Category: Homelessness

Homelessness among children in the United States is a growing problem. Children are particularly vulnerable in view of the fact that many run away from their homes to escape conflict and abuse. Poverty, economic challenges, and systemic obstacles add to the challenges minors face with regard to access to shelter. The lack of housing is immensely detrimental to children, who face an increased risk of developmental challenges. The deleterious effects associated with inadequate housing have been compounded further by the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated economic downturn. The experience of homelessness among children compounds developmental challenges that can be mitigated through the implementation of comprehensive and context-based interventions.

Causes of Homelessness

Homelessness among children is a serious problem in the United States. It is estimated that between 10 and 17 million children live in poverty in the United States (Madrick). The National Center for Homeless Education estimated that more than 1.3 million children and youth and children between the ages of 5 and 18 years were homeless during the 2016-2017 school year (Gultekin et al. 10). The Department of Housing and Urban Living defines homelessness as the inability to access regular, fixed and adequate nighttime residence (Gultekin et al. 10). There are a variety of individual and structural reasons why families and children experience homelessness. For instance, inadequate supplies of social housing, ineffective welfare systems, parental mental health challenges, breakdowns in relationships, and domestic violence contribute to inadequate housing. (Murran and Brady 1).

Economic factors that cause a spike in housing prices limit access to affordable housing. Rapid urbanization has resulted in difficulties accessing shelter in view of the fact that families must choose between competing interests. It is also worth noting that punitive lease agreements where families are evicted for noise complaints and damage to property have increased the number of children experiencing homelessness.

There are a variety of individual factors that contribute to the high incidence of homelessness among minors. Domestic violence often results in an increase in the number of runaway children who are escaping emotional and physical abuse. It is vital to note that a majority of women experiencing homelessness often run away with their children. Parental mental health challenges may aggravate domestic violence and increase the degree of negligence that minors experience. Affected children leave their homes in search of food and security, as well as an opportunity for a decent life.

Effects of Homelessness

Housing stability and safety are more often than not associated with specific health outcomes. The lack of affordable housing is associated with deleterious health consequences (Gultekin et al. 10). It is also worth noting that the loss of affordable housing is associated with the loss of possessions and alterations in family or friend relationships. The aforementioned challenges are particularly detrimental for children who are experiencing growth and developmental changes. The affected individuals ability to attain milestones, learn social roles and develop relationships outside the family construct may be negatively affected. It is vital to note that homeless children face significant health risks in addition to lower educational and social outcomes compared to their housed peers.

The lack of adequate housing exposes children to a variety of deleterious conditions. Evidence indicates that affected individuals experience high rates of malnutrition, elevated blood lead levels, vaccine-preventable illnesses, obesity, and asthma (Gultekin et al. 10). In addition, the poverty associated with homelessness is a significant contributor to the increased morbidity and mortality seen in the population in question. Researchers have also found an association between the lack of housing and the high incidence of emotional and behavioral challenges among children (Gultekin et al. 11).

Studies also demonstrate the fact that homeless school-age children are 2 to 4 times more likely to experience mental health challenges compared to poor children with stable housing (Gultekin et al. 11). The aforementioned challenges are compounded by the lack of mental health services.

Children experiencing homelessness are also at a higher risk of experiencing traumatic childhood experiences such as victimization, trauma, and neglect. In addition, they experience toxic stress that facilitates the development of chronic health conditions as well as chronic homelessness in their adult lives (Gultekin et al. 11). Children and youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer stand a high risk of facing victimization and engagement in risky health behaviors. Homelessness impacts the well-being, education, and health of many children across the United States.

Food insecurity affects a significant number of children in the United States. It is defined as the expression of anxiety regarding having adequate resources to acquire the type and quantity of food required for an active and normal life (Lee and Lippert 1116). A study of homeless children in Minneapolis demonstrated that 55% of the children in the shelters did not have adequate food and 25% went to bed hungry (Lee and Lippert 1120). Food is vital for normal growth and development in children. Limited access to necessary nutrients impeded normal development while increasing the risk of developing adverse health conditions.

Solutions

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with numerous economic challenges have amplified the deleterious effects of homelessness on children. The U.S. Department of Urban Housing and Development has implemented a variety of measures to help address the problem. However, the organization prioritizes the same populations, uses the same methods of assistance, and largely ignores families and children (Duffield 294).

The solution to childhood homelessness lies in the design of a system that recognizes the exact mechanisms that define the experience of homelessness among children and families. It is vital to building on community-based systems and agencies that are equipped and capable of meeting the target populations needs. It is vital to craft solutions that are geared towards clear long-term goals in which affected individuals become economically independent and healthy.

It is worth considering the fact that current homelessness services were not designed to address childrens needs. For instance, housing replacement and rapid rehousing fail to address the transportation or childcare needs of affected families (Duffield 300). Challenges abound when child homelessness is reduced to a housing problem. The provision of affordable housing and housing assistance does not comprehensively address the challenges affected individuals face. The most effective way of addressing homelessness among children is to create child-focused systems.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) must prioritize the implementation of programs designed to address childrens needs. The Child Care and Development Fund and Head Start programs prioritize the enrolment of homeless children. The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act program has made significant strides in addressing the needs of homeless children and youth (Duffield 304). It is important that interventions that are designed to address homelessness in children address transitional living in addition to other forms of housing-related assistance.

Programs designed to address the needs of children must provide comprehensive educational support. Public schools are effective first responders to the childhood homelessness problem in view of the fact that education is compulsory and federal laws protecting children experiencing homelessness are particularly strong. The fact that public schools exist in almost all communities in the United States makes them uniquely placed to address the needs of homeless individuals. The institutions offer the education that is ultimately required to help the children escape homelessness and poverty permanently.

The United States has in excess of 18000 local education agencies, each of which is required to identify children experiencing homelessness and link them with resources both within and outside the learning institutions (Duffield 306). The Emergency Family Stabilization Act facilitates the allocation of 800 million dollars to fund community agencies to meet the needs of children, youths, and their families in a bid to alleviate the effects of homelessness. The implementation of policies intended to mitigate the deleterious effects associated with the lack of shelter is critical to addressing childrens needs.

Conclusion

The experience of homelessness among children aggravates developmental problems that require the application of comprehensive and context-based interventions. Systemic and individual challenges such as poverty, mental health concerns, and economic difficulties contribute significantly to the experience of homelessness among children. Most of the affected individuals experience food insecurity, poor education outcomes, traumatic experiences, and numerous health conditions.

The solutions to the challenges homeless children face must be comprehensive and context-based. It is vital to concede the fact that the affected individuals needs stretch beyond the need for housing. Proposed interventions must address educational, social, and developmental needs while equipping affected persons with the skills they require to escape homelessness.

Works Cited

Duffield, Barbara. Reimagining Homelessness Assistance for Children and Families. Journal of Children and Poverty, vol. 26, no. 2, 2020, pp. 293313. Web.

Gultekin, Laura E., et al. Scoping Literature Review Health Risks and Outcomes of Homelessness in School-Age Children and Youth: A Scoping Review of the Literature. The Journal of School Nursing, vol. 36, no. 1, 2020, pp. 1018. Web.

