Category: Homelessness

Introduction

Due to social status, homeless people in the US are vulnerable to health problems compared to people who are drawn from high socio-economic status. Many homeless persons also tend to belong to low socio-economic families (Johnson & Haigh, 2012). Ensuring good health for such persons calls for the creation of a means of accessing quality healthcare for all people within a nation. This paper discusses the nature of vulnerabilities of homeless people in the US.

Nature of Vulnerability

People experience the problem of homelessness when they do not have places to live in with peace, dignity, and good security. People who are considered homelessness include those who sleep in vehicles, those who live with their friends on temporary shelters, refugees, and those persons who live in houses that do not have tenure security. The nature of the problem of homelessness depends on the adopted definition. Indeed, all persons who do not have regular, enough, and fixed residence are legislatively considered homeless. They also include people who sleep in private or public places that were not designated for occupation by people during their design phase. All persons living in temporary accommodation facilities awaiting institutionalization are also considered homeless in the US.

Homelessness causes can be classified as structural, for instance, poverty, lack of sufficient supply of affordable housing, and unemployment challenges that continue to ruin many nations across the globe (Hafetz, 2009). Other causes include public and social policy problems, for instance, community and public housing policies, education, and expenditure without negating taxation policies. Health challenges associated with homelessness also include ill health, fragmentation of families, intellectual disability, domestic violence, alcohol and drugs dependency-associated problems, and mental illness among others.

Statistics

In a social study, acquiring 100% accurate data is incredibly challenging. Hence, the available data is only based on estimations. The estimates are mainly based on national averages. However, community estimates may considerably vary with respect to local geographies. However, the Department of Housing and Urban Development provides the most accurate data on homelessness in the US. It issues an annual homeless assessment report to the US Parliament. The reported data is drawn from single-night, point-in-time counts of both sheltered and unsheltered homeless populations reported on the Continuum of Care applications (The US Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2009, p.6). The other source entails counts for homeless and sheltered persons in the year as extracted from community samples. Such data is extracted from HMIS of the communities. Therefore, the statistical findings shown in the graph 1 below are based on close comparison of the data from the national and community statistics.

Statistical data for homeless people in the US varies according to familial composition, marital status, ethnicity, substance abuse, education levels, mental health, and employment status among other demographic characteristics such as geography and duration.

Federal and State Policies for Reducing Homelessness

Different federal and states policies have been established to deal with homelessness. For example, the State of New Yorks policies, including the permanent supportive housing strategy among others, have been proven effective in ending homelessness. The US also has federal housing policies such as the federal housing assistance. Two major programs under this category are housing vouchers and public housing programs. The programs have proven effective in providing stable housing to the homeless segments across the US.

Measuring Healthy People 2020 Objectives

To deal with challenges of homelessness, Healthy People 2020 targets to increase the accessibility to quality healthcare for homeless people who live with mental illness. Its target is 41% by 2020 (Healthy People 2020, 2012). This target was based on the 2006 baseline study in which 37% of the target population accessed health care. Healthy People 2020 has endeavored to achieve this objective, although hindrances such as new cases of mentally ill people becoming homeless persist. However, by 2020, this objective will be achievable.

Role of Nurses in the Homeless Population Segments

The Department of Communities and Local Government (2012) observes that poor health can cause poverty and hence homelessness. For instance, poor health can have impacts on an individuals ability to engage in productive employment or education, which is an important aspect in poverty alleviation. Poor health can also cause people to sacrifice necessities, including housing, to meet various medical care and treatment costs. From the paradigm of public health in general, poverty has immense negative impacts on it.

The link between poor health and homelessness implies that nurses have a role to play in managing the problem. Nursing services are important in alleviating suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of people. Nursing leaders have the responsibility of participating in healthcare advocacy (Shelley, Ghinwa, Ray, & Fridkin, 2015) for individuals, families, communities, and the general population. Nurses are stakeholders within the health care sector, which focuses on the care of individuals, families, and communities. Its goal entails ensuring that people attain optimal health and quality life. Therefore, by ensuring quality health care, nurses reduce the problem of homelessness associated with poor health.

Conclusion

A full realization of the challenge of providing quality health care to all persons, irrespective of their socio-economic status, has seen many nations attempt to implement programs for universal health care. However, many nations, including the US, reduce cases of homelessness. Upon noting that homelessness may be caused by poor health or lead to poor health, nurses play the roles of reducing the problem by ensuring delivery of quality care to families and individuals.

Reference List

Hafetz, J. (2009). Homeless Legal Advocacy: New Challenges and Directions for the Future. Fordham Urban Law Journal, 12(5), 1222-1229.

Healthy People 2020. (2012). Objective Topic Areas and Page Numbers. Web.

Johnson, R., & Haigh, R. (2012). Social psychiatry and social policy for the twenty-first centurynew concepts for new needs: the psychologically informed environment. Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 14(4), 3035.

National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2015). The State Of Homelessness in America. Web.

Associated with Health Care, United States. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 21(9), 1537-1542.

The Department of Communities and Local Government. (2012). Rough sleeping statistics England  Autumn 2011 experimental statistics. London: Department for Communities and Local Government.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2009). The Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress. New Jersey, NJ: The US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Homelessness is a significant public health problem impacting millions of individuals within the United States. Its prevalence has been associated with inadequate low-income housing. In response to the soaring housing prices, several states have adopted rent control and stabilization regulations to curb the widening socioeconomic disparities. Approximately 182 cities and municipalities in the U.S have active rental rules. While the intentions of these policies are unquestionable, their effectiveness in resolving this issue is debatable. Rent controls indeed protect tenants, especially those from low-income households, from exploitation and adverse economic shocks. However, these procedures are not only unnecessary but can also have negative socioeconomic consequences. The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate the changes in socioeconomic factors that affect the homeless and the influence of various stakeholders on the issue. This writing also provides a potential solution that can effectively resolve homelessness in the United States.

Contrast the Different Change Forces Affecting Homelessness

During the 1870s, the homeless were mainly travelers traversing across the U.S, searching for manual labor. The public perception of the vagrants was characterized primarily by disdain toward the manual laborers. They were termed tramps, lazy, incorrigible, depraved savages, and aimless men who had lost the cultural norms of domestic life (National academies of sciences et al., 2018). The solution to homelessness during that era was through the provision of jobs rather than housing assistance. The itinerants mainly comprised whites, alcoholics, males of 50 years and over, and the disabled (National academies of sciences et al., 2018). Additionally, they lived in structures such as cheap hotels, single room hotels, lodgings, and flophouses.

Unprecedented changes in socioeconomic issues led to modern-day homelessness, which started in the early 1980s. The factors that led to the contemporary-era homelessness include renovations of inner cities, high unemployment rates, economic recessions, deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill, and inadequate housing supply (National academies of sciences et al., 2018). The renovation of inner cities led to the disappearance and destruction of single-room occupancy hotels (SRO). These were low-income shelters mainly located in Skid Row areas and were occupied by impoverished and low-income households. However, the renovations led to a dramatic increase in downtown regions property values as most SROs and temporary residences were converted into apartments and condos. While the rent in low-income areas increased, the income levels of individuals remained the same. The disparity between the community members wages and the rental burden triggered an economic burden that saw several families and individuals move to the streets.

