What is the definition of homelessness and is it a pandemic within the state of Alaska? The word homelessness is defined as a person who lacks a permanent place of residence. However, what it means to be homeless is far more complicated than a simple definition. The term homelessness is split into two categories, which are sheltered, and unsheltered with four sub categories. Those sub categories are youth, veterans, chronically homeless, and families. The first category, sheltered, means a building serving as a temporary refuge or residence for homeless persons. This normally consists of a cot and perhaps a blanket. Unsheltered refers to a homeless person on the street, that may take refuge in a car, abandoned building, or tent. This paper …show more content…
The youth sub category also has elements of sheltered and unsheltered homelessness, with sheltered being the more common in the majority of the states. The common reasons that cause youth to be homeless are split in to five categories, family dysfunction, transition or ageing out of foster care, physical or sexual abuse, mental issues, and economic complications. As a result of homelessness, youth face an array of problems, common ones are Sexually transmitted diseases, mental or physical illness, abuse of a mental, physical, or sexual nature, starvation, and exposure. “It is estimated that 5000 youth die every year as a result of assault, illness, or suicide” (Human-Services, Homeless and Runaway Youth 2013). Because the majority of homeless youth are not homeless by choice and are more often fleeing form an undesirable situation. The United States government has instituted a number of laws to help homeless youths continue their education despite the stigma that accompanies homelessness. Alaska has instituted supplemental policies to help relieve the epidemic of homelessness. Youth shelters in Alaska include, but are not limited to The Door in Fairbanks, Covenant House Anchorage, and Saxton Wasilla. These shelters help but do not meet the needs of the Alaskan population; additionally, there are a number of non-profits set up throughout Alaska that cater to the need of these youths ways other than sheltering them. Before Alaskan Youth homelessness is explored, homelessness on a national scale must first be
Homeless youth are always dealing with poor nutrition, victimization, substance use, and abuse. Unfortunately the services provided are very limited and cannot help a huge chunk of the homeless youth. Homeless youth experience more substance abuse and drug addiction than non-homeless youth, this causes them to be mentally unstable and unable to be a functioning member of society. There are many temporary services provided such as shelters, drop-ins, meal programs, literacy improvements, and counselling programs; although these are available and there to help the youth, they are all flawed in their own ways. What the government does not take into consideration is the long term solutions to put youth in poverty to an end.
Montgomery, A. E., Szymkowiak, D., Marcus, J., Howard, P., & Culhane, D. P. (2016). Homelessness, unsheltered status, and risk factors for mortality: findings from the 100 000 homes campaign. Public Health Reports, 131(6), 765-772. Omerov, P., Craftman, Å. G., Mattsson, E., & Klarare, A. (2020). Homeless persons' experiences of health‐and social care: A systematic integrative review.
The most significant disadvantage of homelessness is the damage it does, both physically and psychologically, to a person's health. Those forced to live on the streets or in temporary housing are at a greater risk of being injured by other people or being ill with a contagious disease themselves, both of which can spread to others. Homeless people may have mental health problems due to the stress and trauma of not having a place to call home (Southworth & Brallier,2023). Children, particularly younger children, are especially vulnerable to the effects that can arise due to their family's lack of stable housing. Homeless children usually face difficulties attending school, obtaining the essentials, and dealing with much more anxiety and unpredictability than other children.
The issue of homelessness exists not only in lesser developed countries, but in Canada as well, affecting a wide variety of individuals across the country in many ways. The consequences of inadequate housing are becoming even more apparent as rates of homelessness rise each year, with an estimated 160,000 Canadians facing homelessness annually (Fitzpatrick-Lewis et al., 2011). Fitzpatrick-Lewis et al. (2011) stated that “there is no common definition for homelessness, and it remains a challenge to enumerate this population” (p.2). However, Echenberg (2020) explains that homelessness is often defined using two specific aspects; the recurrence and length of time spent without housing and the specific housing situation itself.
America’s homeless population is increasing every year. According to the article “Foster Care and Homelessness,” “50% of America's homeless population spent time in foster care.” As children reach their teen years it is less likely that they will be adopted. This creates the possibility of aging out of the system. When a child ages out of the system they have to create a life for themselves.
Homeless, Not Hopeless: A Look into the Effects of Societal Classification and Location The prevalence of homelessness in America has become so mainstream that it is no longer something surprising to see. How tragic is it that when a child witnesses a person sleeping on the ground outside, there is no reaction because this is normal for them? Many studies report that the majority of homeless populations are made up of the mentally ill. These people are the ones who are unfortunate enough to live in an area which underserves the low-income population.
Abuse and neglect are one of the top three leading causes of youth homelessness. “Studies show 70 percent of homeless youth have suffered some form of physical, sexual or emotional abuse” and “45.7 percent of street
The article “The State of Homelessness in America” provides
Youth Homelessness in America Every year, millions of people are experiencing some form of homelessness in the United States alone. Of those people who are experiencing homelessness, a large proportion of them is under the age of 24. Data has found that there are over 550,000 youth have experienced homelessness for more than a week over the course of a year (“Youth and Young Adults,” 2018). In many cases, youth homelessness can be prevented, but the lack of resources and services available to youth is limited. As a result, the issue continues to grow and affect more and more youth have to experience homelessness.
Homelessness is a complex social issue with a variety of economic and social factors such as poverty, lack of affordable housing, physical and mental health, addictions, and community/family breakdowns. Homelessness has increased its number by at least a 1% since last year, reached nearly 554,000 people who are living in harsh conditions. The government and its policies/bans only harm the homeless instead of being beneficial to them. With the “City wide bans on camping in public have increased [along with the]… city wide bans on sleeping in public…, sitting or lying down in particular places… [and,] bands on sleeping in vehicles have [all] increased”(Wiltz).
Homeless describes an individual who resides on the street or in a shelter for 24 hours: an individual who is live with a family or friend. However, “a person is considered homeless who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate
In the United States homelessness has been a substantial problem for decades. The reason for homelessness is greatly debated especially
The issue of homelessness in America has been evident since the early 1600’s. Across the country men, women and children spend their nights on the streets not knowing when or if they will ever find a permanent home. States and federal officials or city councils have tried to alleviate or at least reduce the number of homeless over the last several decades at a city, state or national level but it continues to be an ongoing problem. There is a multitude of factors that account for the growing homeless population that affects each state in the country differently. Though there are many contributing factors that contribute to the amount of people living on the street at any given night in the U.S.
But, this government does not have duty to house every homeless person, unless they are under the priority needs categories. All People with insecure accommodation, at risk of violence, living in temporary accommodation, in social damaged housing with potential of damaging peoples’ wellbeing and those unable to afford rent payments. Therefore these different circumstances affecting homelessness, automatically demonstrate several categories of homeless people observed in different ways. Homelessness does not discriminate, but it affects various groups of people despite of their age, gender, culture or immigration status just to name a few (Shelter, 2007, Housing, Act,
A homeless person is someone who is without a conventional home and lacks the economic and social supports that a home normally affords. She/he is often cut off from the support of relatives and friends, she/he has few independent resources and often has no immediate means, and, in some cases, little prospect of social support 1. Primary homelessness: people without conventional accommodation living on the streets or in improvised dwellings (e.g. Deserted buildings, cars, under bridges). 2. Secondary homelessness: people moving between various forms of temporary shelter including friends, relatives, emergency accommodation, refuges, hostels and boarding houses.