Lee, Barrett A., and Adam M. Lippert. Food Insecurity among Homeless and Precariously Housed Children in the United States. Demographic Research, vol. 45, no. 37, 2021, pp. 111548. Web.

Madrick, Jeff. The Cost of Child Poverty. The New York Review, 2015. Web.

Murran, Sarah, and Eavan Brady. How Does Family Homelessness Impact on Childrens Development? A Critical Review of the Literature. Child & Family Social Work, 2022, pp. 112. Web.

The problem of homelessness has been a serious issue for a very long time According to the reported data more than half a million people have been experiencing homelessness in U.S. in 2014 (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2015, par. 3). The problem hits both large cities and small local communities causing many serious problems like disorder at day entertainment and business areas, increasing number of crimes, deterioration of natural environment, treat of illnesses spreading, or even causing epidemics. The reasons causing homelessness vary a lot. They can be both of personal or global character from a home violence to a financial crisis. In the essay, some actions that might help to solve homelessness problem in a city will be discussed.

The most obvious humanistic solution of the homelessness problem that comes to mind is creating shelters. As there is a significant percent of potentially socially dangerous people like drug and alcohol addicts, the shelters should have strict rules, like not letting in drunk people, people who are on drugs, people who are dirty or have a strong odour and refuse to take shower (shower facilities are provided by shelter), aggressive people who are looking for fight etc. A shelter should remain a shelter, not a hangout place. The shelter should be provided with certain facilities like a small medical clinic to control diseases and warn epidemics as well as provide general medical care to those homeless who are in need; a service that provides employment assistance; a library, a computer class. Shelter administration should have the open policy on the question of opening vacancies for homeless. There can be various types of shelters with different specialization, but they all should have strict well-thought-out rules and be available to those who are in need. The program Housing First, now strongly supported by the government that states the principle of providing the homeless with the house and only then helping to overcome some of his or her life difficulties that caused the state of homelessness (Hart, 2015, par. 6) can also be applied.

There still will be people who will refuse to use shelter facilities. People like this tend to stay at homeless encampments, and that is a huge problem. Encampments may be a source of increasing criminal activity, decreasing the sanitary conditions of the city in general and the site especially, as well as it may cause the disease spreading. The solution should be radical. All the encampments should be eliminated and the sites of their most possible formation should be monitored and patrolled by the police.

All the free canteens and charity spots that provide free food and clothes should be closed as they attract various types of homeless. Those, in general, who do not want to go to shelters because of the rules and that shifts him or her to the group of potential criminals. Of course, the canteens and free clothes spots should be opened and re-opened in cases of emergency like extremely cold weather, for example. But what to do with the drug and alcohol addicted homeless? Some of them really want to overcome their addiction so the centres for helping the addicts that guarantee the best availability to the homeless people should be created. And, of course, certain programs to reintegrate them into a public life and a normal society should be applied.

All the solutions, listed above are a good, and, in the majority of cases, certain ways to solve the problems caused by homelessness for the cities affected by the issue. In case of a wise and well-out-thought policy, the acuteness of the homelessness problem as well as the problems caused by homelessness, should be significantly decreased.

References

Hart, A. (2015). Solving the Homelessness Problem with Housing. The Press Democrat. Web.

National Alliance to End Homelessness: The State of Homelessness in America 2015. Web.

Introduction

The issue of homelessness has been quite acute and widespread for many years. In particular, it is especially significant in New York. On the one hand, it is difficult to stay afloat in this city and earn enough money. On the other hand, even though they are homeless, people have many opportunities to find housing and food. Therefore, it is necessary to look at this problem from different angles and come up with different ways to reduce the rate of homelessness in New York. This paper describes articles that have a significant attribution to this issue.

Literature Review

First, it is crucial to understand what affects and causes homelessness. Shapiro (2006) pays special attention to the problems of inequality in society. He argues that in the 21st century, it is more important than ever to uphold freedoms and human rights. One of them is homeownership, which makes people feel secure. This works value lies in its modernity and attentive attitude to people regardless of their racial and ethnic characteristics. Mabhala, Yohannes, and Griffith (2017) argue that homelessness is not just a lack of a place to live: it is a complex phenomenon from the field of sociology and public health. Therefore, the approach to addressing it must begin by examining the underlying causes of homelessness. Unhealthy lifestyles and poor relations with government officials are the main drivers of home loss. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and address these psychological and physical problems to improve the populations living standards.

Rising levels of homelessness are closely related to social change. Tumin (1953) argues that the ideas causing racial and ethnic stratification are archaic. On the other hand, this phenomenon is so widespread and familiar that it undoubtedly possesses some reasons and consequences necessary for humanity. Tim describes the processes that lead to this division, such as peoples different talents and needs. Undoubtedly, this can positively affect people, but it also leads to adverse outcomes such as homelessness. Aldridge (2020) notes the dramatic change in the number of homeless people and writes that this reflects societys general state. Consequently, the acuteness of the issue of homelessness is associated with the growing problem of social division. Rich people become more successful, while poor people have fewer earning opportunities. Thus, knowing the severity of the problem, people can understand the importance of dealing with it and take the necessary measures.

Researchers note the breadth of problems faced by homeless people. For example, Alowaimer (2018) notes three major obstacles: poverty, hunger, and loneliness. Indeed, homeless people cannot find enough means to live and feed themselves. They also feel rejected by the world around them. This causes a significant number of psychological problems that can manifest themselves even after improving living conditions. Steen (2018) also notes that homelessness complicates learning and training. Homeless people are prone to victimization, health problems, and difficulties in finding a job. Homelessness also affects society: it requires significant expenses on free medicine and the growth of crime.

There are more particular issues related to homelessness in America and worldwide. For example, Morton et al. (2018) examine a particular aspect of homelessness: youth homelessness. The problem is especially acute among young parents, representatives of national or gender minorities, and people without education. The study reflects the relationship between social status and the psychological state of people. Community pressure influences young people to leave their homes. Therefore, it is necessary to work on preventing these situations and help young fugitives. According to the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (2018), youth experiencing homelessness have multiple challenges. They are related not only to basic human needs but also to developmental tasks of adolescent people. Without having enough education and support, they cannot develop properly, which causes problems in their future lives.

Researchers often turn to the issues related to finding new places to live for homeless people. The article by Rodriguez and Eidelman (2017) looks at ways to help the homeless: rapid and transitional rehousing. According to the study, the relocation pace does not affect the likelihood of returning to a past life. However, many homeless people do have different psychological characteristics; consequently, they are often drawn to return to a past life. This work can help in the design of rehabilitation and assistance programs for the homeless. Shaefer, Edin, and Talbert (2015) study the phenomenon of the high level of poverty, in which people receive no more than $2 a day. This issue is especially pronounced among children who do not have the opportunity to receive a stable income. Their parents, as a rule, also have low-paying jobs. This work is revealing in that it portrays the frightening statistics that are the reality for many Americans. This forces researchers to look for ways to deal with the problem and help the described people.