Contrast

The early versions of homelessness were facilitated by industrialization and urbanization as foreigners trickled into the country in search of labor. In contrast, the crucial changes observed in modern-day homelessness seem to emanate from economic recessions, social issues, and changes in legal policies. In response to the economic recessions, the government made significant cut downs on funds spent on social programs and legislation that supported the vagrants. For example, Californias hospital beds decreased from 37,000 to 2,500 in less than three decades (National academies of sciences et al., 2018). Budgetary cuts in institutionalized centers also triggered an influx of mentally ill people living on streets and temporary shelters. Today, due to limited funding from the federal government, only a handful of eligible individuals and families can receive housing assistance. Coupled with low wages and unemployment, the rate of homeless people increased gradually.

Changes in government regulations, mediated by economic recessions, also contributed to modern-day homelessness. In 1937, for example, the local government initiated the building of houses and provided jobs to the unemployed to solve the situation. Until the late 1970s, the program successfully subsidized all capital costs in selected housing dwellings. Under the plan, eligible households received voucher assistance covering the gap between what the tenant paid and what the landlord charged. It also covered 80% of all eligible families, unlike the current system, where assistance is only available to the severely low-income family (Quigley, n.d.). The 1984 Social Security Disability Benefits Reform Act also made significant adjustments that cut down the financial assistance of the derelicts and mentally disabled. The massive contraction of economic activities led to substantial changes in pro-homelessness legislation that affected many people.

Changes in social issues also contributed to the face of homelessness. Until 1990, the homeless were mostly single, white males, males, aged 50 and above, alcoholics, and the poor. The current homeless population is mainly characterized by families, women, youths, and veterans. However, whites and males still account for the highest population of derelicts (State of homelessness, 2020). The shifts in homelessness demographics were attributed to social and health issues such as the burden of medical conditions, psychiatric disorders, and the cost of substance use. National academies of science et al. (2018) asserted that the burden of medical conditions was the primary cause that led women and families onto the streets. In addition, the homeless in the industrialization and urbanization periods mainly lived in lodgings, hotel rooms, and SROS. Ironically, most homeless individuals of that era fit into the Housing and Urban Development definition of housed and, therefore, would not be considered vagrants according to todays standards (National academies of sciences et al., 2018). A majority of homeless people today live and sleep on the streets.

Stakeholders

A community is well-positioned to bring systematic changes through effective coordination among various Stakeholders. The associates involved in combating homelessness in the United States include public housing authorities, legislators, state and federal agencies, and community-based agencies. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U. S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), HUD, state and local governments, service providers, advocates, and Veterans Affairs work collaboratively with the government to ease homelessness (Strategic Action Plan, 2018). The HHS coordinates the delivery of treatment and health services to the homeless. The agency is responsible for identifying and promoting the use of evidence-based interventions that are specifically focused on the needs of the derelicts.

The interventions include planning for effective transitioning, discharge, and release of the homeless from health centers. In liaison with service providers, HHS also coordinates and connects the homeless with housing services. USICH is the only federal government agency whose main agenda is to put an end to the situation  homelessness in the United States (Ending veteran homelessness, 2018). It works with 19 federal agencies to improve the conditions of the homeless. It also develops strategic plans against homelessness and helps local stakeholders in all states to implement best practices that will enhance homelessness with their community. It also assesses the effectiveness of federal programs throughout the nation and advice local communities on funding opportunities.

While the federal government is responsible for policies concerning housing subsidies, state and local directorates administer policies such as service provision, occupancy, and regulation of homeless shelters. They also implement national approaches aimed to combat the issue within their geographical areas. Through the federal governments funding, states allocate finances for subsidized housing, food stamps, and homeless shelters to different municipalities. They also identify high-risk populaces and create response plans to minimize the risk of individuals losing their residences and ending up on the streets.

California, New Jersey, Maryland, and New York have implemented rental control laws to help curb homelessness within their states. Ironically, New York, California, and Maryland are among the top ten states with the highest homelessness rates despite the enforcement of the rental control policies (State of homelessness, 2020). Veterans face a unique set of challenges when transitioning from military life to civilian life. The transitions are characterized by substance use, disabilities, economic hardship, mental illness, and post-traumatic stress disorder that ultimately lead many veterans to homelessness. Veteran Affairs is a federal agency that provides health services to eligible veterans. The VA offers explicitly homeless services such as housing, mental health services, substance use, and economic assistance to veterans.

Influence of Stakeholders on Homelessness and How They are Affected by the Issue

The collective efforts of these stakeholders have significantly impacted the vagrants. A recent report by USICH indicated that 79 communities and three states in the U.S have succeeded in ending veteran homelessness (Ending veteran homelessness, 2018). Another record by the National Alliance to End Homelessness revealed a 12% decrease in the rate of homelessness since 2007 (State of homelessness, 2020). Within the same timeframe, the incidence of derelict families decreased by 29%, the unsheltered by 10%, and the chronically homeless by 9% (State of homelessness, 2020). The aforementioned data highlights the efficacy of the strategies employed by different organizations to end homelessness.

Contrarily, there has been a significant increase in the incidence of homelessness among individual men and women in the last three years. According to the report, the aforementioned populace recorded an eleven percent surge (State of homelessness, 2020). State-wise data shows that Michigan, Kentucky, and New Jersey have had significant homelessness reductions since 2007. Michigan has achieved a 70% reduction while Kentucky and New Jersey have made 47% reductions in overall homelessness within their states (State of homelessness, 2020). The shift of public policies from financing derelicts shelters to promoting permanent housing has led to a 20% increase in permanent housing beds and 87% in rapid housing assistance (State of homelessness, 2020). States such as California, Florida, New York, and Texas have the highest homeless population in the U.S (State of homelessness, 2020). The high rates of homelessness are attributed to the cities large populations and the cost of housing.

Potential Solution and Justification

Rent control regulations is likely to facilitate the homelessness debacle in the long-run. To prevent this from happening, state and local governments should do away with rent control regulations. Proponents base their argument on the need to protect tenants interests to curb the market power of landlords  several studies support this view. For example, an empirical survey on the effectiveness of rent control policies in San Francisco, New York, and Cambridge showed that these statutes lowered rent for selected housing units and prevented forced evictions due to rental increases (Rajasekaran et al., 2019). There is considerable evidence showing that rent is the largest expenditure of most individuals and families in the United States and, therefore, controlling rent can significantly reduce occupancy costs.

While rental controls have a seemingly positive impact on individual outcomes, they also breed systematic issues in their wake. From a personal perspective, rental control laws are unwarranted, groundless, burdensome, and most importantly, inefficient in resolving homelessness. According to Rajasekaran et al. (2019), tenants living in rent control units are less likely to move out. The improbability of a tenant moving out of a rental control unit is a double-edged sword. A tenant may not be willing to give up his rental-controlled housing unit even when his circumstances or income status changes. The outcome of such practices can make needy families to be locked out of subsidized rental opportunities.

Second, the problem with rent control policies is that they create significant negative externalities, which can lower the houses investment value. Economic statistics show that the demand for houses in the US moderately depends on prices; therefore, reducing housing prices may have small effects on resolving the issue. Tenants in highly regulated houses spend more time debating houses consumption value instead of the investment values. The depreciating value of the housing market negatively affects developers and landlords. A similar crisis happened at the end of the 1970s when the government enforced programs that subsidized selected public housing capital costs. Since the rental caps were fixed at 25% to 30%, landlords who served low-income families faced major budgetary problems (Quigley, n.d.). With rental caps, landlords might cut down on maintenance costs, which may lead to deteriorating housing status. Rental regulations transfer the economic burden from tenants to developers and landlords.

