There was a time when many Americans believed homeless people brought on their own troubles by substance abuse, poor money management and just plain laziness.

Now, most of us know better.

Some homelessness does result from those causes. However, there are now many other factors that can cause sober, hard-working, well-educated people to wind up on the streets.

Thousands of Americans have been struggling to keep from losing their homes during the last few years. Inflated mortgage and interest rates have cost many a family their dream home.

During the past few months, we’ve seen gas and oil prices rise steadily. Now, utility rates, food costs and the price of basic necessities continue to climb. Health insurance is beyond the reach of many individuals.

Many families in southern West Virginia are supported by two people, each bringing in only minimum wage. Lots of other single-parent families struggle on low incomes.

Lost wages from a sudden job layoff, the loss of a home because someone can’t keep up with the mortgage payments, a catastrophic illness for someone with limited or no health coverage all present real concerns about keeping a roof over our heads — literally.

This week, members of the Phi Sigma Phi fraternity at Mountain State University attempted to raise awareness — and funds — to combat homelessness by sleeping out on the street and collecting money for Pine Haven Homeless Services.

With cardboard boxes and thin pieces of plastic as their only shelter, four guys braved the cold nights and ate only when passersby or MSU staff brought them food. The fraternity brothers had done their homework by interviewing people at Pine Haven, getting some firsthand accounts of the kinds of circumstances that land people in homeless shelters or out on the street.

We shouldn’t let their efforts go to waste. We all need to become more aware of how we can help those who are homeless and to help relieve the conditions that lead to homelessness.

Part of that involves becoming more politically aware. We need to learn which politicians have the real interests of the economy and the well-being of the public at heart. We need to know where they stand on issues that will improve fair housing and better job opportunities.

We need to support agencies such as the United Way of Southern West Virginia and Pine Haven with our money and with our volunteer efforts.

We need to know about the services for the homeless and be able to steer people who need those services to the agencies where they can find food, clothing, shelter and a second shot at a better life.

Homelessness is everybody’s problem. We all need to become part of the solution.