“1 out of every 100 persons in Europe- or approximately 3 million people [are] homeless,” (Blair 21) states Cornelia Blair, the author of Homeless in America. Not only is this number extremely high, it only accounts to one country; Imagine the number across all 136 countries scattered across the Earth. And the homeless population is constantly on the rise, creating a fear for many who live dangerously close to losing everything. Homelessness is a predicament that affects all people, old and young, and can last from as little as a few days to as long as the rest of their lives. It is a serious problem caused by low income, domestic violence and abuse, and lack of Veteran care, but can be amended by child sponsorships, help from the government,
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.
Frankish et al. (2009) explains “there is no single pathway to homelessness, but rather homelessness is the result of a complex interaction of factors” (p. 24). Individuals who experience multiple factors with the potential to contribute to homelessness may be more vulnerable than others. Some of these vulnerable populations include indigenous people, victims of abuse, those suffering from mental illness, substance users, people with disabilities, and low-income earners or individuals already living in poverty (Gaetz, 2010). Since the impacts of homelessness typically worsen the longer one spends without adequate housing, it is important to consider which populations are most likely to get stuck in the cycle of homelessness.
In Family Homelessness: Where Are We Now?” Roy Grant, Senior Director, Research Children's Health Fund Medical Affairs and Gracy Delaney, Chief Medical Officer at Children's Health Fund among other
I think many homeless people are happy to be homeless. Some primary causes of homelessness are lack of affordable housing, unemployment, poverty, and low wages. Homeless adults seem more likely to become homeless because of both choice and circumstance. Children, however, are most likely to be homeless because of circumstances, such as their parents. Rose Mary and Rex choose to be homeless.
Group Project Health disparities are common contributors to homelessness. A homeless person’s risk of being ill or injured increases between two and six times that of persons who are housed (Wright, 1990). The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) (2011) estimates 26% of homeless adults living in shelters are living with serious mental illness and nearly another 46% live with severe mental illness and/or substance use disorders (“The 2010 Annual, 2011). Homeless populations are at increased risk of; injury, hypothermia, dermatological problems, violence, and infectious diseases such as; hepatitis, tuberculosis, and HIV. (Kushel, Evans, Perry, Robertson, & Moss, 2003).
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
Homelessness is very real in the United states with 3.5 million Americans left without a place to call home each year. There is a strong stigma against homeless individuals who are seen as chronic and episodic, but in reality, those seen living on the streets in downtown areas of cities are families with children. The vast majority have been thrust into homelessness through a life altering situation that was unexpected and unplanned for. One of the harsh realities is that homeless individuals and families tend to come from communities of concentrated poverty. Many factors lead to pushing people onto the streets and occasionally, these same factors can be the reason they stay homeless.
Homelessness has many negative effects on children. As a result, children experience emotional, social, developmental and behavioral issues(EOCCPT). The trauma these children experience leads to stress, which affects brain development in individuals. This can cause sleeplessness, as well as, irritability in the children. Furthermore, many homeless children experience both internal and external behaviors such as depression, anxiety, aggression, and delinquent behaviors(EOCCPT).
These factors include, but are not limited to, lack of affordable housing, economic insecurity, behavioral health, etc. Research has found that the main contributing factors for children living in homeless families are the lack of affordable housing, poverty, and domestic violence (Aratani, 2009). Similarly, mental illness, substance abuse, and lack of affordable housing are the top contributing factors of homelessness among unaccompanied youth (Aratani, 2009). In addition to analyzing the factors that can cause homelessness, the article explores the impact that homelessness can have on youth. For example, homelessness can often lead to food insecurity since food supplies can be scarce, which can then have a negative impact on the child/youth’s overall health.
The current government is creating a situation where more families along with their children are experiencing homelessness. An individual may be considered homeless when they lack permanent housing and have to stay in shelters, abandoned buildings or vehicles, on the streets, or in other forms of unstable situations. Many homeless people start out with jobs and stable residences, but then social and economic factors intervene, causing a rapid change in their living situation causing them to leave, and live on the street. Even with the population of homeless keeps increasing, the government does not aid nor benefit the homeless because they only worsen the homeless problem by having laws that go against homelessness, not helping mentally ill homeless population, and having the lack of subsidized housing.
(Koegel, Melamid, Burnam, 1995) For example, family homelessness has been increasing in the United states in Recent years. Now, more schools and communities are challenged to serve students whose lives are touched by the uncertainty and instability that homelessness brings. (Miller, 2015) People are forced to live destitute without daily necessities like healthy or sanitary food, housing or substantial clothing.
Homelessness due to individual factor or structural factor? Homelessness is the condition of people without a permanent dwelling. It is an uncontrollable issue around the world and influences different ages of people. Homelessness can be divided into two camps which is structural causes and individual causes .Structural
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.
Homelessness is a complex and multifaceted issue that affects millions of people around the world. With the increasingly devastating effects of climate change, the challenges facing homeless individuals are only being exacerbated. Climate change has been linked to a number of environmental disasters such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and drought, which can destroy homes, displace people, and create a lack of access to basic necessities such as food, water, and shelter. These environmental events can be particularly devastating for those who are already homeless or struggling to maintain housing stability. In this essay we will explore the ways in which climate change affects homelessness, and discuss potential mitigation strategies.
