On a single night in January 2023, more than 582,000 people in the United States were experiencing homelessness — a number that hides thousands of individual stories of fear, illness, and resilience. HUD's 2023 AHAR shows how housing instability and health are tightly bound.
Meet Marisol (name changed). After a violent seizure left her without steady work, she lost her apartment and drifted between shelters. When a community program connected her with a supported housing unit and epilepsy care, she began to sleep through the night again. That stability let her return to treatment, rebuild relationships, and regain purpose.
Why housing and health are linked
Housing is health care in practice: without a safe place to sleep, people miss appointments, can’t store medication, and face higher stress that worsens mental and neurological conditions. Globally, the WHO reports that mental disorders affect a large share of the population — underscoring the need for systems that combine medical care with stable homes. In the U.S., about 3.4 million people live with active epilepsy, many of whom need ongoing support beyond clinic walls.
Evidence supports solutions: Housing First programs — which prioritize permanent housing without preconditions — reduce hospitalizations, increase treatment engagement, and create the platform people need to recover.
Who is already showing the way
- Epilepsy Foundation provides seizure education, advocacy, and connects people to services that can be lifesaving.
- National Alliance to End Homelessness promotes evidence-based housing solutions and policy change.
- HUD data and programs guide local community development that links housing and health services.
"There is no health without mental health." — World Health Organization
Stories like Marisol's are heartbreaking and hopeful at once: when housing, epilepsy care, and mental health supports come together, people regain dignity and contribution. You can help turn statistics into stories of recovery.
Take action today: consider donating to or volunteering with organizations such as the Epilepsy Foundation, support local Housing First initiatives, or reach out to your representatives to fund integrated housing and mental health services. Small acts — a financial gift, an hour of volunteering, a shared post — join to build safer streets and healthier communities.
There is a path forward: stable homes, coordinated care, and community commitment can transform lives. Be part of that change.