Third, rental control regulations are ineffective with respect to increasing access to low-income houses. A recent study conducted by Diamond et al. (2018), and cited in Rajasekaran et al. (2019), showed that San-Francisco rent control laws enacted in 1994 led to a 5.1% increase in rent between 1995 and 2012. Similarly, Beacon Economic demonstrated that rental caps in California are ineffective in reducing the states homelessness. The survey showed that most low-income families were still incurring costs which amount to over 30% of their income on rent (Thornberg et al., 2016). The regulation has negatively affected low-income families living outside the rental control areas. The findings of Thornberg and his associates affirm the stance rental caps can look out for needy families out of essential housing. Similar to San-Francisco, the rental caps in California slowed down the growth of rental housing, which increased rental prices.

Fourth, rental caps may lead to a national economic burden on the country. Research conducted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) showed that rental market controls have severe negative implications on bottlenecks in housing supply and increase the risk for crisis and severity of the economic downturn (Cournède et al., 2019). The survey also suggested that rental control prevented the equal distribution of labor by discouraging low-skilled workers (Cournède et al., 2019). This studys findings support the notion that individuals living in rental control units are less likely to move out, which can disproportionately affect those living outside these units. Because of the above reasons, state and local governments should eradicate rental caps. Abolishing rental caps regulations will result in positive outcomes among the homeless, low-income families, and landlords.

Conclusion

Rental regulation can result in tenure security by reducing the risk of eviction. However, the demand for houses in the US only moderately depends on prices; therefore, reducing housing prices may have small effects on resolving. Significantly, these laws will facilitate the homelessness debacle in the long-run. It can lead to the devaluation of housing properties and housing quality, lockout needy families from subsidized rental opportunities, and reduce the supply of housing units, which results in higher rent prices. Realizing the root causes of homelessness will help policymakers establish effective procedures and strategies that have a long-term impact on communities.

References

Cournède, B., Sakha, S., & Ziemann, V. (2019). Empirical links between housing markets and economic resilience. OECD. Web.

Strategic action plan on homelessness (2018). U.S Department of Health & Human Services.

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Health and Medicine Division, Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice, Policy and Global Affairs, Science and Technology for Sustainability Program, & Evaluation. (2018). Addressing Homelessness in the United States. Nih.Gov; NCBI Resources. Web.

State of homelessness: Homelessness in America (2020). National Alliance to End Homelessness. Web.

Quigley, J. M. (n.d.). Housing policy in the United States.

Rajasekaran, P., Treskon, M., & Greene, S. (2019). Rent control: What does the research tell us about the effectiveness of local action? Urban Institute. Web.

Thornberg, C., Levine, J., Schrader, D., & Meux, E. (2016). An analysis of rent control ordinances in California. Beacon Economics.

Ending Veteran Homelessness (2018). United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH). Web.

Introduction

Homelessness, which sometimes is known as houselessness, is a condition that is characterized by a lack of stable, safer and adequate housing. Homeless people live under trees, in the streets, and sometimes under bridges. Moreover, people who live in private boarding houses with no valid security of tenure and internally displaced persons are also grouped as homeless. Today, homelessness is a common scenario globally because it occurs in major cities and rural or suburban areas. People who are homeless suffer from both psychological and health-related issues. More so, children and women are more vulnerable to these detrimental effects of homelessness than men. Therefore, homelessness is a severe issue that needs immediate interventions to curb the life-threatening challenges affecting people with no proper sheltering options.

Literature Review

In exploring homelessness in the world, this article by Joseph Alpert provided insightful facts that help readers and researchers to understand the causes and effects of homelessness. The article found an increase in the number of homeless people in California. According to Alpert (2021), seventeen persons of 10000 people in California were reported to experience homelessness in 2019. Moreover, Alpert (2021) also found that in 2019, more than 500000 people in the United States were experiencing homelessness. The article also pointed out that several states in the United States, such as Los Angeles, Texas, and Florida, among others states, host many homeless persons. As a result, many affluent sections in the cities have become prone to open-air drug use, human waste like faeces, medieval diseases and homeless encampments.

Following the unfortunate situation experiences by the homeless people, many diseases and conditions affect persons who lack safe and adequate shelter. According to Alpert (2021), it was found that many homeless had mental illnesses, cellulitis, respiratory diseases and other cold-related chronic conditions. Further, Alpert (2021) also found that homeless people with chronic illness leads the bad outcome since they cannot assess medical assistance quickly. Moreover, homelessness makes it impossible to control and cure the most common curable diseases such as cellulitis. Malnutrition is also another problem that affects homeless people. According to Alpert (2021), homeless people are often poor and rely on begging to cater for their needs. Sometimes, they do not get what they desire and are given what is available, hence, an unhealthy diet. The article concludes by acknowledging homelessness as a severe issue in the United States today that needs immediate programs to curb the threats associated with homelessness.

As the search for homelessness continues, this article also provides relevant knowledge as understanding the state of homelessness in the world is concerned. The article by Bassuk et al., published in 2020, strives to find out what policies and programs are being put in place to intervene for the low-income families at risk of becoming homeless. Bassuk et al. (2020) first acknowledge that family homelessness is one of the more pressing public health concerns in the United States. Moreover, the article revealed that more than one-third of US families and their children account for homeless population.

This article relates the growing social tragedy to the inability of the government to fund the building of decent and affordable housing, scarcity of house tickets, unemployment and lower wages. According to Bassuk et al. (2020), homelessness is more than a lack of shelter; it entails losing safety, belongings, friends and privacy. Mothers and children experiencing homelessness face many challenges that alter the family relationship. Mothers, for example, go through psychological torture as they fall victims to depression and stress while caring for their children in an unfortunate environment. Finally, the article concludes by giving and explaining some of the interventions that must be taken to curb homelessness not only in the United States but in the entire world.

In my opinion, homelessness is becoming a severe issue globally and adversely affects the lives of women and children. As aforementioned, poverty is the leading cause of homelessness. Therefore, besides living in poor shelters or under bridges, most homeless persons lack other basic needs such as food and clothing. Moreover, during winter, many homeless people go through many challenges, including cold nights, which have been found to cause many diseases like pneumonia. Therefore, I call on both the federal and the state governments to develop programs and plans that aim to reduce the number of homelessness in the United States.

Conclusion and Future Research

Although several types of research have been conducted to help understand the state of homelessness in the world, more research needs to be done. Previous research has attempted to explain the causes, effects, and the population more affected by homelessness. However, little or no research has been done to explain why efforts to curb homelessness in the United States have not been successful. Recent research statistics indicate an increasing number of homeless persons. Therefore, challenges to curbing homelessness in the world remain an area of research that will help the government plan for homelessness.

References

Alpert, J. (2021). Homeless in America. The American Journal of Medicine, 134(3), 295-296. Web.

Bassuk, E., Hart, J., & Donovan, E. (2020). Resetting policies to end family homelessness. Annual Review of Public Health, 41(1), 247-263. Web.

Introduction

The issue of homelessness has brought several issues in California, owing to the large population of financially unstable citizens. One can think the people of California are well-off, resulting from the high wages in the Golden state. However, the houses are equally expensive, making them unaffordable, which is the leading player in the homelessness cases in the state.

