Solutions To Homelessness In America

Specific purpose: To persuade my audience to be more involved in homelessness in Memphis TN.

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.

There are more than 500,000 homeless people in America (Johnson). There are many reasons and causes for people to end up living this way, but the biggest cause is tragic life events, for like loss of loved ones, job loss, domestic violence, divorce, and family disputes. Other reasons for homelessness are depression, untreated mental illness, PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), and physical disabilities ("Top Causes of Homelessness in America."). Many people see homelessness as a bad thing and an issue, but it does serve a purpose in society.

The United States policy regarding the homeless has ebbed and flowed as a social issue. There is a myriad of reasons for homelessness economic, natural

In the United States homelessness has been a substantial problem for decades. The reason for homelessness is greatly debated especially

Homelessness is one the most ignored problems in the United States with citizen and politician. Homeless people are walked by and ignored. Nobody ever thinks that they will be homeless. Due to the economy, people live paycheck to paycheck making house payments very difficult. Most people will want to believe most homeless people are drug addicts or alcoholics, but most people will be surprise to know that it is no all true. Veterans with PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder) have a high risk of becoming homeless. Homelessness is cause by drug and alcohol dependencies, the economy and veterans who suffers from PTSD or other forms of mental illness.

While circumstances can vary, an individual’s first choice is rarely to choose homelessness due to the inability to afford housing or other unforeseen circumstances. The support of friends, family, and community programs/shelters are first suggestions when a person becomes displaced. When these suggestions become inadequate, living on the streets is the next favorable/affordable option. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, on a night in January of 2015, there were 564,708 people homeless in the United States (para 3). On a larger scale, more than one million people are homeless in America and of that population, 50 percent are chronically addicted to alcohol, drugs, or both (Substance abuse mental health, 2011 para 6). Research has brought more attention to risk factors that contribute to homelessness such as the epidemic of substance abuse.

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

[Homelessness is serious problem that America has come to face. Millions of people including families ,children, elder, babies , veterans live day after day without water ,food or a roof over their heads. The number of homeless, families with children and elder has considerably over the past decade or so. They are together the fast, growing portion of the homeless population. There are together almost 40% of all people who are homeless. Rural area contain the largest part of homeless families, children and single mother. Homelessness is a matter that has many different view and different opinions. It is a big matter that gets little attention and back in order to spread its truth and its needs to public eye.

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. An effective way to address the problem of homelessness in America is to continue creating affordable housing, maintaining assistance programs, and continue creating workforce

A lack of affordable housing and the limited scale of housing assistance programs have contributed to the current housing crisis and to homelessness. The National Low-Income Housing Coalition estimates that the 2017 housing wage is $21.21 per hour, exceeding the $16.38 hourly wage earned by the average renter and greatly exceeding wages earned by low income renter households (NationalHomeless.Org). Today, 11 million extremely low-income households pay at least half of their income toward housing, putting them at risk of housing instability and homelessness. The solution to housing the homeless is straightforward. By connecting the people experiencing homelessness to housing and the services needed, so that they may have a platform from which they can address other issues that may have contributed to their homelessness, such as employment, health, and drug abuse. There are two housing models that have been proven to effectively end homelessness. Permanent supportive housing, and rapid re-housing. Permanent supportive housing, is long-term rental assistance and supportive services. This type is targeted towards individuals and families with physical and mental health issues or substance abuse that have experienced long-term or repeated homelessness. Rapid re-housing provides short-term rental assistance and services. The goals are to help people obtain housing quickly, increase self-sufficiency and stay housed (EndingHomelessness.org). Housing is key to ending homelessness, there is simply not enough affordable housing and without this housing many homeless are likely to continue to cycle in and out of

Another stereotype that has established itself in society’s mindset is that all homeless people are criminals. In the online Huffington Post article, “10 Facts About Homelessness,” written by Bill Quigley, the author asserts that “Jerome Murdough, a homeless former Marine, was arrested for trespass in New York because he was found sleeping in a public housing stairwell.” In all reality, if any homeless individual commits a crime, they are not dangerous crimes rather they are status crimes. Status crimes include trespassing, loitering, or sleeping on public property. Nonetheless, if a criminal had committed serious crimes such as murder or involvement in drug, they would be behind bars, not lurking on the streets. In her online article called

However, only an intensive attempt to guarantee jobs that manage a living wage, sufficient support for the people who are not capable of working, inexpensive housing, as well as access to healthcare will convey an end to homelessness. Poverty and homelessness are inextricably connected. Poor individuals are regularly not capable of paying for housing, childcare, food, healthcare, and education. Difficult alternatives have to be made at the time inadequate resources cover up merely a number of these necessities. On the other hand, lack of reasonable housing and the inadequate scale of housing aid programs contribute to the present housing crisis as well as to homelessness (De & Anderson,

Homelessness is a significant complex societal problem. Many people think homelessness is an individual problem, but I think society has a large factor on why people become homeless. Individuals who are homeless are not lazy like most of society thinks. These people are struggling with societal problems such as living costs and mostly cannot support themselves financially. In my eyes, Homelessness is a factor of societal forces such as high cost of housing and living and also society having failed systems to support people who are stuck in these sorts of situations. Because of these issues, society should develop better strategies to help these people in need to eliminate the growing poverty level through the world. These strategies could include

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). The vulnerable population of homeless children