Conclusion

Homelessness is a multifaceted and complex problem. Researchers consider different aspects of it but agree that many social and cultural factors influence this. Homelessness is associated with inequality, lifestyle, moral principles, and other aspects of life. Therefore, it is important to influence them as the root of the problem to get rid of homelessness. Then people will feel safe and live a stable life. They will not want to perform illegal actions and will feel that they have rights. It will help them save their homes and be protected.

References

Aldridge, R. (2020). Homelessness: A barometer of social justice. The Lancet: Public Health, 5(1), E2-E3.

Alowaimer, O. (2018). Causes, effects and issues of homeless people. Journal of Socialomics, 7(3). Web.

Mabhala, M. A., Yohannes, A., & Griffith, M. (2017). Social conditions of becoming homelessness: qualitative analysis of life stories of homeless peoples. International Journal of Equity and Health. Web.

Morton, M. H., et al. (2018). Prevalence and correlates of youth homelessness in the United States. Journal of Adolescent Health, 62(1), 14-21.

Rodriguez, J. M., & Eidelman, T. A. (2017). Homelessness interventions in Georgia: rapid rehousing, transitional housing, and the likelihood of returning to shelter. Housing Policy Debate, 27(6), 825842.

Shaefer, H. L., Edin, K., & Talbert, E. (2015). Understanding the dynamics of $2-a-day poverty in the united states. The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Science, 1(1), 120-138.

Shapiro, T. M. (2006). Poverty, justice, and community lawyering: Interdisciplinary and clinical perspectives. Washington University Journal of Law & Policy, 20.

Steen, A. (2018). The many costs of homelessness. The Medical Journal of Australia, 208(4), 167-168.

Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (2018). The healthcare needs and rights of youth experiencing homelessness. Journal of Adolescent Health, 63(3), 372-375.

Tumin, M. M. (1953). Some principles of stratification: A critical analysis. American Sociological Review, 18(4), 387- 394.

Three Notes

Encampment projects are usually helpful for few people or families.

Homelessness eradication is almost impossible without efforts to combat unemployment.

Temporary housing is an expensive venture.

Article Essentials

Taplin Jen published an article on 15th June 2022 in Chronicle-Herald about the intention of Halifax to allow encampment in four parks.

Thesis

The writer intended to inform on the Halifax regional councils approval to revise the homeless encampment approach and responses to some of the emerging questions on such a move. The article sought to offer respite to the neighbors concerned with such a move. The author intended to inform the homeless people, who were candidates for the encampment program, about the opportunities available to them. There was a need for the general public to become informed about the council projects in their vicinity and the use of public funds.

Main Points

The move to provide encampments for the people within the public parks was meant to provide a quality residence for the homeless with the necessary amenities. The identified parks would each have four tents in identified sites, and are Barrington Street green, Lower Flinn Park, Geary Street green space, and Green Road Park. All the chosen places would accommodate a total of 36 tents, intended to house a total of 30 people (Taplin, 2022). Crucial amenities in the residences include portable washrooms, water, lights, and signs. Maps and information would be availed both online and on paper for consumption by the targeted homeless people. Despite 91 people sleeping rough, the intervention targeted the 30 who slept rough in parks (Taplin, 2022). The local authorities were aware that the number of homeless people was likely to increase in the summer but their target was the already homeless people (Taplin, 2022). The number of homeless had grown by 12.6 % in a month from 547 to 616, but the council insisted their solution was short-term.

Complaints from neighbors on security and pollution were addressed by members of the local authority who insisted providing dignified standards would better the situation. The council attributed the challenges faced by the neighbors to the poor standards of living the homeless people were subjected to and the lack of alternatives. Halifax staff planned to seek aid from the provincial and federal governments through the use of their properties. More housing units were under construction and would serve as the permanent solution in the future.

The police were entrusted to ensure compliance with the set regulations within the camping sites. Matters arising within the camps such as noise, fires, disturbances, and assaults were envisioned and the Halifax authorities committed to civilly handling these issues. They would hold meetings with the residents of the encampment region and address these issues. The city staff would be offered security when addressing challenges, should the need arise. The council sought to avoid the controversy surrounding previous housing projects where the police used force on the citizens, and were under heavy criticism.

There was a concern that more people would come to the site when commissioned, surpassing the capacity of the area. The response by Halifax authorities was that alternatives such as provincial parks, federal parks, and online housing options would be availed. There was a requirement for the challenge of homelessness to be investigated holistically and identify the extent of the issue. Solutions were planned to become available to the council in late summer or during fall for consideration.

The encampment project suggested and approved by the council was estimated to cost $50, 000 to prepare and $200, 000 in staffing costs in the 2022-2023 budget, totaling $250,000 (Taplin, 2022). This is a massive figure and use of the public budget that the author intended to make public.

Reference

Taplin, J. (2022). Halifax allows encampments in four parks: HOMELESS IN HRM: Next steps include setting up signs, washrooms, water to support about 30 people. Chronicle  Herald. Web.

Homelessnes in the modern day world is a serious problem. In Australia, roughly 120,000 people are homeless every single night and this number is constantly increasing. It is because of this that society should turn to catholic social teaching so that we can provide the conditions that allow people to obtain what is fair and Just. It is by looking at and using the principles of catholic social teaching that we are able to enable people to obtain what is fair and just. This is using catholic social justice principles such as the dignity of the human person, the common good and community, preferential option for the poor and vulnerable and rights and responsibilities.

The catholic social teaching principle of the dignity of the human person is defined as a belief in the essential dignity of the human person. This “implies that human life is sacred, and the dignity of the human person is the starting point for an ethical vision for society. This principle is supported by the idea that humans were made in the image of God. Meaning that people are the purest reflection of God among us. By applying this to our society, a place where homelessness, and poor housing, which are an affront to human dignity, are eliminated” forever. The application of this social teaching principle will result in a community that values every life equally and will give people what is needed for them to have ‘dignity’. The cambridge dictionary defines dignity as the importance and value that a person has, that makes other people respect them or makes them respect themselves. This refers to the homlessness or the less fortunate to have the opportunity to receive shelter and food and in turn earn the respect of those who once looked down upon them. This is right and just.

The Common Good and Community, as a catholic social teaching principle, is associated to the principle of human dignity throughout many aspects. To achieve common good, all humans, despite their background must be treated equally and fairly. “This is because human beings grow and attain completion in communities. This implies that human dignity can only be comprehended and protected in the context of relationships with the wider society. This principle, when applied to homelessnes means that for the poor and vulnerable to succeed in their life they have to be accepted by the community. This will allow them to improve their dignity and by being treated equally and fair, the community will achieve common good. This society also has the responsibility to “love our neighbour”, which requires us to be nice to everyone around you. However, it also involves a wider social obligation.”.This is that everyone has a duty to contribute to the good of the whole society, to the common good. This means helping the less fortunate as well as getting the homeless back on their feet and providing shelter food and water if needed.

Preferential option for the poor and vulnerable, if acted upon in society, will have a major impact on the homelessness and less fortunate. This is because the poor and vulnerable will then have the most vital moral claim on our society. The “option for the poor,” is not controversial slogan that places one group against another. However, it states that the deprived and less fortunate people within the society wounds the whole sense of common good. The option for the poor is an indispensable part of society’s effort to achieve the common good. A healthy community can be achieved only if its members give special attention to those with special needs as well as to those who are poor and less fortunate.