Despite the high wages in California, homelessness remains a serious social issue that is yet to be addressed.

Discussion

California has many homeless people, with a considerable group being chronically affected. This includes those who cannot afford even the indecent homes. Most victims of this issue are workers, hence active taxpayers. However, the problem persists in the state bringing many questions for both the state and federal governments.

Many immigrants seek to take advantage of the rapidly shooting economy in California. However, they meet the challenge of housing, resulting from the high prices for homes in the state.

Factors like providing medical services to the mentally impaired and those suffering from addiction in California overlook the issue of housing. Some people argue that these are some of the issues that cause homelessness in California. Making a comparison, the unaffordability of housing in the state remains a significant issue for most homeless people.

The state of California is in a position to change the issue of homelessness in the country. This can be achieved by issuing the necessary policies that are likely to change the situation. Social services and other housing institutions can also create affordable housing for the people of California.

Conclusion

Homelessness in California remains a big issue, with most people lacking decent housing or any housing at all. For this reason, the state and federal government in partnership with social services should look in it.

Although each community in different parts of the world is unique, a lot of those communities share some common features. In a TedxTalks video, Martha Stone, an executive director of a shelter, provides some insight into homelessness, one of the common features of various areas. Stone presents some statistics of people who need shelter and shares three stories of those who had stayed at the facility that she runs. She emphasizes that homeless people are not always dressed in worn-out clothes, begging for a change on the streets. Often, homeless people are those who have jobs but cannot yet afford to pay rent, those who have mental health issues, or those undergoing recovery. Moreover, Stones shelter provides help to families with children of all ages who cannot have a regular childhood as they constantly question whether they will have a roof over their heads. Martha Stone thoroughly discusses the matter sharing information on the causes of homelessness, its consequences, and what society can do about it.

I have to admit that homelessness was one of the aspects of everyday life that I had not paid much attention to prior to watching this video. In my opinion, the video was done very well as Martha Stone provided a significant amount of detailed information in such a short time. I liked that aside from describing homelessness, Stone also suggested ways of helping the situation, such as donating items from shelters wish lists. Although this is not related to the execution of the video, I was surprised when she said that the government provided only 25% of their shelters funding which may reflect the situation with other facilities. Overall, in my opinion, the content of the video was very detailed and thought-provoking.

California has recorded a significant increase in the rates of homelessness since the 19^th century. The states rapidly growing economy has attracted many people to the region, causing hardships in purchasing or renting a house. This has made people look for alternative means of shelter, which are not worthy of human living. One of the significant factors contributing to the high rate of homelessness in California is the challenges experienced in treating people suffering from mental illnesses and illegal substances. However, real estate in California is expensive; thus, people do not have enough resources to afford to contribute to the social issue. There is a need for California to change some of the existing housing policies by simplifying the registration process and providing more resources for developing affordable housing programs.

The number of people experiencing homelessness in California has increased significantly over the years. In January 2020, California had about 161,548 individuals who did not have permanent residence, with a high number of young adults and veterans (Ohanian). Many students in public schools experience homelessness, with some of them having no shelter at all. The pandemic has also significantly contributed to an increase in people without a home in California. Many residents lost their jobs and thus did not have adequate funds to cover their housing needs.

The high rate of homelessness has been attributed to the high prices of renting or purchasing a house in California. California is one of the states with income inequality among the population hence the inability to afford houses. By February 2021, the median rent for a house in California was close to 2000 dollars, while the price of purchasing a house was 700,000 dollars (Ohanian). A resident in California needs about 100,000 dollars to qualify for appropriate housing. Wages in California are higher than in other states, but many of the residents cannot afford quality housing. The high rate of housing in California has caused many young adults to move to other regions with lower costs. Housing in California causes great financial distress to individuals residing in the state, indicating a great need to reduce the costs.

The lack of treatment for people experiencing mental illnesses and suffering from substance abuse has also contributed to the housing problem in California. About a quarter of the people without a permanent home in the state suffer from severe mental health problems. Lack of proper care for the people makes it hard for them to have a proper residence; therefore, they are on the streets. The government also does not provide funding for mental healthcare, with Medicaid having a limit to not paying for mental disease treatment in institutions with more than sixteen beds. This shows a lack of adequate resources to be used in taking care of people with mental health illnesses. California should consider allocating more resources toward treating such people since it will help minimize the homelessness problem experienced in the state.

Victims of domestic violence and formerly incarcerated persons contribute to the increase in homelessness in California. Women in the state who experience domestic violence are more likely to face housing problems than other women. Former prisoners are also likely to experience homelessness since they experience discrimination in the housing market. A prison history also enhances ineligibility in public housing programs. Such people end up looking for shelter in emergency homes or end up on the streets. This shows that there is a great need to establish strategies to help ensure formerly incarcerated persons have easy access to quality housing.

Over the years, California has increased the funding allocated to strategies to eliminate the states housing problem. California allocates federal and state money to local governments in the region to fund programs used to address the housing problem. Local governments have resulted in leasing hotels and motels to offer housing to homeless people after the onset of COVID-19. In 2021, California had a budget of about seven billion dollars to fund thirty housing programs. Despite the many funds allocated by California to its local government to address the housing problem in the state, positive results are yet to be achieved.

The establishment of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit is one of the most successful means that can be used to address the issue of homelessness in California. Neighborhood factors do not contribute to the challenges experienced by California residents in finding appropriate and affordable housing. Many of the residents do not have a ladder into the labor and housing markets and thus have to look for alternative means of shelter. California should consider eliminating the regulations established on housing supply in the state to ensure that residents have access to affordable housing. This will eliminate the need for the state to increase its spending to come up with affordable housing units for the residents.

California has proposed several policies aimed at helping to eliminate homelessness, which has proved to be a significant social issue in the state. The state seeks to establish a ten billion dollar housing bond to be used to develop affordable housing in the region. This will help to ensure that even low-income earners have enough funds to get quality residences. The state also seeks to eliminate exclusionary zoning, which limits the construction of tall buildings with many housing units. Allowing the construction of tall buildings will increase the number of available housing units in the state. California is also laying out strategies that will allow funds saved from prisons to ensure that people who finish their sentences get appropriate housing. However, implementing the policies described above will require the state to increase the funds allocated to address the homelessness problem. Spending more on the development of affordable housing in the region will help to reduce the high costs that result from a lack of appropriate housing.

In conclusion, California has to reconsider some existing housing policies to make the registration process more accessible and increase the funding allocated to eliminate the problem. The high costs of renting or purchasing a house have contributed to the housing problem in California. The high number of people suffering from mental illnesses and substance abuse in California contributes to homelessness. Domestic violence and having a prison history are other factors that increase the possibility of a person being homeless. Even though California has increased the funds allocated to address the housing problem, many people still do not have access to quality and affordable housing. The state has leased hotels and motels to house homeless people in the region. California should consider eliminating the housing problem to limit its consequences on the population.

Work Cited

Ohanian, Lee E. Common-Sense Policy Reforms for California Housing. Cato Institute. Web.

Introduction

Poverty and homelessness are two substantial factors that have an impact on the persons life and ability to care for themselves and their families. In some cases, poverty is a result of historical events and a lack of policies and support systems that would allow a person to have a job suitable for maintaining their lives. Homelessness can cause severe adverse effects on ones mental health, making it more difficult for an individual to return to normal life. This paper will review the statistics and information about poverty and homelessness in Jackson, MS. The community of Black Americans in Jackson, MS, is suffering from poverty and homelessness.

