Homelessness has become a major occurrence around the world. Due to the many impacts of life people in today’s world have become subject to living on the streets. Many people are destitute and are unable to pay bills and feed addictions which leads to them picking their addictions and losing their homes. Many jobs were lost in the recession and some have never recovered from that loss. Abusive relationships appear more often and leave the victim homeless in order to become safe. Often people are also affected by alcoholism and poverty makes them choose their own priorities. Poverty is shown to be the root problem and cause of homelessness most likely leading to these issues.
Homelessness is a common occurrence in many areas. Each person has
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In an article by the Washington Spectator, ideas are shown that the lack of jobs, affordable housing and services for the mentally ill have left society’s poorest members with no place to go (Washington Spectator).The homeless have been ignored by the growing number of Americans who are beneficiaries of the booming economy and who tend to view drifters on the street with disgust or indifference. Homelessness today has now become worse than the Depression. All factors lead to 730,000 people in the U.S. that have no job and a lack of income to support themselves or their families. With many looking for new opportunities who are we as people to prevent them and scrutinize them as humans while they are looking to better themselves.
An opposing point of view states that homeless advocates have exaggerated the severity of homelessness. C.J. Carnacchio writes that the group of homeless people who are victims of forces out of their control continue to be very small. Liberals and advocates have succeeded in manufacturing this so called crisis not only by exaggerating numbers but also by distorting the truth about the roots of homelessness (Carnacchio). The media portrays the homeless as an ordinary American in hard times. Many don’t account for the homeless criminals whom roam the
Homelessness in the United States has been an important subject that the government needs to turn its attention to. There has been announced in the news that the number of the homeless people in many major cities in the United States has been increasing enormously. According to United States Interagency Council on Homelessness reported that there was an estimation of 83,170 individuals have experienced chronic homelessness on the streets of the United States’ streets and shelters on only a single night of January 2015, which is a small decrease of only 1% from the previous year (People Experiencing Chronic Homelessness, n.d.). The United States must consider this subject that most of the people underestimate it and not pay attention
This great nation of awesome power and abundant resources is losing the battle against homelessness. The casualties can be seen on the street corners of every city in American holding an ?I will work for food? sign. Homeless shelters and rescue missions are at full capacity. There is no room at the inn for the nation?s indigent. Anyone who has studied this issue understands that homelessness is a complex problem. Communities continue to struggle with this socio-economic problem while attempting to understand its causes and implement solutions. The public and private sectors of this country are making a difference in the lives of the homeless by addressing the issues of housing, poverty and education.
Homelessness is a problem that happens in many different countries around the world. Definitions of homelessness are defined in different meanings by different people. However, the Stewart B. McKinney Act defines a homeless person as “ one who lacks a fixed permanent nighttime residence or whose nighttime residence is a temporary shelter, welfare hotel, or any public or private place not designed as sleeping accommodations for human beings” (McNamara 1025). It is impossible to find out exactly the number of homeless; however, the researchers can do a study to estimate that number. Based on different statistics from different researchers, the homeless population in America has been increasing as “an alarming rate” (Markos and Lima). Therefore, even though America is one of the most powerful countries in the world, homelessness, which has many common causes, has always been a big problem in society.
One of life’s truly rarest treasures is human unselfish charity. The greatest thing in the world is mutual understanding and the endless feeling of appreciation of having a Home. A place that every one of us has to have: where a happy, loving family could be born, where love, support and acceptance, no matter what, always are, and where kindness, warmness, understanding are sincere and never go away. I think those of us who have homes have to count ourselves exceedingly fortunate, because we are blessed. Home--the roof and the walls--protects us from outside pressure, and gives strength and desire to live, which is the important moral base of a psychologically healthy human being. But what about those who don’t have it? Those who we call Homeless? Unfortunately, there is always a dark cloud in a blue sky, and in “Are the Homeless Crazy?” Jonathan Kozol questions the primary cause of homelessness in the United States. Are the homeless people really “paranoids of the street” and “among the most difficult to help?”
...is to understand the factors that lead people into homelessness, that keep them homeless, and how they can recover from homelessness. Advocates for the homeless have proposed policies range from taking preventative measures, such as making housing and health care affordable, to policies that deal with individuals that are already homeless, such as rapid rehousing and redefining what it means to be homeless. Although many of the experts disagree on how the homeless epidemic should be handled, many acknowledge that the federal government plays an inexpendable role in helping the homeless. Homelessness is, obviously, a complex issue, but like all difficult issues it must be undertaken. It has become clear that homelessness is not something that will eradicate itself given time, homelessness will continue to grow and evolve unless an outside force stops it in its tracks.
As technology advances and more countries join the developed world, we here in America have a forgotten population. Here in America, a land of great wealth and opportunity, we have a neglected homeless population. In a land so rich it is hard to believe that over half-a-million people are left homeless, leaving hundreds of thousands on the street. (National Alliance) New York City has been upsetting the national trend of a decreasing homeless population. (Facts about Homelessness) Many people find it easier to look the other way rather than take on such a monumental problem. Disregarding this problem will not make it go away, and will even exacerbate the problem. Homelessness did not happen overnight, nor will it go away overnight, but change is possible. The systemic reasons for homelessness have changed over time, creating the need for community groups and governments to tackle homelessness in different ways. Until we have a concrete plan for solving homelessness the problem will persist.
