Addiction Causes Homelessness, Most Believe
November 15th, 2007 Posted by: Dr. Cox
A new Gallup poll finds that most Americans think homelessness is largely caused by alcohol and other drug abuse, but still think more should be done to address the problem, the Associated Press reported Nov. 14.
The poll, funded by mortgage company Fannie Mae, found that more than 80 percent of the 1,000 people polled blamed addiction for causing homelessness, while about 70 percent cited mental illness. By comparison, only 67 percent thought homelessness was caused by insufficient income, and 65 percent cited job loss.
Ninety-two percent of those polled said more effort is needed to prevent homelessness.