In 1975, a group of students at Villanova University founded Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Their goal was to bring greater attention and empathy to these issues and to mobilize support for systemic change. Since its inception, the week has grown tremendously, with thousands of schools, universities, and community groups across the country now participating. These organizations hold countless events each year, focusing on education, service, fundraising, and advocacy. These efforts are vital, as the number of individuals affected by hunger and homelessness each year is truly staggering. In 2023 alone, more than 650,000 individuals in the United States experienced homelessness, a 12% increase from 2022.
While this is a tragic situation, many still believe that homelessness is a personal choice and that it could never affect them. This perception could not be further from the truth. Over half of Americans now live paycheck to paycheck, just one crisis away from experiencing homelessness themselves (United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, n.d). This issue is not one the Columbus community can afford to ignore. In January of 2024, a count by the Community Shelter Board found 2,380 individuals experiencing homelessness in Columbus (Community Shelter Board, n.d). From 2022 to 2023 this rate increased 23%, reaching an all-time high in 2023 and again in 2024. Moreover, as Columbus continues to expand, this rate is expected to increase by 68% in the next three years. Finally, the rate of chronic homelessness (those unhoused for over a year) has also sharply risen, increasing 70% from 2022-2024.
The growing rate of homelessness is an issue that deserves our attention, especially as it continues to rise both nationally and within our own community. Beyond the sheer numbers, there are numerous obstacles faced by individuals experiencing homelessness, including mental and physical health problems, domestic abuse, challenges to employment, and legal issues. These factors are prevalent in homeless populations and complicate their ability to rebuild their lives.
When reading these statistics, it is easy to become lost in the numbers and forget that these represent real people—individuals who share the same goals, fears, loves, and humanity as anyone else. Above all, homelessness is a humanitarian problem. Having a place to call home is more than just safety and security; it is about privacy, familiarity, comfort, and the ability to rebuild one’s life with dignity and stability.
At CHN, our purpose is to provide individuals experiencing homelessness with the stability and care they need to work toward a safer today and a better tomorrow. We do this by creating permanent homes for our residents and providing essential support services such as mental health counseling, life skills development, and job training. None of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors, whose support is critical in helping us meet the growing need in our community. To learn more about our organization and find out how you can make a difference, please visit our website at any of the links below.
