One of the most glaring barriers to people getting the help they need is the requirement for sobriety. As studies have shown, most become a PUD after becoming homeless, and they are forced to turn to substances to cope with their existing trauma or that of which they are experiencing during intense instability. Lack of sound policy decisions create housing insecurity for the individual, not their habits relating to substances, which is evidenced by the fact that more people who are housed experience overdoses leading to death than those who are left unsheltered. Many folks especially people who have femme or queer identities rely on unwanted sex work or are made vulnerable to assault while experiencing homelessness which subjects them to the sometimes helpful remedies of substances to cope. In addition, many people experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness are aged out of foster care with no solid opportunity to gain skills that could make it easier for them to obtain employment, community support , and housing.