Jackson, MS

By definition, the poverty level is defined by the government to measure the peoples ability to finance their living expenses. The United States Census Bureau (n.d.) determines who is poor by using a set of monetary income levels that vary by family size and composition. If a familys total income is less than the familys criterion, the family and all of its members are termed poor. Hence, a familys poverty is measured and compared to the income levels based on other families earnings. The official poverty line does not change by region; however, it is adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index (United States Census Bureau, n.d.). The official definition of poverty includes only money income before taxes and excludes capital gains or noncash advantages, such as public housing, Medicaid, and food stamps.

Poverty is a pressing concern in Jackson, MS, and the United States. According to Welfare Info (n.d.), the poverty rate in Jacksonville, MS, is 28.9%. This means that out of over 160,000 individuals who reside in this community, 47,341 live in poverty. Moreover, the poverty rates in this community are much higher when compared to the rates in MS, which are 21% (Welfare Info, n.d.). Hence, this community should have some characteristics that make this community more susceptible to poverty rates, such as socioeconomic or cultural reasons. For instance, when looking at the distribution of the poverty rates, it is evident that some ethnicities are more affected by poverty when compared to others who reside in Jacksonville. Among the Hispanic community, 50% live in poverty compared to the national level of 25% (Welfare Info, n.d.). However, the majority of the population in this community are Black, and the poverty levels among these individuals are also high and more significant when compared to the national level.

Homelessness means that a person has no place to live, which also results in their inability to have access to hygiene facilities and a place to sleep, work, or study. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness (n.d.), the most current national point-in-time estimate is that there are an estimated 553,742 persons in the United States who are homeless on any given night, equating to about 17 persons suffering homelessness for every 10,000 people in the overall population. As for homelessness, currently, there are 488 homeless people in the metropolitan area of Jackson (Welfare Info, n.d.). Hence, homelessness presents a public concern for the United States and for Jackson.

Communities around the United States respond to the problem of homelessness with a wide range of housing and assistance programs. Some examples include emergency shelters, transitional homes, re-housing, and permanent supportive accommodation. Over the last decade, there has been a shift in the way aid is provided to the homeless, with a greater emphasis on permanent housing solutions (National Alliance to End Homelessness, n.d.). For example, permanent supportive housing and fast re-housing rather than transitional housing programs. Permanent housing initiatives account for almost half of all beds in the United States (National Alliance to End Homelessness, n.d.). By adopting this approach of permanent housing initiatives, the policymakers at Jacksonville can aid people who are homeless.

Historical Background

The inability of the city to support its poor and homeless population is linked to the relationship between MS and Jacksonville. According to Bisaha (2021), for some Jacksonians, the capitol building, which stands in the heart of the city, serves as a reminder that decisions imposing Jim Crow and segregation were made beneath those pillars. Hence, the fact that this city has been populated predominantly by Black people and the history of oppression and segregation has affected the current issues with poverty and homelessness.

Moreover, Mississippi Delta counties are where African Americans were enslaved, which is one historic factor relating to poverty and homelessness. Then these territories became areas for low-wage workers and sharecroppers. Bisha (2021) states that these individuals have a 30 percent poverty rate, services and opportunities are considerably further dispersed than in a metropolis like Jacksonfood and shopping shortages can stretch entire counties. According to Pew Research Center data, a white household in Mississippi might easily have a net value 13 times that of a black one (as cited in Bisha, 2021). According to PBS, the average median income for a black family in Clevelands Delta area is less than half that of a white family. Hence, the research shows that there is a difference in income rates of white and black families.

Poverty, in general, is an issue in the United States. According to Breech et al. (2021), over 40% of the worlds population is impoverished, and despite its richness, the United States has one of the highest rates of poverty in the industrialized world (p. 10). The burden falls disproportionately on communities of color and a common explanation for the relatively high prevalence of poverty among minority communities is based on notions of racial inferiority. Moreover, denial of structural forms of racism has contributed to the social crisis in the United States (Breech et al., 2021). Importantly, poverty encompasses far more than a low-income household. It indicates an individuals economic well-being, capacity to navigate society based on education, socioeconomic or health status, and social exclusion.

As a huge nation established by immigrants, the United States would certainly and unavoidably accept a significant number of refugees, documented and undocumented immigrants seeking a better life. According to the national narrative, immigrants will find work, achieve some amount of socioeconomic fairness, and become eligible for health care (Breech et al., 2021). Unfortunately, this ideal only applies to a subset of chosen immigrants, most of whom come from rich European nations. Individuals from historically colonial countries in Central or South America, Asia, or Africa who move to the United States are frequently subjected to prolonged marginalization, poverty, and bad health. For this reason, communities, such as the one in Jackson, MS, suffer from poverty and homelessness.

Recommendations

Evidently, the issue of poverty and homelessness disproportionately impacts some ethnicities, and some steps have to be taken to address these problems. For example, the policymakers should increase the minimum wage and social aid rates and present policies that eventually will guarantee a minimum income to the community members. Next, they should create inexpensive, high-quality housing through decommodifying housing, instituting rent controls, renovating, retrofitting, and maintaining existing public housing, or constructing new public housing. Income and housing are the foundations upon which one may begin to assist individuals as community members.

Another aspect, apart from ensuring that the basic needs of individuals, such as food and housing, is helping the people affected by poverty and homelessness to address their mental health needs. People must be helped in their physical, emotional, and social well-being in order to regain stability and find a sense of belonging, both as a recovery from the trauma of homelessness and as a preventative measure against a never-ending cycle of new people. According to Homeless Hub (n.d.), people suffering from mental illnesses are more likely to be homeless for longer periods of time and have less contact with family and friends. Mental diseases affect 30-35 percent of persons experiencing homelessness and up to 75 percent of women suffering from homelessness and oncurrent disorders affect 20-25 percent of those facing homelessness (Homeless Hub, n.d.) People with serious mental disorders outnumber those suffering from homelessness because they are frequently discharged from hospitals and jails without enough community services in place. Therefore, mental health issues can be a serious problem for the people who are homeless or experience poverty and may prolong their suffering if not addressed.

Conclusion

In summary, the nations economic crisis has significantly impacted the lives of millions of Americans. For many Americans, growing levels of homelessness and food insecurity are intricately intertwined, and children are disproportionately affected by both situations. The population residing in Jackson, MS, is predominantly Black, and the rates of poverty in this area are higher when compared to the states average. Moreover, there is a substantial number of homeless people in this city.

References

Beech, B., Ford, C., Thorpe, R., Bruce, M., & Norris, K. (2021). Poverty, racism, and the public health crisis in America. Frontiers in Public Health, 9, 10-20. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.699049

Bisaha, M. (2021). Jackson, Miss. lives in a world of high poverty and higher expectations. NPR.

Homeless Hub. (n.d.). Mental health.

National Alliance to End Homelessness. (n.d.). The state of homelessness in America. 

United States Census Bureau. (n.d.). How the Census Bureau measures poverty. 

Welfare Info. (n.d.). Poverty in Jackson, Mississippi. 

