Homelessness Abstract How does homelessness occurs in the society? Is it because of economic recession, the government inadequacies to provide jobs, lack of cheap housing or inherited through poor family? Does people that are born poor becomes homeless? According to Hombs (2001) “ A homeless is anyone who lacks adequate shelter, resources, and community ties” (p.5). Many people became homeless because of poverty, a situation that can occur because of unavoidable financial expenses or can be manifested through generation-to-generation of poverty.
Who are the homeless? The Armed Forces represent a large portion of the homeless population in America (roughly 20-25%). Most people don’t consider the factors that contribute to homelessness such as mental illness or armed forces veterans suffering from their own trauma etc. Far too many veterans are homeless in the united state a number that staggers around 130,000 to 200,000 on any given day representing between one fourth and one fifth of all homeless (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2007). Why negative stereotypes have been created for the homeless?
There are many causes to the rise in homelessness, and the way they are overlooked, or brushed aside. Most homeless people are down on their luck, temporarily, because of circumstances beyond their control. Anyone could be faced with these sorts of circumstances and become homeless at any time. One cause is the recent downturn in the economy. Jobs are scarce and homes are expensive.
3) National reports estimate that veterans compose between 24% to 40% of the homeless population. Many of these veterans are homeless due to the general causes of homeless, but it is believed that an additional reason is due to the long-term effects of untreated Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. (National Coalition for Homeless, 2008b). Although the majority of homeless individuals are men, women and children are becoming homeless at a disturbing increasing rate. Some of the general causes of homelessness such as affordable housing and poor access to support networks are especially challenging for women and children experiencing domestic violence, who are estimated to comprise of between 46% to 92% of homeless
Research, shelters, law enforcement, health care, programs, jails and countless labor hours are focused on the problem. The HUD director in an interview stated that cost less money to actually house a person than to continue to support them while they are homeless. (Donovan, 2012) What are the causes of homelessness? The causes of homelessness are lack of affordable housing, unemployment, poverty, mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence, and teen displacement to name a few. One of the leading causes across the board is lack of affordable housing.
Student’s Name Instructor Joslin Communications 1101 Date of the Essay Neglect of the Unfortunate The United States of America is one of the wealthiest nations in the world, yet we as citizens are plagued with senseless social issues such as homelessness and insufficient facilities for the mentally challenged. In the article “Facts and Figures: The Homeless,” the author states that “one approximation of the annual number of homeless in America estimates between 2.3 and 3.5 million people experience homelessness with some 58 percent of them living in shelters and 42 percent unsheltered.” The government, aware of the situation, does not take sufficient action to resolve these
According to the Homeless Resource Network (2007) some of the current reasons for homelessness are loss of jobs, declines in public assistance, post traumatic stress disorder (many veterans are homeless because of this), domestic violence, drug and alcohol problems, mental illness, and lack of affordable housing. Some people struggle with a few of these issues, some struggle with a combination or some even struggle with all of them. Let’s look into some of these issues further. The National Coalition for the Homeless published a fact sheet in August 2007 stating that lack of employment opportunities and a decline in public assistance are major contributors of homelessness. Declining wages have put affordable housing out of reach for many.
Many studies have found that the homeless population has reached to the figure of 4 million in America that has altered the image of the homeless people as being beggars, hobos and winos. Today homelessness has become a non-transitional long term phenomenon. Homelessness has been observed to be rising despite the relative economic prosperity. Thus, in my opinion, homelessness in America is a very complex issue that has various factors involved behind it. However, homelessness basically arise due to extreme poverty and hence, it directly relates to the forces in capitalism that are responsible for the increase in poverty.
Due to their severe disabilities and limited incomes, disabled adults have an extremely difficult time securing permanent housing in the competitive market. Ending homelessness for disabled people means building permanent, affordable housing specifically designed to meet their various needs. This group represents some of the most vulnerable people in our community and, when left on the streets, they represent significant expense to local taxpayers. The following are some of the other significant
Homelessness There are many reasons why a person can become homeless. In 2008 the survey on homelessness in the United States stated that 664,414 people lived in shelters, in transitional housing, and on the street on a single night in January. Also about 1.6 million people were homeless throughout the year of 2008. The government also suggests that at least 3 million people are homeless for at least one night a year. The majority of the people who are homeless admit to not working, but about 20% of homeless people have at least a part time job.