"Homelessness is an increasingly visible humanitarian crisis and easy solutions have defied policymakers for decades," Howard Koh, a professor of the practice of public health from Harvard University told CTVNews.ca in an interview.Koh was the 14th assistant secretary for health for the U.S department of health and human services after being nominated by then-U.S. president Barack Obama."If we identify those better, particularly through academic work, and then partner with leaders in the community, and at the state and federal level, maybe we can prevent the suffering going forward."Many have mental illnesses, substance abuse problems and have suffered traumatic events due to homelessness, making it a challenge for surveyors and researchers to form relationships with them."Historically research has definitely taken a lot from populations that they may be studying, particularly ones that are experiencing disadvantages," John Ecker, director of research & evaluation at the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness told CTVNews.ca in an interview over the phone."