...Introduction Homelessness is a crisis faced across the globe. Homelessness can be simply defined as a person living without a home, forcing them to reside on the streets. Some homeless people exit the situation quickly, but many more fall into homelessness long term. Much of this trend is due to many social-economical factors in the society. Drugs, finances and abuse are some of the root causes to this problem. The lack of jobs, rise in living costs, addictions to drugs, and domestic disputes are what drive people to become homeless. According to a report released by the US census Bureau, (2014), the rise in homelessness is significant, hitting 3.5 million people who experience the situation in every year. Out of the 3.5 people experiencing homelessness, 35% of them are families that include children. The families in the United States are the fastest growing segment of homeless individuals. The military veterans who are homeless constitute 23% of the total people who are homeless in the United States. Of the 3.5 million homeless people, 25% are minors who are aged below 18 years (U.S. Census Bureau 2014). The minors become homeless when their families or the caretakers become homeless. Some of the homeless children lack paternal families and may have run away from the orphanage and children homes to make lives on their own. The statistics showed that 30% of the homeless people had experienced domestic violence and 25% suffered from mental illnesses. In the urban settings...
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...The Homeless Plight Student Name Course/Professor Date The Homeless Plight Homelessness is on the rise. Homeless people can be seen sleeping in a variety of places such as city subways, terminals, stations, and the underground world of transportation. In the winter, the homeless may be sleeping on top of grates for the warm steam; fires may be burning from cylinders on street corners, under bridges, or in alley ways for warmth. In the summer, buses, subway cars, malls, and fountains are but a slight relief for those homeless until an authority figure moves the person(s) on. In small suburban areas, most of the homeless are hidden and out of view. The United States faces many social problems; however, homelessness is a major dilemma. To understanding the issue of homelessness from a sociologist point of view, different lenses need to be used. The sociological perspectives of functionalism, conflict structuralists, and symbolic interactionism, provide the best angles to assess homelessness in the United States as well as analyzing the efforts to resolve the homeless dilemma the nation faces. There are approximately two million homeless men, women, and children, and the numbers are increasing. For the second consecutive year, homeless families are on the rise (AHAR, 2009). Causes of this dilemma are vast and include hardships from loss of employment, illness, lack of affordable housing, poverty, and the current economy. The number of homeless is constantly changing. Researchers...
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...Homelessness in California Introduction Homelessness is a condition or a state where an individual or a family does not have a home to live in. Along with that, the person is deprived of the legal and the social dimensions making him emotionally weak and in the state of isolation. Since the year 1980s, there had been a great shock to the Americans due to the rising homelessness. This led to a burst in the studies and the rising stories related to the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of July 1987. In this act, there was an interference allowed of the federal government into this policy of homelessness, which had created many issues. For many years after that, this issue of homelessness remained on the top of the line in the political issues face by the Californian government. Basically the non-profit organizations focused on improving the life quality of the people in the city, especially those who did not have a place to spend their nights. It is a fact that there should be some very efficient approach to eliminate this homelessness problem, the Californian government has taken some steps and brought in a modest change in their policies to attack this homelessness problem very obviously. Their main change in the policy was to provide housing to the poor and the needy people (Hombs, Mary Ellen, and Mitch Snyder, 1982). Despite this action which the government took, there had been a consensus in the year 1980 which reflected the fact that the homelessness in US...
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...Homelessness is not a new problem facing our nation; it dates back to the beginning of time. Homelessness is defined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as “an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” This definition is how the number of homeless individuals in the U.S. is calculated. There are many reasons why a person becomes homeless; some people are homeless by choice, others are forced there by circumstances. According to a 2006 report issued by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the main causes of Homelessness are: lack of affordable housing, poverty, low paying jobs, unemployment, mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence and prisoner re-entry. This report will take a closer look at each cause to determine why it is such an issue. Is homelessness and problem people must accept as inevitable or is there a solution to reduce the number of homeless in our community? Over the past 25 years, several trends have contributed to the rise in homelessness. The first trend is a shortage in affordable rental housing. This includes all forms of rental property whether it is a house or apartment. Rental rates rose with the rate of home values but when the housing market crashed at the end of 2007, the rental rates did not drop. The increased popularity of luxury, resort-style apartments have also aided in a high rent market. The foreclosures that the United States has been experiencing have left many people with...
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...There are two sides to every story, as if that explains and justifies everything you know what I say when someone tell me that? I say well of course there are two sides to every story. The two stories there are sides to are the cause of been homelessness in America is not something that was created overnight, it’s been around for a long time; often we choose not to see the homeless, or bother them, so we think it’s alright to look the other way. We frequently falsely accuse homeless people to be existing/former drug abusers or once patients released from mental institutions. Homelessness is not a disease that you can catch if you come in contact with a homeless person, but it certainly has afflicted many of us. Isn’t this the country called the “Land of Opportunity”, while there’s millions of Americans deprived of such success-but why? There has been 4 major trends that are largely responsible for the rise of homelessness over the past 25 years: a growing shortage of affordable rental housing, a rise in the increase of poverty, and an increase in mental illness and chemical dependency. The shortage of low rent housing in the US reached a record high in 1995 when the number of low income renter households exceeded the number of low cost rental units by 4.4 million (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities). The shortage of affordable housing grew extraordinary even in the 1990s despite the strong economic growth. Between 1991-95, when the recession of the early 1990s reached bottom...