Rights and Responsibilities relates to the fact “that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be attained only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things mandatory for human decency. This includes food, shelter, clothing, employment, health care, and education. Conforming to these rights will allow” for a healthy society that has common good. By using this as a guide, society will be able to provide the homeless with what they need to maintain human decency as well as act upon their human rights. As well as this, by ensuring that the communities responsibility of “love our neighbour” is fulfilled,

By society using the catholic social teaching principles of the dignity of the human person, the common good and community, preferential option for the poor and vulnerable and rights and responsibilities to help guide them, they will be able to provide the conditions that allow people that are homeless to obtain what is fair and Just.

Homelessness means more than just sleeping rough. Sleeping in hotels, hostels, on a friend’s couch is also included in the definition of homelessness which I will explain more about at the start of my essay. In this essay I am going to be discussing Homelessness in Ireland and within that topic I will be discussing the homeless crisis in Ireland, social housing and the housing first policy. I will be looking at statistics within homelessness, the HAP scheme and what it is, the causes of homelessness and solutions for homelessness.

Homelessness

The definition of homelessness can be split between three different types of homelessness, such as visible homelessness – these are people sleeping rough on the streets, hidden homelessness- people who are couch surfing and sleeping in emergency accommodation, and at risk of homelessness- these are people who have a house but who are at risk of losing it due to the economy (Focus Ireland, 2020).

The number of homeless people has risen drastically over the past 10 years. In late December 2019 there were 9,731 people homeless across Ireland and 3,442 of those are children. In 2011 a special census was done to see how many people in Ireland were homeless, this included hidden and visible homelessness. There were 3,808 people homeless in Ireland when the census took place (Census, 2011). Homelessness is more common in males than in females as males are more inclined not to ask for help or to admit that they are struggling. In the 2011 census statistics you can see that the percentage of men living rough or in accommodations is much higher that it is for women. There was 2,539 men were homeless where there was 1,269 women (Census, 2011). People who are homeless are more likely to have mental health problems and are more subjectable of getting an addiction problem. A homeless person’s average life expectancy is only forty years old which is half the life expectancy of somebody who isn’t homeless. Homeless people are 17 times more likely to be a victim of violence. One in three people who are sleeping rough on the streets have been a victim of violence (Crisis, 2020).

Causes of Homelessness

A lot of people become homeless due to not being able to pay their rent any more or being unable to afford any sort of accommodation as the costs of accommodation is rising and is unaffordable to a lot of people. People end up sleeping rough due to unemployment, poverty, or marriages breaking down. Some people after they leave the army, care, or prison have nowhere to go when they get out or leave so they end up having to sleep on the street. For women who end up on the streets there is a high chance it has happens due to escaping a toxic or abusive relationship (Crisis, 2020).

Housing First Policy

The housing first model was conceived in 1992 as a response to people with mental health issues who were living on the streets. The target group for this model is people who have been sleeping rough or who have been using emergency accommodation for a long period of time, who have mental health and addiction needs. Housing first offers the provision of affordable and permanent accommodation (Rebuilding Ireland, 2018). They try to do this in the quickest way they can. Housing first will house the person who needs it the most first. They don’t have to be in remission or sober to be given a house. The housing first policy looks at who is in need of a house and who needs it the most. If a person in housing needs mental health or addiction services to help them, they will be provided with the necessary services after they have been placed (Rebuilding Ireland, 2018).

Housing First Europe Hub

The EU housing first hub is a network of organizations, foundations, and public authorities who are working to scale up housing first around the EU. The hub was established in Finland by a group called the Y-foundation in December 1985. It was also founded by the FEANTSA (European Federation of National Organizations Working with Homeless People), along with more than 15 partners in July 2016. There are four organizations in Ireland involved in the housing first EU, these include, Focus Ireland, The Simon Community, DePual and Respond (Housing First Europe Hub, 2020).

Organizations within the Homeless Sector

Focus Ireland is an organization who tries help families or individuals experiencing homelessness, and if someone is already experiencing homelessness, they provide the best supports possible for that individual or family. It will also help families and individuals from ever having to experience homelessness again (Focus Ireland, 2018).

The Simon Community provides medium and high supports for homeless people who are unable to live independently on their own. They also provide independent accommodation for families, couples, and also individuals. The Simon Community provide lots of services such as addiction aftercare, alcohol detox, counselling services, Residential Stabilization Respite and much more (Dublin Simon Community, 2020). They do their best to hep as many homeless people or families as they can and they do a lot of fundraising for homeless such as sleep outs, runs, and charity shops.

DePaul is a charity who supports couples, families, and individuals experiencing homelessness. Their mission is to end homelessness and to change the lives of people who have been affected by homelessness. According to DePaul they have helped 4000 people in the past year. There are five main sectors within DePaul, these include, families and young people, health and rehabilitation, housing, high support accommodation and prevention (Ie.depaulcharity.org, 2020).

Social Housing is for people who can’t afford their own accommodation. The housing is allocated based on the needs of the family or individual and the rent rate is based on the ability on being able to pay it. For people to be able to qualify for a social house the must need a social house and be eligible for one. You will only be assessed for a social house if the authority believes you are eligible for one meaning you are at need of one and meet the criteria.

Eligibility for Social Housing

There are three maximum thresholds that apply to different housing authorities. Every county in Ireland has a different threshold and there are also different thresholds for if you are applying for social housing alone or if you are applying with a family. There are three different bands in which a person can fall into. The bands are the maximum amount of income a single individual in a single household can earn. There is an allowance of 2.5% extra per child in the house and 5% per extra adult in the house hold, e.g band one for a single individual is €35,000, with one child it would be an additional €875 because of the 2.5% added on (The Irish Government, 2016).

HAP Scheme

HAP stands for Housing Assistant Payments. HAP is provided by all local authorities and it is a social housing support scheme. HAP means that anyone that qualifies for social housing assistance can be supported by the local authorities; this also includes Rent Supplement recipients (Housing Assistance Payment, n.d.) HAP aims to let their tenants keep their housing supports while still working full time and allow all social housing supports to be accessed through one body which would be the local authority. Anyone who hasn’t been housed by their own local authority and who qualifies for social housing support can apply for HAP.

How Does HAP Work

HAP tenants must find their own accommodation within the private rented market themselves after they have qualified for the HAP scheme and have been put on the local authority housing waiting list. After they have found their own property the landlord of that property must agree to rent it out to the HAP tenant. The local authority will make a monthly payment to the landlord which will be on the last Wednesday of every month. The payment is subject to terms and conditions including rent limits, and that the HAP tenant pays their rent contribution to the local authority. The rent contributions are usually made through the An Post’s household budget scheme. If the HAP tenant stops paying their rent contribution, then HAP will suspend their payments to the landlords and will eventually stop the payments all together. If this happens then the tenant will be fully responsible in paying their own rent (Housing Assistance Payment, n.d.).

