Homelessness can be a detrimental experience as a result of being exposed to constant stress and unpredictable weather. It may lead to families and individuals having to find a temporary refuge in an unsafe environment, or obtain food from resources that can be harmful. Individuals and families caught in these predicaments frequently are ineptitude in areas of housing stability, managing money skills, coping skills, and support systems which would be significant in helping them modify hardships. As a result, a vast proportion of homeless families, individuals, and children have been exposed to a variety of traumatic occurrences such as childhood abuse, domestic violence, combat-related trauma, sexual assault, and the like.
Homeless in young Australians is a major issue within the homeless population. As statics shows that 18% of young Australians do not have money to survive on, 15% live jobless household, 5% deprived somewhere safe to live and survive on. This circumstance I young Australians occur young people in Australia occurs due to housing crisis, domestic violence, family violence and relationship/family breakdowns (brochure). The sources that I am using throughout this response include websites: Mission Australia, Youth homelessness and leaving home. Also brochure which is the main source for this response known as Homelessness and Young People.
For instance, a study published in 2009 discusses the importance of understanding the different aspects of this population in order to effectively help end youth homelessness. The study notes that are two typical forms of youth homelessness: children living in homeless families and unaccompanied youth. The first group, children living in homeless families, is essentially children who “live in families without a home” (Aratani, 2009, p. 4). Unaccompanied youth, then include those who are runaways, throwaways, and independent youth who have no contact with their family. Additionally, there is a multitude of factors that have been known to contribute to homelessness. 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. Also, it can lead to juvenile delinquency, troubles with school, and “a greater risk of experiencing mental health problems” (Aratani, 2009, p. 7). When determining what programs and other resources are best fit to help end youth homelessness, it is important to understand the causes and impact of homelessness among youths in the United
Finding somewhere to stay is difficult, especially if it is not in a shelter and with the added fear of getting in trouble. And real life situation would be a 15-year old girl about living in the New York subways, “The cops would arrest me anyhow. Because I 'm homeless. Because I 'm under age. Because they can charge with trespassing for being down here” (Bolnick 1). The emotion of shame is still felt by teens like, “Contacts with law-enforcement combined with the turbulent family histories can foster feelings of shame and humiliation among the homeless youth” (Hagan 2). Homeless teens also feel even more alone because they feel afraid and worried about getting in trouble for “trespassing.” Without any guidelines of how teens should get help, they continue to live on the streets. Although many are still homeless, laws and acts have been put into place to help more of the homeless teen population. Some examples are “The Runaway and Homeless Act (RHYA).... enacted in 1974 is the only federal law that focuses on unaccompanied, homeless youth” (NCSL.org) and “Hawaii propose the creation of a task force to coordinate and develop
Increase the number of the free clinics that will provide some health issue. Homeless population are at risk for chronic illness making them vulnerable to volience and substance abuse. This population has limited access to resources; difficulty in essentials of daily living: food, clothing, shelter. Often these individual has an underlining mental health issues or substance abuse problems. They do not have support outside their homeless community. Also, these people are judged quickly and written off as a loss cause, helpless or addicts.
Individuals who are homeless experience social exclusion from society, and this results in a lack of knowledge and understanding about this population. Chappell (2014), suggests that "... approximately 80,000 people are homeless on any given day in Canada" (p. 248). More than 47 percent of the homeless population are single males between the ages of 25 and 55; whereas 20 percent is comprised of youth between the ages of 16 and 24 (Chappell, 2014). Additionally, many of whom are of Aboriginal descent and live with mental illness, addiction, or disability (Chappell 2014). This demographic information illustrates that the number of young people under 24 experiencing homelessness in Toronto comprise only a fifth this population, while almost
Homelessness is a worldwide problem however, in Canada the population of homeless people is higher. Homelessness is the situation in which a person or family is unable to provide a stable, appropriate housing for themselves. The Homelessness in Canada has grown in size and complexity by 1997. This issue is often popular around urban centers such as Montreal, Laval, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, and Toronto. By the end of the 20th century it was discovered that men included enormous majority of homeless persons previously; now both men and children represent the fastest growing population of the homeless by the youth. Recently, homelessness has become a major social issue in Canada. Throughout the essay, the causes and significance of homelessness in Canada will be discussed as well as the history of the homelessness in Canada.