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...Child homelessness is on the rise in America. ¬This must be corrected before more children become homeless. In 2013 Alabama ranked #50 for having the most homeless children in the United States, Arizona is number 45 (Sco). Children who are homeless are more likely to be victims of poverty, domestic violence, and affordable housing. Right now in America, NBC reported that in 2014 one in 30 American children are homeless (Martha C. White). Why are so many children homeless this day and age? How would it feel it have a homeless son or daughter? Homeless children are often victims of poverty, domestic violence, or affordable housing. This is why so many of them are homeless. Homeless people have something in common whether you are young or old, its substance abuse (Zeisemer). Youth and teens ages 12-21 often find themselves lost with nowhere to go. Some of these teens often resort to the use of drugs and alcohol (Ringwalt.) Drugs and alcohol for these kids help cope with what they are experiencing. With the use of drugs and alcohol this leads to the children killing themselves because they overdose or become addicted. Drugs and alcohol are a factor to homelessness, because of this child homelessness is on the rise....
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...Homelessness: Understanding Why Abstract In January of 2014, 578,424 people were going through homelessness, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. The three main reasons for the large measure of homeless families and people in America and other countries as well are affordable housing, low wages, and mental illnesses. Other reasons also include addictions, abuse, health care, and/or natural occurrences are contributors towards the distressing circumstances of homelessness, which often leads to divorce, health concerns, and educational obstacles. This paper introduces where homeless began and where it needs to end. Homelessness: Understanding Why T.S, Elliot stated “Home is where we start from”. David Belgum, a volunteer Chaplin with the Salvation Army Corp, asked these simple questions, “Is the length of residence in one place a criterion? How substantial does it have to be to be classified as a home? Who should judge whether or not the category of homelessness is to be applied in a given situation—the resident or residents, or someone from the "establishment"?” (Belgum). For many people this is true, but for many it’s not, but whose call is it to make? Many studies are inadequate when it comes to know accurately knowing how many people are in shelters or on the streets. The information found through these studies can be helpful when it comes to knowing roughly the amount of people that use the places like shelters and soup kitchens, but it could...
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...Homelessness is the big issue for every country which give rise to rough sleeping on streets, parks or grounds which not only affect their health but also have a bad impact on their mental stability. Many of them are also experiencing violence, abuse , injuries and deaths. Rough sleeping is the mark of housing crisis. Individuals those who are homeless from a longer period, the situation of housing crisis is worsened due to the effects of mental illness, unemployment, substance and child abuse. Homeless people also suffering from so many disadvantages, getting the home is the half challenge. ‘Staying housed’ is equally difficult. Rising of homelessness has blown away the minds of government. Thus, the Victorian government stated two year...
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...A Rhetorical Analysis of Duffield’s “Should Federal Agencies Use the Same Definition of Homelessness”? Kim Boltenhouse WRIT 120 H1FF Krista Hilton 12/01/2013 A Rhetorical Analysis of Duffield’s “Should Federal Agencies Use the Same Definition of Homelessness”? The author, Barbara Duffield, Policy Director for National Association for the education of homeless children and youth, writes for CQ Researcher the article “Should federal agencies use the same definitions of homelessness?” Duffield aims to substantiate that federal agencies, using different definitions of the law create complications. That clear guidelines need defined for establishing what is best for families and youth found in a homeless situation. Justification for changing the definition of homelessness is provided in this article by Duffield using ethos to prove creditability with homelessness, logos to support why she believes in modifying the definition and pathos to create empathy the with the readers on effects of homelessness. Duffield proves ethos in the article by quoting Federal law, The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) criteria, and her professional credentials on the issues of homeless. According to HUD in the article it “…bases people's eligibility on where they happen to find refuge: with very few exceptions, HUD limits homeless assistance to people who are on the street or are fortunate enough to have found a shelter bed.” (2013, para. 2) and “Under federal...
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...Rationale and Analysis for Agency Selected Public Personal Management Introduction The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has been around for over a decade. It introduced in 1937. Robert C. Weaver was the first HUD secretary as of January 18, 1966 (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2015). Currently Secretary Julian Castro, holds this position. When most people hear “HUD”, they think of housing for the poor, but HUD helps everyone. HUD’s mission is “To create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes; utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination, and transform the way HUD does business. (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2015)” While HUD provides an outstanding program for our citizens, they still currently work to make sure that the budget they receive is used wisely to meet everyone’s needs. Agency Functions The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has several functions. Its main function is to serve the public. The three main functions are to support the housing market and economic recovery, improve the way federal dollars are spent, and to protect the housing opportunities for the highly disadvantaged. These functions are all highly important...
