As experts debate over the fractional rises in interest rates and statistics on days on market, many Americans are losing the fight for a roof over their heads.

Homelessness is almost a four letter word for some -- a four letter word that lives under the bridge we drove over last night to go to our air conditioned home, cable tv, and homecooked meal. The issue gets a blind eye, because many times the problem seems too far removed from ourselves. Or it gets a blind eye because it is assumed that the homeless are homeless because they choose to be.

But we need only step back and analyze the facts of even the last two quarters in the housing market to see some shocking information. When it comes to housing, rents are rising; the national average is over $900 a month.

This means that if a worker is making minimum wage ($5.15 per hour), they will make around $824 a month before taxes -- not enough to make a rental payment and still pay for other living costs -- which are rapidly on the rise.

Foreclosure rates are up. Just a few short months ago, Realty Times reported that "the number of homes entering the foreclosure process increased by 323,102 properties. That's 72 percent higher than a year earlier." When interest rates were at record lows over the past few years, many buyers entered into interest only and adjustable rate mortgage loans -- wonderful options for many who have a smaller cash flow at the time -- but a sure recipe for failure when interest rates begin to rise (they have) and the interest only payments stop and the larger, interest plus principal payments begin.

As shown by the foreclosure statistics, many homeowners are finding their monthly payments are more than they can handle. If the home cannot sell -- then it goes into foreclosure -- and the one time homeowner is left picking up the pieces of their broken credit.

Homelessness is a growing epidemic. The National Coalition for the Homeless reports that while the exact number is impossible to quantify, the number of individuals in shelters has more than doubled -- that's right -- doubled -- over the last decade. In the city of Washinton D.C. alone -- where housing prices went through the roof over the last 5 years -- over 12,000 people are homeless. Why? The primary causes of homelessness are the lack of affordable housing, the lack of living wage jobs or sufficient income, and the lack of adequate health and supportive services. (COHHIO)

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reports some more interesting statistics:

• 44 percent did paid work during the past month -- contrary to many people's idea that the homeless don't work

• 49 percent of homeless clients are in their first episode of homelessness

• 28 percent say they sometimes or often do not get enough to eat

• 46 percent report having chronic health conditions such as arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes, or cancer; 55 percent have no health insurance

• 34 percent are part of a family with children

But many cities and states are taking decisive action.

The Mayor of New York, Michael R. Bloomberg, noted this month, "To rid our society of homelessness we must first liberate ourselves from the chains of conventional wisdom, from the fetters of political correctness, from the tyranny of the advocates and their unwillingness to admit that we’re ever making progress."

And perhaps that is the first step -- changing our mindset about what causes homelessness and helping our fellow citizen to gain something we take for granted -- a home.

On July 17th of this year, Mayor Bloomberg announced a new measure to move more homeless from the streets into more stable conditions -- and to provide enhanced service to families moving out of homelessness.

The California Department of Housing and Community Development recently announced that it will be allocating $20 million to its own cause, known as Proposition 46, where funds are allocated to provide for housing opportunities for those in need in the San Diego area.

Governor Schwarzenegger issued a statement regarding the funding, saying, "When I became Governor, I ordered that Proposition 46 funding be expedited so homes and shelters could be built more quickly. I am also proud to announce the first award of funds from my Initiative to End Chronic Homelessness. The award is given to a project in the city of Santa Cruz dedicated to helping chronically homeless individuals receive the shelter and services they need to regain a healthy and productive life."

The funds are expected to help 412 families in their time of need -- in the forms of new and rental housing.

And just like a similar initiative in Hawaii late in 2005 to provide affordable housing in markets that cater to high income buyers, $500,000 will be "awarded through the Workforce Housing Reward Program, which provides financial incentives to cities and counties for issuance of building permits for 141 new homes affordable to lower income households."

But how does this affect you? How does this affect the housing market?

As more low-income and homeless buyers enter into aid programs, more buyers will enter the marketplace -- good news since the market has seen a considerable slowdown over the last year.

Increases in minimum wage could have the same effect -- increasing the number of sales and thus jumpstarting the market.

There will be increased need for affordable housing options -- rental and sale -- all across the country.

What can you do to help?

Many cities offer fund raising programs, just as Washington D.C.'s "Help the Homeless Walkathon " scheduled for November 18th, 2006, which is run by Fannie Mae. You can contact your local city government to see if similar events are set to take place.

Contact your local homeless shelter or soup kitchen to see if they are in need of donations (monetary and otherwise) or could use volunteers.

For more resources, please visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services by clicking here .