Homelessness is a concern that has received widespread attention in Australias social justice framework. Individuals frequently are forced to find alternative, safe homes for various social reasons, and occasionally, this need to move may lead to homelessness. Human services providers and public housing are difficult to access for those suffering long-term homelessness. Organizations addressing the issue are under great strain because of how serious the problem is throughout the nation. Regardless of their sexual orientation, gender, socioeconomic background, or location, victims seeking aid need high-quality assistance from professionals with the necessary skills.

Social Justice Approaches to the Problem

Throughout the last decades, many states, including Western Australia, have shifted the perspective of an entitlement-based approach to social security provision. The government of Western Australia often provides shared hostel lodging as a response to homelessness, with little motivation at the Commonwealth level to engage in affordable social housing to solve the structural causes of homelessness. (Parsell et al., 2020). Preventive and early intervention programs received significant attention due to The Road Home White Paper by the Commonwealth Government and following initiatives financed by the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (Kaleveld et al., 2018). There are numerous specialized services available that provide specialized services for at-risk groups. The goal is to meet persons immediate needs while creating solid foundations for them to live with an emphasis on integrated support linked to job and health services. At the same time, the Western Australian Alliance to End Homelessness is a group of united institutions to end homelessness (Mollinger-Sahba et al., 2020). The community services, health, mental health, justice, and education sectors will all work together to address the root causes of homelessness and meet the needs of individuals (DVNSW, 2020). Hence, they have real and better opportunities for earnest participation and consultation about decisions affecting their lives.

The issue is also evident in the culturally-oriented context. Zufferey and Parkes (2019) studies suggest that local service providers emphasize the value of family support when offering accommodation, particularly to Aboriginal families moving to the city from another region. Overcrowding in public housing is a problem that affects both urban and regional geographic situations (Michelle & Wendt, 2022). Regional service providers, however, focused in particular on housing issues related to overcrowding for Aboriginal families, which might draw the attention of housing authorities and lead to possible evictions.

Therefore, homelessness remains an important issue that needs to be addressed by authorities. There are various reasons for increasing statistics throughout Australia. Regarding established government principles, social justice is based on the framework for working with communities affected by domestic and family violence, entailing reliable encouragement of inclusivity, diversity, and nurturing surroundings that include and accept people.

Homelessness issues among Western Australian Aboriginal People

The Closing the Gap policy framework focuses on social and health disparities for Aboriginal Australians. The well-being of families and children is supposedly prioritized by the Income Management policy framework, which applies to all Australians who receive government income support (Martin et al., 2018). By concentrating on Indigenous Australians, second being pertinent given that the majority of Aboriginal people spending time in the parks were receiving financial assistance, and third outlining a paternalistic policy approach of doing to, rather than creating the conditions for self-determination, these initiatives provide the background for the experiences of the homeless individuals. It also reflects demands for policies, interventions, research, and responses that prioritize Indigenous self-determination made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their allies. The State-based Patient directly touched many people in the parkland Assisted Transport Scheme (PATS) program, which made it easier for them to relocate to the city for medical treatment. The program offered subsidized travel aid to individuals from regional, municipal, or far-off areas needing specialized medical care.

Western Australian Alliance to End Homelessness

The five key focus areas of the Western Australia Strategy to End Homelessness are housing, prevention, a solid and coordinated approach, data, research, and targets, as well as building community capacity. The strategy was developed collaboratively by representatives from human services, people experiencing homelessness, funding agencies, and society representatives. The Australian Alliance to End Homelessness invited influential city leaders to participate in developing the Advance to Zero initiative at the beginning of 2019 (Spinney et al., 2020). Together, individuals and organizations who assist those experiencing troubles analyze what is effective and modify service delivery to achieve more significant results.

Another aspect of the program includes the permanent supportive housing approach, which offers inexpensive accommodation and supportive services. Social and medical aids are just two examples of the many services available (Canham et al., 2021). Although some people experience moving into PSH as stressful, research indicates that individualized, person-centered engagement and case management enhance healthy behaviors.

Human Rights and Group Work

• International human rights policy is built on the concept of human rights universality. This suggests that fundamental rights belong to all people equally. This principle is maintained in various human rights protocols, declarations, and initiatives after being initially highlighted in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• All international human rights policy is based on the principle of non-discrimination. According to the human rights treaty bodies, all people have the right to perform their rights without being subjected to any form of discrimination based on factors like gender, nationality, age, language, religion, ideological or other opinions, national or socioeconomic origin, assets, birth, or other condition.
• Working in a group cultivates the analytical reasoning, problem-solving, negotiating, conflict management, and decision-making abilities that a person will require to advance and succeed in life.
• Working in groups has the crucial advantages of increasing cooperation and assisting individuals in identifying their strengths and shortcoming.

References

Canham, S., Humphries, J., Moore, P., Burns, V., & Mahmood, A. (2021). Shelter/housing options supports, and interventions for older people experiencing homelessness. Ageing and Society. 1-27.

DVNSW. (2020). Good Practices Guidelines Review. Web.

Kaleveld, L., Seivwright, A., Box, E., Callis, Z., and Flatau, P. (2018). Homelessness in Western Australia: A review of the research and statistical evidence. Government of Western Australia, Department of Communities. Web.

Martin, R., Fernandes, C., Taylor, C., Crow, A., Headland, D., Shaw, N. & Zammit, S. (2018). We dont want to live like this: The lived experience of dislocation, poor health, and homelessness for Western Australian Aboriginal People. Qualitative Health Research, 29(2). 159-172. Web.

Michelle, J. & Wendt, S. (2022) Developing an intake assessment for domestic and family violence supported accommodation, Australian Social Work.

Mollinger-Sahba, A., Flatau, P., Seivwright, A., Kaleveld, L., Bock, C., Baron, J., Cull, O. & Thomas, L. (2020). The Western Australian alliance to end homelessness outcomes measurement and evaluation framework. Centre for Social Impact. Web.

Parsell, C., Clarke, A. & Kuskoff, E. (2020). Understanding responses to homelessness during COVID-19: an examination of Australia, Housing Studies.

Spinney, A., Beer, A., MacKenzie, D., McNelis, S., Meltzer, A., Muir, K., Peters, A. & Valentine, K. (2020) Ending homelessness in Australia: A redesigned homelessness service system, AHURI Final Report, 347.

Zufferey, C. & Parkes, A. (2019). Family homelessness in regional and urban contexts: Service provider perspectives, Journal of Rural Studies, 70. 1-8. Web.

Introduction

Social problems affect many citizens and make it impossible for them to overcome most of the hurdles they experience in their lives. Homelessness is one of them and it is associated with poverty and absence of personalized medical services. The affected individuals will also suffer family breakdown and poor health conditions. This paper applies three sociological perspectives to help different stakeholders to get a clear understanding of this issue.

Sociological Perspectives

Sociological imagination can guide scholars and human services professionals to understand the nature of homelessness and how it affects different people. Conflict theory is essential in analyzing communities at the macro level and describing how the struggle for scarce resources could result in societal rivalry (Grenier et al., 2016). The presence of inequalities and ineffective systems would also make it hard for some members to achieve their goals and improve their living conditions. The absence of proper mechanisms to address disparities would also result in increased cases of homelessness (Grenier et al., 2016). The structural aspects of this theory will explain why regions that lack resources will have more citizens who are affected by this social problem.