In Canada this is becoming more than an issue, it's becoming a crisis. Every night thousands of Canadians between the ages of 16-24 struggle to survive. In a year around 200,000 Canadians experience homelessness, and youth between the ages of 16-24 make up 20% of that huge number.They are there not by choice but by circumstance. Most have been forced out of homes or fled where there are abuse and neglect. Mental health issues are also a major factor in youth homelessness. The Covenant House, estimate about 35 percent of youth using their services are coping with some form of mental illness. Another major issue is that 62% of youth living on the street had dropped out of school, this limits many opportunities including
Imagine feeling lost and not knowing what to do or where to go. You spend each night in the harsh weather on a bench, which you call your shelter. Over the past years, there's been a rapid increase in the number of homeless people. Detailed plans to tackle homelessness in Canadian cities are having little to no impact on reducing the homelessness problem. Most of these homeless people didn't choose to be homeless but it's mostly due to mental health issues, drugs addictions and mainly due to lack of shelter. I believe it's important for all Canadian citizens to make sure that every homeless has a shelter and help when
In the class CINT 908 – Homelessness in Canadian Society, an activity called Life with Dignity where we calculated the average of what we think living a life with dignity is financially and it greatly intrigued me in wanting to do this essay. This topic of Life with Dignity is subjective and vague because it varies depending on each person and their culture, history and experiences. However, in this paper, I would be explaining my perspective of what I think it means to be living in a life of dignity based off of my experiences and understanding. Additionally, this paper will explore the systemic structures put in place that prevents many individuals and families from living the life of dignity and yet, making the same individuals and families
On any given night, approximately 30,000 Canadians struggle to find a safe place to spend the night. Research indicates that lack of a stable and supportive living environment is detrimental for one’s health and well-being. Consequently, homeless individuals have significantly worse physical and mental health than the general population, and are at higher risk of death. Compared to the general population, homeless individuals are more likely to resort to emergency care services and have longer hospital stays, bearing increased financial burdens on the healthcare system. Although this population requires high levels of medical attention, people who are homeless have substantial unmet health care needs within Canada’s traditional model of primary
Homelessness is the lack of a house or a shelter. A homeless child is an individual without permanent housing who may live on the streets, abandoned buildings, vehicles or an individual who doubled up (where individuals are unable to maintain their housing situation and are forced to stay with a series of friends or extended family member). Have you ever noticed the amount of people who have neither home, nor a family to sustain them? Perhaps, you think it is their own fault; you might think if they wanted, they would have it all. However, that thought is pointless because there are objective reasons why children lose home and can return to normal life. As shown in the public service announcement (PSA), ‘‘End youth homelessness in America,’’ produced by the Youth Advocate’s; this association’s presentation of pathos overshadows their less successful representations of ethos and logos concerning the topic of homelessness. This PSA clearly shows the statistics of homeless people who litter the streets and how they carry out their daily activities. They also try comparing children
Homeless youth can be defined by individuals who lack parental, foster and or instituional care. There is an estimate of 1.3 million homeless youth living unsupervised on the streets, in abandoned buildsings, with friends or with strangers. As a homeless youth they risk being abused in different ways. Some of the ways they get abused is psychical, sexual, substance abuse, and death. Every year there is approximatly 5,000 youth die that was unccompanied as a result of assult, illness, or suicide. (P1 Homeless youth)
Homelessness amongst the youth is a serious issue in America. Homeless youth, sometimes are referred to as unaccompanied youth. Unaccompanied youth are children and youth who are homeless and on their own that is not living with their families. This group includes runaway youth, youth whose parents encouraged them to leave or locked them out of their home, and independent youth from families where irreconcilable conflicts or loss of contact have made it impossible for them to return home ("Homeless Children and Youth," 2015). According to The U.S. Department of Education defines homeless youth as youth who “lack a fixed, regular, and nighttime residence” or an “individual who has a primary nighttime residence that is supervised
It has been estimated that 38% of the homeless population suffers from alcoholism and 26% abuse drugs (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2009). This compares to 15% and 8% in the general population (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2006). Alcohol and drugs are used in the homeless community in order to be able to cope with their situations as well as utilized to sleep, especially when the weather is cold. The priorities of these individuals are on survival, finding adequate food or shelter for the night.