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...Homelessness in America seems to happen with alarming frequency. Homelessness affects millions of Americans each year, with approximately one third of the population suffering from severe mental disorders. It is a devastating experience for families. Every year, the United States conduct an enumeration of homeless people around the nation. These reports of homeless people conducted by the National Alliance to End Homelessness are based on the definition set by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), in what is commonly known as a “point-in -time” count. Point-in-time counts are the only measure that captures unsheltered persons experiencing homelessness. Last year's point-in-time count is the most recent national estimate of homelessness in the United States. As of January 2013, the national count of unsheltered people experiencing homelessness decreases by 11.6% between 2012 and 2013. There is a common misconception that homelessness is an issue that only pertains to single men and women, but in reality over 600,000 families a year will experience homelessness. The problems of family homelessness are not solely restricted to urban areas; rural area and suburban communities are increasingly plagued by the problem. The three main reasons for the abundance of dispossessed families within America are the following: 1) the lack of affordable housing, 2) poverty, and 3) mental illness. In today's society, these causes are the main contributors towards...
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...Specific Population and Advocate Role Paper In this country today, there are thousands of people who are homeless. A homeless person is someone who doesn’t have a permanent home to live; this also means a person who is sleeping in a relative’s sofa or floor. Illness, violence, addictions, poor nutrition, and unemployment are some of the problems that come alone with homelessness. “The most proximate cause of homelessness in America is poverty” (St. Martin’s Hospitality Center, 2013). In this paper, I will briefly touch on issues of advocacy in human services. I will also examine and briefly discuss the homeless population; including my perspective on my ability to assist with the issues that the homeless face such as shelter, food, clothing, transportation, and job training as an advocate. Since the population of homelessness is on the rise, new programs have been formulated by experts in order to aid the homeless and try to prevent the homeless population from increasing. “Advocacy refers to influencing decisions that affect the welfare or interests of another individual or group” (Barsky, A.E, 2000). Helping clients set goals, educating them of the resources they have available, helping them find the available resources, and working towards changes in policies that limit their abilities would be a way of me advocating for the homeless. Empowering clients to change their situation is an important way for me to advocate. One of the best ways that I could advocate for the...
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...On any given day homeless numbers rise and fall due to economic conditions, incarcerations, death and possibly successfully pulling yourself up out of the situation. There are many factors that can lead to homelessness: job loss, addiction, domestic abuse and mental illness. Once a person is in the grip of homelessness it is hard to rise out of. Survival becomes the number one concern. They face challenges everyday that most people never have to face. Getting money for food, or alcohol or drugs is their most basic goal. A person is at such a low point in their life that they feel worthless, suffer from low self-esteem and hopelessness. For many addiction doesn’t begin until after they find themselves homeless as it is a way to get through the day and forget. Economic problems in society today stemming from the subprime mortgage crises have led to a high number of foreclosures. Unemployment rates have risen at a fast rate and people are finding themselves financially unstable. Combine the two some are finding they have no options left and nowhere to go. Tent cities are growing in numbers which we haven’t seen since the 1980’s. The majority of people living in the tent cities are people suffering because of the economic recession. The addict and mentally Ill can be found in other locations. Many women find themselves in dire straits due to domestic problem. They get married and have children early in life with no post secondary education and one day found themselves in dire...
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...Homelessness There is an urgency to save the homeless in this country, but it seems less altruistic than it in fact is. The urgency is related to an out of sight out of mind philosophy. People who live in residences paid for with their own income have many misconceptions about the homeless: For example their social nature, beliefs, cause of despair, and what to do to fix the broken system of feeding and sheltering those in need. People cannot solely want to cure homelessness because they do not want to see it, or panhandlers bother them, it has to come from an unselfish place. It is the responsibility of human service agencies to educate the public, and find ways to empower the homeless so they do not have to suffer. A reform in intervention is necessary; with so many homeless adults and teens having mental illnesses, a way to return them to a societal reality needs to be addressed. History of Homelessness in the United States Animals, including humans, have always sought to find shelter. The basic needs for survival include food, water, air, and shelter. These four necessities are mentioned in every philosopher’s or psychologist ideologies of what humans need for survival. Even Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has safety as one of the most basic needs. When someone loses or has never had a permanent residence they are considered homeless. Cars, friends’ couches, shelters, and abandoned warehouses are not considered homes. In the middle-ages the homeless were a way to make...
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...BSHS441: ADVOCACY AND MEDIATION Project-Annotated Outline and Bibliography Veterans and Homelessness: What programs are being put in place to help. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have brought renewed attention to the needs of veterans, including the needs of homeless veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reported that in FY2008 it assessed more than 1,500 veterans who served in the Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom theater of operations for participation in its Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program. Both male and female veterans have been over represented in the homeless population, and as the number of veterans increases due to these conflicts, there is concern that the number of homeless veterans could rise commensurately. The current economic downturn also has raised concerns that homelessness could increase among all groups, including veterans. Congress has created numerous programs that serve homeless veterans specifically, almost all of which are funded through the Veterans Health Administration. These programs provide health care and rehabilitation services for homeless veterans (the Health Care for Homeless Veterans and Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans programs), employment assistance (Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program and Compensated Work Therapy program), transitional housing (Grant and Per Diem program) as well as other supportive services. The VA also works with the Department of Housing and Urban Development...
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