Symbolic interaction is useful when examining micro issues in a given community. This model would suggest that some individuals would remain homeless because of ideological influence occurring amongst them. Similarly, the existence of diverse economic or financial classes in a given country will result in groups that are stable while others are not (Grenier et al., 2016). Additionally, some people might fail to receive the necessary support and empowerment from their guardians or parents, thereby developing thoughts and ideologies that expose them to poverty. Since humans are social in nature, they will establish stratifications and differences that will define their lifestyles, relationships, and interactions or associations with others (Benokraitis, 2018). Those who lack adequate resources will form unique understandings and ideologies that could increase chances of poverty and eventually result in homelessness. However, its subjective interpretation makes it inappropriate in describing the development or nature of this social problem.

The third sociological perspective that could guide different professionals to understand the nature of homelessness is functionalism. This theory focuses on the macro-level elements of a given society and it tries to explain how different attributes in a given community would promote stability. According to supporters of such a model, individuals who have shortcomings or fail to work hard will have increased chances of becoming homeless (Samudra & Yousey, 2018). The presence of personal flaws in personality would trigger power struggles and eventually force those who are unable to conform to lead better lives. Homelessness appears to be an integral aspect of the wider society since it becomes the only refuge for persons who are lazy or unwilling to support social norms and engage in nation building activities.

Conclusion

The above discussion has identified homelessness as a major social problem that arises from the forces experienced in different communities. Different perspectives try to offer powerful arguments regarding the position, source, and purpose of such an issue. The most important thing is for all stakeholders to consider the above arguments and present evidence-based solutions that could transform the experiences of the victims. In conclusion, policymakers and sociologists can collaborate to introduce superior strategies and programs that can address this challenge and ensure that more victims lead meaningful lives.

References

Benokraitis, N. V. (2018). SOC: Introduction to sociology (5^th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Grenier, A., Barken, R., Sussman, T., Rothwell, D., & Bourgeois-Guérin, V. (2016). Homelessness among older people: Assessing strategies and frameworks across Canada. Canadian Review of Social Policy, 74, 1-39. Web.

Samudra, R., & Yousey, A. (2018). Defining homelessness in the rural United States. Online Journal of Rural Research & Policy, 13(4). Web.

Introduction

Contemporary social problems are not only a consequence of individual factors that do not depend on people, for instance, political fluctuations in the international arena but also the outcome of unreasonable and ineffective government practices. One of these issues is homelessness a phenomenon that is acutely felt in the modern United States. People who do not have a permanent place of residence and are forced to live on the street fall into the spectrum of the authorities attention, but a comprehensive solution to this problem, nevertheless, has not yet been found. As a result, concomitant issues are manifested in the community of those who have to survive in the absence of housing, for example, drug addiction and alcoholism. Addressing homelessness in America today is an important and responsible step to take. This problem should be resolved by influencing its causes and removing those constraints that impede the improvement of the situation. Educational programs and coping with the countrys opioid crisis are seen as potentially effective objectives to overcome homelessness, but creating affordable housing is the best solution to help people in need return to normal life.

Homelessness and Its Causes

The problem of homelessness is acutely felt where, along with rich housing and developed infrastructure, some people have to live on the street. There are several reasons for this contrast across the country. According to Hobbes, housing that low-income families could afford has become unaffordable over the years due to the constant price rise. Rufo notes that, in Los Angeles, since 2011, the number of homeless citizens has increased by 15%, and in some regions, this figure reaches 25%. The real estate market, as dynamic and adaptive industry, responds to demand. As a consequence, with the emergence of widespread interest from high-income citizens, it becomes unprofitable to sell affordable housing, which, in turn, leads to the inability of many people to pay their rent. Individual districts and neighborhoods are becoming elite, properties are being bought out to accumulate profits in the long term, and not everyone can withstand this competition. As a result, under the influence of the trend of gentrification, when urban areas are ennobled and become elite, several citizens cannot afford housing, which forces them to lead a wandering lifestyle.

The issue of homelessness concerns not only those who live on the street but also those who have a permanent place of residence. According to the study conducted by Glynn and Fox, in such metros as Los Angeles, New York, Washington, and Seattle, there exists a strong relationship between housing costs and homelessness (575). No one is immune from the fact that, in conditions of a constant rise in the price of living standards, paying for utilities may become unavailable. Despite policymakers attempts to create conditions in which citizens can count on employment and stable earnings, the proceeds may not be enough to pay for housing, and the measures taken are ineffective. Therefore, although democratic values and freedoms are promoted, class inequality can be a significant driver of homelessness that can affect almost everyone.

At the same time, despite the aforementioned statistics, one can note that the problem of homelessness is less widespread than it is perceived to be and can be overcome with effective measures. For instance, as Hobbes argues, between 2012 and 2018, the number of people living on the streets declined by 11 percent nationwide, which indicates positive shifts. Moreover, Khurshid and Gadnis provide an example of blockchain technology as a tool to track non-residents and provide them with timely assistance, including healthcare services (e10654). As a result, one of the positions is that homelessness can be overcome through constant supervision and increased social responsibility.

Nevertheless, even while taking into account the national statistics and potential decisions to implement digital control methods, the real facts about homelessness in large cities indicate a much more difficult situation. Homeless people often suffer from alcohol and drug addiction, which complicates their socialization. Another critical constraint is the predisposition to mental illnesses that progress in homeless people and maybe the cause of their poor living conditions. According to Rufo, about three-quarters of the homeless have mental health problems and at least one form of substance addiction. These statistics mean that this is crucial to address the issue in question not only through surveillance. The authorities should take urgent measures aimed to help the homeless to get an opportunity to pay for affordable housing and receive qualified help in dealing with mental health problems.

Potential Solutions

To solve the problem under consideration, the choice of the best working methods is an important task that can be implemented at different levels. As an alternative method for overcoming homelessness in the United States, discussing the issue within the current educational program can be potentially valuable. In addition, overcoming the existing opioid crisis caused by active pharmaceutical companies is an urgent step. The analysis of these solutions may help identify the specifics of the target work in these areas.

Education

The popularization of the problem of homelessness in the educational environment can be an effective solution to create an understanding of the issue in the young audience. In addition, this step may contribute to promoting the importance of helping those who find themselves in difficult life situations. Hallett et al. consider cooperation with homeless liaisons as a mechanism for involving students in targeted social work and participation in projects and programs dedicated to public awareness (90). Moreover, the discussion of the issue with primary school students is also seen as an efficient solution contributing to the popularization of the problem and the formation of social responsibility among young citizens. According to Kim, over 25% of families experiencing homelessness have children (820). This means that understanding peer problems can raise awareness of the challenges of homelessness among young pupils. As Cronley et al. state, promoting this knowledge in education can help educate future social workers and practitioners who will understand the range of difficulties and gaps and make efforts to address them (S16). Therefore, such initiatives can be seen as potentially viable solutions to address.

However, to provide a worthy resistance to the trend of homelessness, many years need to pass before children can grow up and help in fighting against this issue. In addition, modern curricula are coordinated at different levels, and the inclusion of additional subjects and courses in the learning process may not be approved by the Ministry of Education. As a result, the popularization of the problem among students has relevance as a factor in the dissemination of knowledge about homelessness, but from the standpoint of efficiency, few real outcomes can be achieved.

