November is Homelessness Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the growing housing crisis and the people whose lives are affected by homelessness every day. As we take time to raise awareness, we recognize that homelessness is not just about the lack of a roof over one’s head—it is a complex issue that touches every part of society, with far-reaching consequences for individuals, families, and entire communities.
Four Types of Homelessness
Homelessness is not a one-size-fits-all experience. In fact, there are four distinct types of homelessness, each with its own set of challenges:
Transitional Homelessness occurs when someone experiences a major life change—such as fleeing domestic violence or losing a job—that forces them to temporarily lose their housing. This type of homelessness typically lasts for less than a year. People experiencing transitional homelessness often stay in temporary shelters, motels, or with friends and family until they can regain stability. While challenging, many can eventually get back on their feet with the right resources and support.
Episodic Homelessness is when someone experiences multiple phases of homelessness within the same year—usually three or more periods. This type of homelessness is often linked to underlying issues such as mental health challenges, substance abuse, or a lack of access to a stable income. While individuals may find temporary housing between episodes, they are at high risk of returning to homelessness and may need more intensive support to break the cycle.
Chronic Homelessness refers to individuals who have been homeless for more than a year and typically face ongoing challenges like debilitating health conditions—such as severe mental illness, substance use disorders, or physical disabilities—that make it extremely difficult to secure and maintain stable housing. Chronic homelessness is often the most visible and the most difficult to overcome without long-term support services like healthcare, addiction treatment, and social services.
Hidden Homelessness is the least visible and the hardest to quantify. This includes people who are couch surfing, sleeping in cars, or moving frequently between temporary accommodations. Because they do not appear in traditional homelessness statistics, they often fall through the cracks in public awareness and access to resources. Despite not having a permanent or secure place to live, many individuals experiencing hidden homelessness may not be counted in shelter or outreach efforts, making them the most overlooked and underserved population.
Homelessness in America: The Stark Reality
As we reflect on the types of homelessness, it's important to understand the broader context. 580,000 Americans are homeless on any given night, many of whom face a harsh and dangerous existence without access to shelter, food, or healthcare. While some of these individuals are in temporary shelters, others remain on the streets or in unsafe living conditions. And while 37.2 million Americans live below the poverty line, many more are just one setback away from joining the ranks of the homeless.
Ending homelessness requires collective action. We must recognize that everyone deserves a safe place to live, a warm meal, and the opportunity to thrive. By raising awareness and taking action, we can help ensure that no one must endure homelessness, whether it’s visible or hidden. This month let’s renew our commitment to supporting those affected by homelessness and work together to build a society where everyone can live with dignity, stability, and hope.
Help Us Provide a Thanksgiving Meal for Those in Need
This Thanksgiving help us spread warmth, hope, and nourishment to the individuals we serve at The Golden Lion, The Henning House, Merrill Field, and the Alex Hotel. We’re gathering donations to provide a hearty Thanksgiving meal for those on their journey to recovery.
We are in need of all the fixings for a traditional holiday meal—turkeys, stuffing, potatoes, instant mashed potatoes, and more! Your generosity can help bring comfort and a sense of belonging to those who need it most. Please donate items to our main office, 921 W 6th, STE 100 in downtown Anchorage.
Walking together to end homelessness,
Shawn Hays
Founder and Executive Director
Henning Inc.