The Effects of Homelessness on Society

Homelessness

Ever noticed the people outside, asking you for money on the train or in the streets? Most have a funny smell, or are barely dressed when it is freezing outside? Those people are more than likely homeless. Being homeless is the state of a person living on the streets, if they have no home. Homelessness occurs because many people cannot afford housing, do not have a job, receive low income, are mentally ill or have a drug addiction (Coalition for the Homeless). Homelessness affects society in a variety of ways making it a social issue. It causes economic downturn, increases poverty, and also causes family dysfunction.

Since January of 2002 the homelessness rate has increased 69 percent. There are more than 52,400 homeless individuals that sleep in a homeless shelter in New York City, and thousands that are sleeping on the street and in trains. More than 12,500 families including 22,100 children in New York City sleep in a homeless shelter on a daily basis (Coalition).

These families and individuals are now considered part of the percentage of those who are labeled poverty stricken. Poverty is the state of being extremely poor. Although most families are not exclusively poor, they are labeled as part of poverty because they cannot properly provide for their family and themselves.

Poor people are frequently unable to pay for housing, food, childcare, health care, and education (The National Coalition for the Homeless,2009). Poor people are a statistic of poverty because unemployment increases and most of them get paid low wages that can barely help them get by. Difficult choices must be made when limited resources cover only some of these necessities (National Coalition).

Families with children are the fastest growi...

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... the root causes-low wages and lack of affordable housing-and by improving support services like TANF, housing vouchers, and health care.” The National Coalition for the Homelessness supports Students against Hunger theory on how to end homelessness. The National Coalition for the Homeless states “effort to ensure jobs pay a living wage, adequate support for those who cannot work, affordable housing, and access to health care will bring an end to homelessness.”

Works Cited

"Basic Facts about Homelessness: New York City." Coalition for the Homeless. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2013.

"Overview of Homelessness in America." Homelessness in America. The National Student Campaign against Hunger and Homelessness, n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2013.

"Why Are People Homeless?" National Coalition for the Homeless. The National Coalition for the Homeless, July 2009. Web. 04 Dec. 2013.