Conclusion

In conclusion I have discussed that there are three different types of homelessness, hidden homelessness, visible homelessness and at risk of homelessness. That in 2019 there were 9,731 people homeless across Ireland which is a huge number and is a number that needs to be decreased drastically. There are more men on the streets or in emergency accommodation than there are women. There are many reasons for homelessness in Ireland such as divorce, alcohol abuse, addiction and much more. The housing first policy helps many people find homes and they don’t care if you are suffering from addiction or have mental health issues. They give their houses to the people who need them the most first which are important. They provide services for people who are suffering from addiction or who need mental health services after they have been housed. There are many organizations in Ireland such as Focus Ireland and DePaul, who are involved in helping the homeless and who do great work such as charity events etc. I also discussed social housing which is for people who can’t afford their own house or rent. They can get this through the HAP scheme or their local authority but they must be eligible for social housing. Homelessness is one of the biggest crises in Ireland and there is a lot that needs to be done to fix it and it will take years. I don’t think it will ever be one hundred percent fixed but I think if the government work hard and if everyone can do what they can to help the cause then a big difference could be made in a few years. A lot of young people voted Sinn Fein this year in the election as they promised to lower costs of housing and rents and to build 100,000 new houses over the next five years (Sinnfein.ie, 2020).

Bibliography

1. Census (2011). Census 2011 Results. [online] Central Statistics Office, p.1. Available at: https://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/census/documents/homelesspersonsinireland/Homeless_persons_in_Ireland_A_special_Census_report.pdf [Accessed 3 Mar. 2020].
2. Crisis. (2020). About Homelessness | Crisis | Together we will end homelessness. [online] Available at: https://www.crisis.org.uk/ending-homelessness/about-homelessness/ [Accessed 29 Feb. 2020].
3. Dublin Simon Community. (2020). Treatment | Dublin Simon Community. [online] Available at: https://www.dubsimon.ie/what-we-do/treatment/ [Accessed 3 Mar. 2020].
4. Focus Ireland. (2018). Our Services List – Focus Ireland. [online] Available at: https://www.focusireland.ie/our-stories/our-services-list/ [Accessed 2 Mar. 2020].
5. Focus Ireland. (2020). What Is Homelessness? – Focus Ireland. [online] Available at: https://www.focusireland.ie/get-involved/schools/student-resources/what-is-homelessness/ [Accessed 20 Feb. 2020].
6. Rebuilding Ireland (2018). Housing First National Implementation Plan 2018-2021. Dublin, pp.8-11.
7. Housing Assistance Payment. (n.d.). What is HAP?. [online] Available at: http://hap.ie/whatishap/ [Accessed 2 Mar. 2020].
8. Housing Assistance Payment. (n.d.). How Does HAP Work? [online] Available at: http://hap.ie/howhapworks/ [Accessed 2 Mar. 2020]
9. Housing First Europe Hub. (2020). Home – Housing First Europe Hub. [online] Available at: https://housingfirsteurope.eu/ [Accessed 3 Mar. 2020].
10. Ie.depaulcharity.org. (2020). Our Services | Depaulcharity. [online] Available at: https://ie.depaulcharity.org/our-work/our-services [Accessed 3 Mar. 2020].
11. Sinnfein.ie. (2020). Giving Workers & Families a Break: A Manifesto for Change. Pp5, [online] Available at: https://www.sinnfein.ie/files/2020/SF_GE2020_Manifesto.pdf [Accessed 8 Mar. 2020].
12. The Irish Government (2016). Social Housing Policy. pp.1-2.

Homelessness is a huge issue that seems to go unnoticed on the grounds.

Los Angeles, California positions in as the second biggest city in the United States. It is home to 3.8 billion individuals, including numerous renowned motion picture stars. Known for being one of the sunniest and most traveler cognizant urban areas, Los Angeles offers numerous attractions for guests (issue of vagrancy). They hold numerous games scenes also, including the Staples Center, which houses the L.A. Lakers and many honors appears, similar to the Grammys. Throughout the years Los Angeles created epithets for its city, for example, L.A. also, the City of Angels. During the daytime, Los Angeles is a position of business, high society residents wander the lanes and motion picture makers are shooting their next success. Then again, at evening it’s simply a bad dream you can’t wake up from; a large number of individuals are left wandering the lanes scanning for a spot to rest. What we don’t regularly catch wind of or see is Los Angeles’ Skid Row, which stows away in the shadows of the midtown horizon. This fifty square segment of downtown L.A. holds the biggest concentrated territory of vagrants in the whole United States. The area of Fifth Street is likewise alluded to as ‘the nickel’. It is said that Skid Row is America’s just third world city. Ghetto-town is simply an aftereffect of the local’s improvement.

To reestablish Los Angeles’ white collar class society, it must give and make enough moderate lodging units. Moderate lodging is the proportion of lodging expenses to family pay. Families ought not pay over 30% of their pay, however in L.A. generally moderate to low pay families, pay half. For somebody to live in a one-room condo in L.A., they should make at least $48,000 per year. A normal group of four with two working guardians must make $70,000 every year, just to skim by. In 2007, only 3% of homes sold in Los Angeles were sensible for center compensation families. As the requirement for lodging becomes bigger the quantity of vagrants, additionally increment. Not exclusively are these designers fabricating new apartment suites, yet they are expelling occupants too. These families that are being ousted or level out can’t bear the cost of the new estimating are left without a home. Because of the lack of moderate lodging units, the Hollywood Community Housing Corporation framed a lottery for individuals to get an opportunity to verify a spot in another fifty-eight unit financed condo. Lines framed 700 individuals profound, sitting tight for an application. Despite the fact that they may have gotten an application, that didn’t mean they were acknowledged. The lodging partnership’s official executive said that sponsored activities like this one were turning out to be increasingly harder to fund.

On a normal night in Los Angeles, 73,000 vagrants meander the lanes without a spot to rest. Around 40% of the destitute have been like this for not exactly a year. About a large portion of the occupants living in L.A. are lodging a relative or companion, to keep them off the lanes. Los Angeles County supplies 17,000 crisis beds for the destitute. This low sum doesn’t approach the interest for them. Sanctuary Partnership did an investigation that indicated how L. A’s. havens and organizations just oblige a fourth of destitute families. An expected measure of 10,000 individuals were discovered living in inhabitable zones. Not just has the absence of moderate lodging caused vagrancy, yet the economy too. The downturn has affected the activity advertise extraordinarily. It has been anticipated by Goldman Sachs that joblessness will keep on ascending all through 2010. This would make almost 10 million Americans live in destitution. The United States is managing the most noteworthy measure of joblessness rates, it has ever observed. The non-benefit association, Chrysalis, gives work chances to assist family with avoiding the danger of getting destitute. Chrysalis Endeavors is Los Angeles just non-benefit association. Every year, they help more than 2,500 individuals maintain a strategic distance from the dangers of neediness and vagrancy. They give yearly help to transitional employments to 600 people each year. Despite the fact that Congress is required to attempt to reestablish a few million employments, an unimaginably high number of individuals will in any case be at the danger of getting destitute.

