MAR 16, 2025 9:00 PM EST
By Brandon D. Warren
Embedded Files
Homelessness in America:
The Crisis, The Cost, and Why Shelters Aren’t Enough
6 min read
Why The True Nation Project Is a Necessary Solution
The Reality: A Nation in Crisis
America is facing a homelessness crisis unlike anything we’ve seen before. On a single night in 2024, over 771,480 people were recorded as homeless across the country—a staggering 18% increase from 2023.
That's not just a statistic. That's families. Veterans. Children. Men and women who once had jobs, homes, and dreams, now sleeping on streets, in cars, or in makeshift shelters.
"We cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering happening on our streets," said Senator Alex Padilla in response to the latest homelessness report. "This crisis demands action, not just words."
And yet, billions of dollars are poured into homelessness programs every year, with little to no lasting impact.
The Money: Why Nonprofits and Government Programs Aren’t Enough
The U.S. allocates more than $10.3 billion annually toward homelessness assistance programs. The HUD budget alone for 2024 increased by 6% to address the growing issue.
Nonprofits also raise millions each year, yet despite the funding, homelessness is rising faster than ever before.
Why?
Because funding alone doesn't fix the problem—systems do.
Many traditional programs focus on temporary relief rather than long-term solutions. The government spends billions on shelters and short-term housing, but these solutions fail to address the root causes of homelessness, such as:
Lack of job opportunities and skill development
Mental health and substance use issues with no long-term treatment plans
Housing costs rising faster than wages
A broken cycle that keeps people dependent rather than independent
"We’ve created a revolving door of homelessness," said Representative Pramila Jayapal. "We need to be investing in solutions that actually help people rebuild their lives, not just survive for another day."
The Problem: Why Shelters Are Not Enough
Shelters play an important role in keeping people safe at night, but they are not a permanent solution.
Overcrowded & Underfunded: Many shelters in major cities report being at 100% capacity every night, forcing thousands to sleep outside.
Dangerous Conditions: In some cities, 40% of unsheltered individuals say they avoid shelters due to violence, theft, and lack of privacy.
No Path to Stability: A bed for a night doesn’t lead to a home. Most shelters provide no skills training, no job placement, and no long-term stability.
If shelters worked as a solution, the numbers wouldn’t be getting worse every year.
The Solution: The True Nation Project
This is where we come in. The True Nation Project isn’t just about housing the homeless—it’s about empowering them.
We recognize that we can’t save everyone, but we can make a difference by freeing up space for those who need more intensive care while guiding others toward full independence.
Here’s what sets The True Nation Project apart:
✅ A One-Year Program – We provide not just shelter, but skills training, employment opportunities, and personal growth programs so individuals can rebuild their lives.
✅ Housing That Builds Itself – Each year, participants help construct new housing for the next group, creating a self-sustaining model.
✅ Job Training & Education – We don’t just give people a place to sleep—we give them a future through hands-on job training in farming, construction, and skilled trades.
✅ A Community of Support – We believe in mentorship and teamwork, making sure every participant leaves stronger, more capable, and ready to thrive.
This model works because it doesn’t just provide temporary aid—it creates permanent change.
Why We Need Your Help
We cannot do this alone. Homelessness is not just a government problem, nor is it just a nonprofit problem—it is a community problem, and the only way to fix it is together.
The True Nation Project is calling on:
🔹 Volunteers – to mentor, train, and help us build the next generation of homes
🔹 Donors – to invest in a program that actually works
🔹 Advocates – to spread the word and change the conversation about homelessness
Jim Ziolkowski, founder and CEO of buildOn:
"Each of us has the power to take action, to light a fire and be the ignition for others."
The True Nation Project is not just a shelter. It’s not just a nonprofit. It’s a movement to redefine how we help people rise again.
📢 Help us make real change.
✔️ Share this article to spread awareness.
✔️ Follow us on social media for updates.
✔️ Get involved and be part of something bigger than yourself.
Let’s not wait for someone else to fix this problem. Let’s build the solution together.
Sources:
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD Report 2024)
National Alliance to End Homelessness (State of Homelessness 2024)
Reuters (U.S. Homelessness Hits Record High)
NPR (Why Shelters Are Overwhelmed)
Wall Street Journal (Homelessness Costs America Billions)
Google Sites
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