In 2025, at least 745,652 people will be homeless overnight in the US. Although this is a 3.3% decrease from the previous year, it is a surprising number. Chronic homelessness increased 2 percent nationally to an estimated 155,750 (US Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2026).
Individuals and families become homeless for many reasons: inability to pay a mortgage or rent due to unemployment, serious illness or death of a family member, loss of income for other reasons, or chronic poverty. Having a place to call home is essential for the basic needs of shelter, stability, safety and access to work, school and services. The wide-ranging effects of homelessness are far-reaching for individuals and communities, and the psychological impact of experiencing homelessness is profound at any age.
When people are displaced from their homes, the nature of the places they next occupy (car, street, camp, shelter) causes them to become largely or even completely separated from society. The nature of their communication with others and the ability to define their own actions can change dramatically. They may be forced to occupy spaces over which they have limited control, which undermines not only their autonomy but also their sense of self (Mayock, 2023).
Trauma central to the history of many homeless youth. Helping to overcome the trauma of homelessness is rare, and past trauma can be a powerful force in the present—not to mention the trauma of losing or not having a home. Notes, extreme vigilance, self harmand drug or alcoholic beverages abuse is often a form of trauma that can shape or perpetuate youth experiences of homelessness (Parr, 2024).
In a large systematic review of 205 studies on how people experiencing homelessness are stigmatized and discriminated against (Canham et al., 2024), the results showed a large number of patterns. stigma and discrimination may cause additional psychological damage or harmful consequences to the sense of self. People surveyed felt unwelcome in public places or were limited in the places they could go. They felt as though they were all treated as a homogenous group with substance abuse or mental illness.
Discrimination and stigmatization can be based on age, race or ethnicity. sexual the minority subscribes to stereotypically negative perceptions of others, adding to the psychological burden of experiencing homelessness.
Homelessness is a chronic stress that stays with you day and night. The impact is even greater when already traumatized people are left homeless. Disturbances in the stress response system can lead to overstimulation distrust even those who tried to help.
It is important to recognize that home is not just a physical space, but it is very important. The main aspect of the house is the feeling of security. If we are lucky enough to feel safe at home, it can serve as a shelter. It can be comforting to know that it exists and to think about it. If the house a stressful or in an unsafe place—such as an abusive home, shelter, or street—we cannot find the peaceful physical and mental space we need.
Most of our days are spent in public spaces, where we construct and present a public self, subtly or dramatically changing it depending on the context. We all need a space that allows us to let go of our defenses and feel that our true selves can emerge, be accepted, and be safe. Without physical safety, psychological safety is impossible, and both are necessary for health and well-being.