Neighborhood and state locales have orchestrated interagency intends to avert vagrancy. This has decreased the quantity of unsheltered individuals previously, and if appropriate assets are utilized than it could diminish the expansion of vagrancy during the downturn. Satisfactory subsidizing must be given so as to the interagency intends to work adequately. Notwithstanding, states and territories are managing spending deficits. The downturn has made them sliced projects and raise charges to attempt to keep their spending limit adjusted. Vagrancy aversion will beyond question battle to keep up, not to mention increment appropriate subsidizing. Somewhere in the range of 2007 and 2008 Los Angeles County has revealed a 12% expansion in welfare help for families who are destitute. More families will fall into profound neediness if the joblessness rate continues rising. An expected 900,000 to 1.1 million families with kids will arrive at the degree of extreme neediness if this occurs, leaving them with the danger of vagrancy and lodging unsteadiness.

In spite of falling salaries and rising joblessness, rents are as yet being passed through the rooftop. Home dispossessions continually continue pushing property holders into the rental advertise. The extreme issue with home abandonments and lodging parts just helps provide food the expansion of destitute families. The interest for rental units will ceaselessly become despite the fact that the costs of homes are falling. Families, who might initially be purchasing homes at the present time, are leasing; they are trusting that the economy and costs will settle before doing as such.

Vagrancy will keep on ascending during the downturn, as long as the lodging market keeps up its progressing inconveniences. One-way Los Angeles can help attempt to forestall vagrancy, is by offering lodging vouchers. These vouchers can be utilized for families to cover past due utility tabs or lease. Families managing dispossession can be helped with movement reserves, a one-time cost related with moving into another home. Shockingly, the main way these momentary help projects will work, is if families can maintain their progressing rental expenses. In 2008, Congress gave 15,000 new lodging vouchers. Just 2,840 of the new vouchers were given to families with youngsters; the families likewise must be associated with the cultivate framework. The remainder of the vouchers were saved for handicapped individuals and destitute veterans. On the off chance that no extraordinary confinements on qualification for new vouchers are set by Congress, at that point state and nearby organizations that get the assets will be answerable for dispensing them. Almost certainly, the greater part of the vouchers will be given to poor families with kids. On the off chance that 200,000 new lodging vouchers were given all through 2010, including regulatory charges, it would cost $2.1 billion. These extra vouchers could strain HUD’s 2011 spending plan. Resulting spending weights could be kept away from, if the recuperation bundle expressed that organizations couldn’t reissue vouchers after a family has left the program and different vouchers must be unavailable for general use before the finish of 2010. By not enabling organizations to reissue vouchers, generally 30% of the new vouchers will be resigned by the consummation schedule year of 2010.

In light of the downturn, it is improbable that families will leave the program, however there is as yet an opportunity that a few families may leave the program for non-financial reasons. The plausibility of less individuals leaving the program than foreseen could bring about a requirement for extra financing in 2011, to support new vouchers that were not counterbalanced. The proposed financing of $2.1 billion is just intended to cover a multi month time frame. On the off chance that Congress gave a multi month program, then organizations could acknowledge a higher number of vouchers and further help counteract vagrancy in their locale.

With the new proposition, families would have the option to spend more cash on nourishment, apparel, and human services. The advantages of attempting to dispense with and diminish vagrancy would be quick and long haul. New vouchers would help siphon assets again into nearby economies inside a four to half year time span. When contrasting Michigan with California with the assessed state portions of prescribed increments in lodging vouchers and ESG vagrancy aversion subsidizing, California will get 26,962 additional vouchers and $182,507,187 more new ESG assets than Michigan.

References

1. Verrier, Richard. “On Location: Lost Angels’ Documentary Focuses on L.A. Skid Row”. Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2011, http://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2011-oct-12-la-fi-ct-onlocation-20111012-story.html
2. Boucher, Geoff, et al. “L.A.’s Story Is Complicated, but They Got It”. Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2008, http://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-aug-31-ca-25films31-story.html
3. Tinoco, Matt. “Homelessness Is Getting Worse In Southern California. Here’s Why”. LAist, 10 May 2019, http://laist.com/2019/05/10/homelessness_increase_los_angeles_inequality.php
4. “Homelessness in Los Angeles County 2019”. Los Angeles Almanac. © 1998-2019 Given Place Media, publishing as Los Angeles Almanac. 21 Nov. 2019 http://www.laalmanac.com/history/hi03c.php
5. Cowan, Jill. “Homeless Populations Are Surging in Los Angeles. Here’s Why”. The New York Times, The New York Times, 5 June 2019, http://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/05/us/los-angeles-homeless-population.html
6. Ridley-Thomas, Mark. “Homelessness Is Reaching an Emergency Level in Los Angeles”. CNN, Cable News Network, 18 Sept. 2019, http://www.cnn.com/2019/09/18/opinions/homeless-la-state-of-emergency-ridley-thomas/index.html

Homelessness in New Hampshire

For my research paper, I have chosen the topic of homelessness. More specifically, the homeless problem in the state of New Hampshire and the issues that are currently unresolved regarding the matter. I’ve always found it alarming that although we live in one of the richest countries in the world, homelessness and poverty continue to be a very legitimate issues. I am aiming to get a comprehensive picture of what is being offered to the homeless in our area and country at this time. Prior to learning more about how our state and country are dealing with this issue, I have always been sure there are things that we could be doing differently. I aim to identify some areas of improvement on this topic by gathering as much information as possible.

Discrepancies in Addressing the Issue

Through doing a small amount of research thus far, I stumbled upon an interesting fact. In the early to late 2000s, there were several calls to arms to end homelessness on a state and national level. Despite the fact that these calls to arms were made and presumably some sort of an action plan was put into place, the number of homeless has increased. (Kenny). It seems as though an important factor that will need to be touched upon is money. After all, money is at the root of what this issue and its lack of an easy solution comes down to.

Someone who is developing a housing complex would generally prefer to turn them into apartments for rent-paying customers rather than voluntarily turning them into shelters for the homeless. What it may come down to is that people who have the capital to do such things are generally unwilling to volunteer their money and resources for such a cause. Perhaps we may need to be allocating more tax dollars to this effort.

Likely, there would be many taxpayers upset by this concept, but it is certainly an idea. I did, however, come upon some interesting info, “Cost studies have demonstrated that it is more expensive to keep people on the streets, incurring the high costs of crisis intervention, emergency room health care, and revolving-door intervention programs than it is to provide permanent supported housing that produces much better outcomes.” With this knowledge, it makes you want to take a deeper look at the real reasons why we have yet to make much-needed improvements on this issue.

Underlying Causes and Solutions

Off the top of my head, I am aware that two major causes of homelessness are mental illness and substance abuse. Being that these factors are a root cause of homelessness for many people, I believe it is necessary to provide the homeless with help regarding these areas, which could, in turn, help get them back on their feet. This would once again cost money, but if the help that is being provided to the homeless is effective, it could prevent the continuous costs that were mentioned in the quote I provided earlier.

Personal Reflection and Action

After putting some thought into this issue and its need for improvement, it made me consider what I could possibly do to help aid this matter. A couple of years back, I was required to volunteer at a soup kitchen when I was at a drug and alcohol treatment center in New Haven, Connecticut. The homeless problem there is very abundant, but from what I saw, there were a good number of soup kitchens located throughout the city. Nevertheless, it seems like we need to be doing more to tackle the root of the problem. It felt good to be helping out there, and it is definitely something I would like to revisit in the near future.

