
A Fistful of ACEs
An ideological war about homelessness is raging. Many on the right say substance abuse and mental illness cause homelessness. Many on the left emphasize the cost of housing. Those factors are real, but while living among and interviewing 80 men and women who had suffered long-term homelessness in Missouri, California, and Colorado, I learned more about what both sides underestimate: the impact of ACEs (“adverse childhood experiences”). ACEs include physical, sexual, or emotional abuse and other experiences that undermine any sense of safety and stability. Five out of six young homeless adults have been physically abused. Many have been sexually abused. Most have been otherwise neglected. Most homeless adults hold in their hands at least four ACEs, as the November Read More ›