At any given time today in America, there are about half a million people who are "homeless" -- they don't have a “permanent, safe, decent, affordable place to live.” Around the world there are about 100 million homeless people, and many of them are women and children.

Homelessness is one of the world's most serious problems. While there are many reasons why people become homeless, including mental illness, drugs and domestic violence, most people are homeless because they can't afford a decent place to live. Housing prices have skyrocketed, but wages for lower skilled workers have remained stable and many urban areas continue to be economically depressed. One third of the homeless in America are families!

Homeless shelters and emergency shelters, operated by nonprofit organizations, religious institutions, and local municipalities, can only provide shelter for a fraction of the homeless families in need. Many are forced to live out of their cars, or in garages, or move from place to place, staying with friends and relatives. Even short periods of homelessness can result in depression and child neglect, but many families are homeless for months or even years.

In order to end homelessness, we have to help those who are homeless find immediate shelter, and affordable housing for the long-term. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the members of the United Nations in 1948, declares that shelter is a basic human right that all are entitled to. Our economic system needs to change in order to do a better job of ensuring that everyone hasa chance to find affordable, decent and stable housing.

Every year since 1990, the National Coalition for the Homeless sponsors National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day around December 21 -- the first day of winter and the longest night of the year -- to help raise awareness about the growing problem of homelessness in America. This day is an opportunity for you to speak to your family, friends, and community about the many causes and solutions to homelessness. It's a time you can have a food or clothing drive or volunteer your time in a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. It's a chance to write to local, state and national leaders to advocate for policies and programs that serve the homeless and create more affordable housing.