“Homeless is more than being without a home. It is tied into education needs, food, security; health issues both mental and physical, employment issues, etc. Don’t forget the whole picture.” (“Boxed In” 2005 pg. 108)
Homelessness has become a serious problem in today’s society. Despite the organizations that help multitudes of homeless people, homelessness is continually increasing. In recent years, America’s culture has been changing due to economic, political, and social issues. These issues have caused a lot of stress on America resulting in abject poverty in several cities. Poverty is not nationwide, but if dealt with lightly, the affects can be catastrophic. Homelessness is increasing more than ever, and research proves that changing culture contributes to rising amount of homelessness.
?Over the past year, over two million men, women, and children were homeless? in America. (NLCHP) Homeless people face an intense struggle just to stay alive despite the fact that society turns its head from the problem. The government makes laws that discriminate against homeless people, which make it, illegal for them to survive. The mistreatment of homeless people is an issue that is often ignored in our community. When you see a homeless person on the streets how do you react? Do you turn your head and ignore them? Do you become angry that they are living on the streets? Do you feel frightened and avoid the situation all together? Or do you see these people as human beings and treat them in that way? Homeless people are ?subjected to alienation and discrimination by mainstream society?. (NLCHP) Most alienation and discrimination comes from the lack of education about homeless people. There are numerous untrue myths about homeless people. Many people believe that homeless people ?commit more violent crimes than housed people.? (NLCHP) The reality is that homeless people actually commit less violent crimes than people with homes do. Dr. Pamela Fischer, of John Hopkins University, studied arrest records in Baltimore and discovered that even though homeless people were more likely to commit non-violent and non-destructive crimes, they were less likely to commit violent crimes against people. (NLCHP) The crimes that these people are committing are necessary to keep them alive. These crimes include sleeping, eating, and panhandling. Making it illegal to perform necessary daily activities in public when homeless people have no where else to go makes it impossible for homeless people to avoid violating the law. (NLCHP) Another myth about homeless people is that they do not work and that they get their money from public assistance programs. A study done in Chicago discovered that ?39% of homeless people interviewed had worked for some time during the previous month?. (NLCHP) Many of the people who do not work are actively trying to find jobs, but are discriminated against by the work force. In an interview done at the River Street Homeless Shelter I found many people who have experienced this discrimination. ?People can?t get a job without an address. When they use the shelter?s address they get turned down.? (Mike) Speaking...
Is homelessness really as big of a problem as what your hear about? The National Student Campaign Against Hunger & Homelessness (NSCAHH) would explain in Homelessness Is a Widespread Problem how it has become a widespread problem in the United States of America. They believe it’s not only a huge issue, but the rate of homelessness is rapidly growing, according to the 2004 Survey of Hunger and Homelessness. Mike Rosen, a radio talk show host, argues in The Problem of Homelessness is Exaggerated that the topic of homelessness is over exaggerated than what it really is. He examined the same survey and presented the idea that they had several miscalculations and just made it seem like a big problem in
Furthermore, Homelessness is also a strong outcome of poverty, in comparison to people that are in poverty, but live in a home. Homeless children do not have access to adequate nutrition and medical care therefore causing even more health problems. Homeless women “experience higher rates of low‐birth‐weight babies, miscarriages, and infant mortality”(Cliffnotes,2015). Homelessness makes it extremely difficult to obtain a job due to the many under developments; mental and social that are obtained due to this life making poverty a never ending cycle, extremely difficult to
Homelessness is becoming a serious global problem. Cities around the world are trying anything they can think of to fix this epidemic, but the first step is to understand the extent of the problem here at home. The United States population is about three million and approximately 650,000 people are homeless on any given night (“General Homelessness Facts”). Many of these Americans suffer from mental illness and try to provide for their families as well. When people become informed about the problem of homelessness they try to seek out solutions. However, some plans are not helping homeless citizens get back on their feet. Americans have a strong can do attitude and we believe anyone can pull themselves up by their bootstraps, but that is not
Homelessness is not new to our nation, and it has greatly increased over the past ten years. (Baum, 1-4) For growing numbers of people, work provides little, if any, protection against homelessness. Low national un-employment levels do not mean that all working people are well-off. (Baum, 21-24)
Homelessness is a crucial factor as to why Americans don’t achieve the ideal “American Dream”. Homelessness is a social issue that affects a widespread group of people, ranging from single individuals to families each year. Many of those who are currently homeless, don’t choose to be homeless, but are forced into living on the streets for reasons such as a financial crisis, divorce, unemployment, mental illness, drug or alcohol abuse, or even a natural disaster that triggers the rising problem of how these individuals will survive. Annually, 3.5 Americans experience an episode of homelessness. That is 75,000 people experiencing homeless each night that others of more comfortable means will never have to experience. (Thompson). Homelessness
Homelessness is a problem virtually every society suffers from. There are many things that cause people to become homeless, such as unemployment, relationship problems, and being evicted from ones domicile either by a landlord, friend or even a family member. However, with every cause there must be an effect. Some of the effects of one becoming homeless, besides the obvious change of lifestyle, are various health problems which often times may lead to death.