Coping with the Opioid Crisis

From the standpoint of efficiency, the fight against the opioid crisis is a more valuable solution to implement than popularizing the problem of homelessness in the educational process. Moreover, not only in the United States but also in other countries, people feel the relevance of this issue that has more severe implications on human health. According to Mendez, substance overdose is the most common cause of death in homeless people. Controlling the release and distribution of opioid-based drugs may help reduce the influence of pharmaceutical companies. In pursuit of profit, they supply the market with a wide range of hazardous substances, and Daniulaityte et al. compare the current situation with the epidemic (1785). Moreover, Boyajyan argues that about 20 to 25% of the homeless population in the United States suffers from a severe mental illness, and one of the reasons for this is drug addiction (8). Pharmaceutical companies need to be held accountable and restrict the distribution of readily available opioid-based drugs to ensure that they do not enter the market freely. This can be done through class action lawsuits, attracting the authorities attention, and other measures involving massive interference.

At the same time, even with potential constraints, a decision to curb the activities of pharmaceutical companies may not have the intended effect on homelessness. Many corporations are accountable to the government and contribute greatly to the treasury through tax payments. The loss of a significant market share is fraught with losses, which is unacceptable in conditions of economic competition. In terms of the impact on mental health, not all homeless people are ready to accept their problem, and even if the sale of opioid drugs is limited, many of these citizens will be able to find access to them in the illegal market. Moreover, as Boyajyan remarks, few people without a permanent place of residence can afford comprehensive and effective drug addiction treatment due to financial challenges (10). These restraints are objective reasons for finding a more effective solution to the problem of homelessness.

Creating Affordable Housing: The Best Solution

Creating affordable housing is a key objective that the authorities need to strive for to overcome the problem of homelessness and provide people in need with an opportunity to count on permanent residence. This decision can have different forms of implementation and should not be associated with colossal spending from the federal budget. For instance, Jackson et al. suggest paying attention to tiny homes that, despite their size, can be an alternative to housing lost due to financial hardship and debts (661). In modern metros, this is possible to realize such an idea, and today, there are examples of special camps in which formerly homeless people have a chance to count on a roof over their heads and minimal amenities. Olson notes that in Los Angeles, in 2019, more than $538 million was spent on solving the issue of homelessness, which, however, did not bring the desired result due to mainly legislative rather than practical solutions. Therefore, the construction of special residential complexes is one of the forms of the program aimed to create affordable housing.

The provision of assistance to the target population in the form of subsidies and vouchers should be expanded at the legislative level. According to Elder and King, today, the bulk of the funds goes to people with disabilities, veterans, older adults, and large families (402). Nonetheless, to address the problem of homelessness, more funds need to be channeled, taking into account individual cases. As Olson highlights, homelessness is not an illness that can be cured, rather a symptom of gentrification, different physical and mental ailments, inefficiencies of governance, or sheer bad luck. People who have lost their permanent place of residence for reasons beyond their control, for instance, the unfortunate coincidence of circumstances or fraudsters actions, have the right to count on the support of the state. Caring for the population involves not only the provision of healthcare, legal, and other services but also the protection of life. Therefore, subsidizing and providing housing choice vouchers are crucial initiatives to maintain a sustainable system of helping special cases, which, in turn, can support people with limited incomes in difficult life situations.

Leveraging the maximum available resources to reduce the cost of creating affordable housing is one of the opportunities to realize to combat homelessness successfully. Katz notes that gentrification causing people to lose their homes in large cities reflects economic hardships that citizens cannot overcome (2293). In this regard, the author proposes to use those resources that do not require great financial investments, for instance, to promote scattered-site programs and use already available land instead of full-scale construction (Katz 2293). As a result, homeless people can count on housing at significantly lower prices than those in the market, which have risen significantly due to gentrification.

Affordable housing programs can be challenged based on both economic and social constraints. For instance, Olson notes that in the media, homeless people are often portrayed as morally devastated people with persistent addictions and criminal inclinations. However, the lifestyle they lead is rarely voluntary, and the aforementioned reasons are the drivers of both behavioral and mental problems. Another potential counterargument is the fact that measures to create affordable housing are being taken regularly, and both legislative and practical activities are underway. However, according to Olson, in Los Angeles Country, about 45,000 people remain homeless, while in 2019, the figure was approximately 59,000. This means that, despite the authorities activities, the issue cannot be eliminated shortly. Therefore, the more actively affordable housing is built and offered, the higher the chances of overcoming homelessness and helping people in need.

Conclusion

To overcome such an acute social problem as homelessness, relevant solutions can be implemented, but the most effective of them is creating affordable housing. This measure aims to help homeless people with buying or renting housing through subsidies, vouchers, and engagement programs. The issue of homelessness is dangerous because almost no one is immune from it, and the trend of gentrification exacerbates the situation by creating a tense situation in the real estate market and affecting prices. Moreover, such severe factors as mental illnesses and alcohol and drug addictions are concomitant challenges. As alternative solutions, the discussion of the problem at the educational level and the fight against the opioid crisis may be proposed. However, both of them can be ineffective and do not have the desired effect on the situation. Despite various social or economic constraints, creating affordable housing is seen as the most meaningful solution to implement to help homeless people and address one of the most pressing urban problems.

References

Boyajyan, Karapet. The Painkiller Crisis: An Evaluation of the Effects of the Opioid Epidemic on the Homeless Population in the United States. 2019. MPA thesis.

Cronley, Courtney, et al. Homelessness from a Holistic Paradigm: Bridging Gaps in Curriculum Through Supplemental Education Opportunities. Journal of Social Work Education, vol. 56, no. 1, 2020, pp. S16-S27.

Daniulaityte, Raminta, et al. Methamphetamine Use and Its Correlates Among Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder in a Midwestern US City. Substance Use & Misuse, vol. 55, no. 11, 2020, pp. 1781-1789.

Elder, Jen, and Ben King. Housing and Homelessness as a Public Health Issue: Executive Summary of Policy Adopted by the American Public Health Association. Medical Care, vol. 57, no. 6, 2019, pp. 401-405.

Glynn, Chris, and Emily B. Fox. Dynamics of Homelessness in Urban America. The Annals of Applied Statistics, vol. 13, no. 1, 2019, pp. 573-605.

Hallett, Ronald E., et al. Addressing Homelessness and Housing Insecurity in Higher Education: Strategies for Educational Leaders. Teachers College Press, 2019.

Hobbes, Michael. Why America Cant Solve Homelessness. HuffPost, 2019. Web.

Jackson, April, et al. Exploring Tiny Homes as an Affordable Housing Strategy to Ameliorate Homelessness: A Case Study of the Dwellings in Tallahassee, FL. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 17, no. 2, 2020, p. 661.

Katz, Mitchell H. Homelessness  Challenges and Progress. JAMA, vol. 318, no. 23, 2017, pp. 2293-2294.

Khurshid, Anjum, and Ashish Gadnis. Using Blockchain to Create Transaction Identity for Persons Experiencing Homelessness in America: Policy Proposal. JMIR Research Protocols, vol. 8, no. 3, 2019, p. e10654.

Kim, Jinhee. Homelessness as Difficult Knowledge in Early Childhood Education. Early Childhood Education Journal, vol. 48, no. 6, 2020, pp. 815-823.

Mendez, David. Overdose Deaths Increase Among LAs Unhoused as Opioid Use Spreads. Spectrum News 1, 2021. Web.

Olson, Olivia. Crisis on the Streets: Homelessness in Los Angeles County. University of Southern California, 2020. Web.

Rufo, Christopher. Homelessness in America: An Overview. The Heritage Foundation, 2021. Web.