Poverty
Poverty is a significant factor in homelessness. Alleviation of poverty, as a result, plays an essential role in eliminating homelessness. Some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have studied ‘unconditional cash transfers’ (UCTs) to low-income families and individuals to reduce poverty in developing countries.
Single room occupancy (more commonly abbreviated to SRO):a form of housing that is typically aimed at residents with low or minimal incomes who rent small, furnished single rooms with a bed, chair, and sometimes a small desk. SRO units are rented out as permanent residence or primary residence to individuals, within a multi-tenant building where tenants share a kitchen, toilets or bathrooms. In the 2010s, some SRO units may have a small refrigerator, microwave and sink. (also called a "residential hotel"). Squatting in an unoccupied structure where a homeless person may live without payment and without the owners knowledge or permission. Often these buildings are long abandoned and not safe to occupy. Tent cities: ad hoc campsites of tents and improvised shelters consisting of tarpaulins and blankets, often near industrial and institutionally zoned real estate such as rail yards, highways and high transportation veins. A few more elaborate tent cities, such as Dignity Village, are hybrids of tent cities and shantytowns. Tent cities frequently consist only of tents and fabric improvised structures, with no semi-permanent structures at all. Outdoors: on the ground or in a sleeping bag, tent, or improvised shelter, such as a large cardboard box, under a bridge, in an urban doorway, in a park or a vacant lot. Tunnels such as abandoned subway, maintenance, or train tunnels are popular among the long-term or permanent homeless. The inhabitants of such refuges are called in some places, like New York City, "Mole People". Natural caves beneath urban centers allow for places where people can congregate.