Works Cited

1. Kenny, Jack. “The Nagging Problem of Homelessness in New Hampshire.” New Hampshire Business Review, 2018, www.nhbr.com/March-16-2018/Homeless-in-New-Hampshire/.

The Depth of Homelessness and Untreated Mental Illness

Homelessness plagues the streets of every urban area in the United States; many of these people have health issues that have been left untreated. “Approximately one-third of the total homeless population includes individuals with serious, untreated mental illnesses according to a research summary compiled by the Treatment Advocacy Center” (Treatment Advocacy Center). With a lack of government and community assistance, how are these people supposed to re-establish themselves as members of society?

The Decline in Mental Health Support

This is not a new issue, years of neglect have caused a plethora of issues that all need to be addressed:

A 2017 analysis of psychiatric inpatient capacity by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) detailed a 77.4 percent decline in psychiatric beds since 1970. Similarly, my organization found that state psychiatric hospital beds are now at their lowest level since the 1850s, with less than 12 such beds per 100,000 population nationally.

With advances in medicine, more educated doctors, access to statistics, insurance, and government officials that have ways of helping these individuals, something must change. Fellow citizens are willing to help those caught in this situation. The logic behind not providing more assistance is we are saving money, and our taxes should be used to fund other things, such as roads. However, it is much more expensive to deny help to those that need it.

Local Initiatives in Addressing Homelessness

Though officials believe that they are saving money by releasing patients from mental hospitals, there is a significant cost to the patient and to society at large. “In 2001, a University of Pennsylvania study that examined 5,000 homeless people with mental illnesses in New York City found that they cost taxpayers an average of $40,500 a year for their use of emergency rooms, psychiatric hospitals, shelters, and prisons.

This doesn’t just affect those that are homeless; their families and loved ones feel the impact and see the unfairness that has been allowed to happen:

Over the past 20 years, my organization, the Treatment Advocacy Center, has worked with more than 30 states to modernize their civil commitment standards to include factors beyond overt dangerousness. This reform effort gained vital advocacy support from families who had faced the nightmare of seeing an obviously ill loved one denied care simply because they had not yet become violent. As evidenced by these families’ experiences, demanding immediate evidence of danger delays the provision of care, often leading to unjustifiable deterioration and unnecessary criminalization. Mental health and other disabilities can be linked to homelessness; state and local governments must balance tax budgets to give assistance to those that are incapable of finding places to live.

As stated before, families don’t want to see their loved ones neglected. However, you don’t have to be related to someone in order to have sympathy for them. “This study measured Americans’ willingness to pay an additional $50 in taxes to improve health care and social services for individuals with serious mental illness”. Obviously, without government intervention, our taxes will not suddenly make a change and create ways to assist the homeless.

In some places, like Seattle, they are taking this problem head-on. “Create 15,000 units of affordable, workforce, and permanent supportive housing to move people off our streets and under a permanent roof”. This is simply the best solution; if people are homeless, create homes for them. The same principle is applied to the workforce; if people need work, they create jobs. It seems simple, but it is the way to go our solving it. This isn’t the most unique solution, but it still has the potential to assist a lot of people in their journey to making a life of their own. Seattle knows that you must not only address the current issue. They must also prevent the issue from getting worse, so they chose to take another step:

But the City of Seattle is deploying new and unprecedented resources in coordination with our partners at King County to make progress – from doing more to prevent people from falling into homelessness to building thousands of new affordable housing units to deploying new bridge housing and shelter units, picking up trash and waste. With faith in his citizens’ vitality, Seattle’s Mayor, Mark Leno, is willing to put in a huge amount of money to force change:

On December 18, 2017, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced more than $100 million in investments to build and preserve 1,450 affordable homes in neighborhoods across Seattle, including the construction of 896 new homes in nine new buildings. These Office of Housing investments represent a spectrum of different housing types for low-income residents, including permanent supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness, apartments for low-income individuals and families, transit-oriented development, and homes for first-time homebuyers.¨

Naturally, not everyone can agree on a solution, no matter the problem. Higher taxes have always been, and likely always will be, opposed by the citizens paying them. In the words of Jeff Stein:

¨The abrupt reversal enraged some supporters of the ‘head’ tax, who argued that wealthy corporations in the city could afford to pay more to address homelessness. The measure, passed unanimously by the city council last month, levied a $275-per-employee tax on companies with at least $20 million in gross annual revenue.

Clearly, it is stated that the vote passed, but it didn’t come without backlash. Big businesses are established to make money, and if you tax them, they will oppose. The cost, besides the money, is that the rich will be slightly less rich. This does not outweigh the aid it will give. But even after the new revenue is becoming available, will the government use it correctly? Some people doubt that.

For example, Bruce Miller was quoted saying, ¨Bruce Miller, a Seattle resident since 1971, said he traditionally supported tax levies, but no longer will. “I feel like city government doesn’t understand and respect taxpayer dollars, and doesn’t take responsibility for them,” said Miller, to applause”. This is not the case with more money; local governments are using the money they are receiving to fund what they are saying they will fund. It is time to trust local governments with our money and allow them to provide for those that the citizens cannot.

Public Housing and Preventative Measures

Another approach to solving homelessness is to create public housing for people who can’t afford their own. Seattle is not the only major city battling homelessness. New York is also searching to find their own way of addressing this expanding issue. The city has been happy with the results of its new program and continues to expand it. So much so they are using their permanent housing as a way to prevent the further fall of those who were neglected. The Coalition for Homelessness says this: “Another proven solution developed in New York City and replicated nationwide is the “housing first” approach to street homelessness, which builds on the success of permanent supportive housing”.

The second alternative is to fight the problem before it happens. By having the housing, you can almost count on people still becoming homeless. So to prevent the issue from growing, they chose to help prevent addiction, help victims of abuse, and raise awareness of what really causes homelessness.

An organization known as “Raising the Roof” is helping to spread this message by saying, “Primary Prevention is an “upstream” approach that targets groups who are at risk of becoming homeless due to factors such as abuse, addiction, and unemployment. This model minimizes entry into homelessness by offering targeted awareness campaigns and support” (Raising the Roof). With these two methods combined, New York is on its way to pulling the homeless off the street and helping those in damaging environments to recover.

As great as it would be to be able to provide a house for someone until they can get back on their feet, there is no way to give every single person a house of their own. The mentally ill, drug addicts, alcoholics, and victims of abuse could potentially all be in the same house. Without much thought, red flags go up in a person’s mind, even those who need a place to live. Even those who support public housing are weary of it. “I’ve learned that many communities are still engaged in the so-called “Housing First’ debate.”

Communities continue to examine whether Housing First is the right way to address homelessness, saying things like, “We already have a Housing First program; we don’t need any more.” Or “One size doesn’t fit all. Housing First isn’t for everyone.” Or even, “It’s immoral and harmful to put people who drink into housing.” (Usich.gov). While it is a legitimate concern, it has been discussed and decided the benefit it would offer outweighs the danger. The housing would be supervised, would the residents would be encouraged to beat their addiction and become a functioning members of society.

The other two solutions show promise and have benefits of their own none of them would be possible without funding. As the saying goes: money doesn’t grow on trees, so a tax would have to be implemented to make these things possible. Funding this noble cause will not only benefit the city’s culture but will also help businesses by giving them employees to help them grow. The following quote still reigns true:
Though officials believe that they are saving money by releasing patients from mental hospitals, there is a significant cost to the patient and to society at large. “In 2001, a University of Pennsylvania study that examined 5,000 homeless people with mental illnesses in New York City found that they cost taxpayers an average of $40,500 a year for their use of emergency rooms, psychiatric hospitals, shelters, and prisons.

We must use our benefits to help those that lack the ability to help themselves. Without doing so, who is to say that you might have a mental breakdown, fall into addiction, and have nowhere else to turn? Essentially we are creating a safety net for ourselves while lifting those around us. The stereotype of homeless people, who are lazy and let themselves get there, is plaguing society; some people are just trying to get by and have a better future. They may have lacked the knowledge of what it truly took to reach their dreams, but why should we, the people reaching our dreams, not want others to succeed? Take this quote as your proof that not all homeless people are slackers:

The fact that our City sidewalks are home to families and children is unacceptable. In 2016 nearly 2,100 students in San Francisco were identified as homeless. These are children who are being educated in our schools during the day yet have no permanent place to call home at night to eat dinner, do homework, or rest. This must change. Not only must we do what we can to assist parents, but we must also focus on the impacts of homelessness on children and offer support services that meet students where they are and lift them up to where they can and should be” (Leno).

Our own students seeking and striving for education are left with little to no money and no place to sleep. How, as a society, can we allow them, who we encouraged to get a higher education, to fall into a broken system? A system that requires nearly perfect execution of loans, debts, and personal accounting to live in poverty. Join the movement, donate if you are not required by the tax, don’t judge those who have been forgotten, see them in a new light, and help them obtain what you have worked hard for. They will surprise you with what they are willing to do for another chance in the land of opportunity.

References:

1. Treatment Advocacy Center.
2. Leno, Mark.
3. Raising the Roof.

Rising Homelessness Rates

Homelessness in America is snowballing for the first time in over a decade. The rate of homelessness is continuously growing by 0.7 percent, leaving roughly 553,742 Americans homeless. Conferring to the January Point-in-Time tally, the major subset of this latest statistic is of unaided children, accounting for roughly 15 percent of those who are displaced.

Underlying Causes and Solutions

There are numerous common reasons for homelessness, such as encumbering chronic health circumstances and domestic violence conditions. Nonetheless, the most noticeable cause of homelessness in America is, by far, that individuals cannot access housing that they can pay for. The National Alliance to End Homelessness acknowledges this circumstance and suggests numerous methods in which this prevalent issue can be deciphered. The most operative way out is a community effort to gather data on local regions and use that data to select the most valuable techniques in which to apportion funds, programs, and amenities.

Being homeless is not just a dearth of shelter; it is also living in perilous circumstances. The high cost of housing has put pressure on Americans fiscally; most families are repaying just about half of their salaries for housing. With the augmented amenities and programs such as Housing and Urban Development, Veterans Affairs, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, these programs have moved their emphasis to more lasting housing resolutions for the homeless. With the $4.5 billion of federal subsidy allocated to homelessness, it will not answer the homeless subject in America because of a dearth of reasonable housing; it will aid in increasing assistance programs that are obtainable for those who require affordable housing.

Impact and Personal Stories

Homelessness is a severe problem that, as a nation, we ought to always be conscious of. Homelessness has no identity; it could affect an individual at any point and time in life. It is more than just not being in possession of shelter; those who are sheltered still face possible homelessness at some time in life. In order to drop the homeless population, homeless persons ought to be offered a place to live to have a healthier life. By having a safe place to call home, the homeless can feel protected and recognize they will not be in any sort of vulnerability.

Along with that, underprivileged persons can start to adjust to a new lifestyle that will hearten them to be sober from drugs or hunt for a job. These shelters can comprise small bed-sitters, like studio-size, a kitchen for the homeless to learn how to prepare meals for themselves, and a free clinic for drug testing to ensure the homeless keep on sober or get recommended medication. If homeless individuals live in a shelter, their lives will advance. By staying in a safe shelter, the homeless will increase their health and get themselves organized to hunt for a job.

Homelessness was at a record high from 2012 -2013; reports designate that families doubled and grew to about 7.7 million persons; this was an upsurge of 3.7 percent. With employment cuts and increased cost of medical insurance, a lot of individuals fiscally could not afford to sustain their rent or monthly premiums. According to an editorial authored by Magtalas, “3.5 million people experience homelessness in America each year, 610,042 people were homeless on a single night in January 2013, and 6,197 children are under the age of 18, homeless, and have no parent looking after them.”

The Homeless population continues to grow; the state of California, for instance, they have the highest number of homeless persons, 22 percent of its entire population is homeless, and that translates to 136,824 persons on the street with nowhere to stay. As shown from all this data, homelessness is very real, and it can affect anybody at any time during their lifetime. For some individuals, homelessness is a choice, but for a lot of individuals, homelessness is not.

Controversies Surrounding Homelessness

Numerous aspects bring about being homeless, such as job cuts, physical and mental incapacity, and different hardships, which could be subjective, and drug addiction can hasten people’s slide into poverty. The Homelessness in America website offers the statistics that are required to be acquainted with homelessness in America. The website displays how the homeless are susceptible to health dangers, violence, and aggravation by the police, and it takes up for the homeless by affirming, “homeless is not an intrinsic excellence of trait, and it is not connected with and precise identity.”

Even though some people may be opposed to supporting the homeless population, they contend it is not one’s obligation to aid individuals who may elect this way of life of being homeless. A number of homeless individuals elect to be poor and throw away assistance from good-intended persons and organizations. An individual holds liability if he or she chooses to use drugs and substances. At some point, these happenings may lead an individual to not having any money and resources due to drug usage or being unprepared to take care of a kid.

In supposition, the earnestness to shrivel the homeless population is great. Once the shelters are existent, the homeless persons will keep off the streets and enhance their lives. While living in the homeless accommodations, these individuals will obligate to achieve employment and continue living free from any dependence they may have. Not only will it advantage the lives of the homeless, but as well the community as a whole.

Works Cited

1. ‘Addiction: Homelessness linked to previous health problems.’ The Practitioner 28 May 2007: 27. General OneFile. Web. 30 January 2019.
2. Brinkerhoff, David B., Rose Weitz, and Suzanne T. Ortega. Essentials of Sociology. 9th ed. Belmont: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2011. 160. Print.
3. Holden, Constance. “Homelessness: Experts Differ on Root Causes.” Science 232 (2012): 569. Gale Power Research. Web. 30 January 2019.
4. “Homelessness.” Current Issues: Macmillan Social Science Library. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 30 January 2019.
5. The State Of Homelessness in America (2015) from National Alliance to End Homeless: http://endhomelessness.org/library/entry/the-state-of-homelessness-in-america-2015. Web. 30 January 2019.
6. Quigley, J. M., & Raphael, S., Magtalas M. Homelessness in America http://www.homelessnessinamerica.us/ Web. 30 January 2019.