Homelessness Paper Essay Example

numerous individuals and inaccurate data. Despite criticism from the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, sociologist Peter Rossi maintained his research results which showed a lower estimate of homelessness. He emphasized that sound social research may be controversial in the short run (Schaefer, 2004, p. 41).

In 2000, the Urban Institute discovered that millions of people, including children, face the risk of homelessness. Specifically, around 3.5 million individuals are affected by this issue. It is important to note that homeless people come from different backgrounds.

On nlchp.org's homepage, it is stated that within a year, over 3 million people experienced homelessness. Although the number may be surprising, it cannot be denied. The homeless community consists of various subcategories such as single men (41%), single women (14%), unaccompanied minors (5%), families with children (40%), single-parent families (67%), individuals with mental disabilities(23%), veterans(10%), African Americans(50%), Caucasians(35%), Hispanics(12%) Native Americans(2%) and other ethnic groups.

Homelessness can arise from challenging situations or personal decisions. A case in point is my 22-year-old family member who experienced homelessness during her adolescence because her parents divorced. Consequently, she and her mother had to vacate their residence when my cousin was merely 13 years old.

As reported by Machado (2005), the speaker's fear and loneliness were not eased by the presence of her mother, since she was not used to sleeping or living outside of her home. Due to economic hardships, the family lost their house and had to seek shelter in homeless facilities. This situation poses a conflict between accepting homelessness or attributing it to external factors.

My cousin overcame difficulties and now lives in a comfortable apartment with her mother, despite previously residing in a shelter. Although

her story elicits sympathy for the hardships she faced, she finds contentment in the small things that were once absent from her life (Machado, 2005). This highlights the fact that homelessness can affect anyone, but it is up to individuals to choose whether they will remain in dire circumstances or strive for better conditions. As a whole, I believe that children are the most susceptible population when it comes to homelessness.

Although homeless adults may possess the capability to manage their lives on the streets, children lack the essential aptitude for making decisions and surviving. Homeless individuals can be encountered in diverse locations including libraries, shelters, soup kitchens, public health clinics, park benches, bus stations and other places - this tally is not comprehensive. Typically, staying at a crisis shelter that offers all amenities incurs an expense of around $19 per night.

Smaller shelters with a capacity of 50 or less have higher costs per night, while those that can accommodate 51 or more beds charge slightly lower rates. Homeless individuals often rely on Federal Programs such as McKinney-Vento Education, Health Care for the Homeless, and Emergency Food & Shelter Grants to meet their basic needs. In 1984, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated that emergency shelters across the country could house up to 111,000 people on any given night (Caton, 1990).

Some shelters may limit admittance based on gender and family status, as communal sleeping and bathing arrangements can create challenges for staff monitoring a mixed-gender population. Alternatively, halfway houses provide psychiatric supervision and support services for individuals with mental illnesses that require medication to function in society. These residents work outside of the

home during the day and share household chores and meals.

Street panhandling is a frequent sight where people request money on the street corners. Homeless individuals depend on this assistance for their survival, as without it they would face starvation or even death. It is important to note that the homeless have rights, including access to food stamp programs. Unlike others, homeless citizens applying for food stamps do not need a permanent address and can purchase and prepare meals while staying in facilities without cooking amenities. Homelessness is caused by a variety of factors.

Homelessness is a topic that often ponders whether it arises from individual decision-making or societal inadequacies. The scarcity of economical housing frequently serves as the underlying cause of homelessness. The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty reports that earning around $15.21 per hour would be necessary for a full-time worker to afford a two-bedroom apartment as per their standards (NLCHP, 2004). Moreover, homeless people are generally deprived of the essential resources required to recover from their situations.

Homelessness in the US stems from various causes, such as inadequate shelter availability and challenges linked to substance abuse and mental illness. Those experiencing homelessness often contend with addiction or psychological issues that necessitate medical attention and rehabilitation. Moreover, factors like mistreatment, disregard, and separation also contribute to homelessness. As an instance, my cousin and her mother fell into homelessness following her parents' divorce.

According to me, homelessness is caused by societal factors as well as the personal choices of homeless individuals. Studies reveal that numerous programs and federal aids are accessible to support this population. Nevertheless, if an individual decides not to utilize these resources

and persists on a negative path, they are responsible for their own homelessness. Conversely, those who aspire for change can dedicate time and effort towards improving their situation. As someone who has grown accustomed to the comforts of living in a house, I find it difficult to imagine life without a permanent home - it has become an essential part of my life.

The state of one's finances has a significant impact on their outlook. Upon waking up, an average person may be preoccupied with work, family, sustenance and financial concerns. However, homeless individuals face the same worries but are forced to beg for money and search through dumpsters for food. Conversely, financially advantaged people do not have to resort to such actions as they have employment opportunities and the means to dine at restaurants.

Experiencing homelessness on a daily basis, sleeping under a bridge or even a cardboard box with the constant fear of death is a dreadful reality. Consequently, homeless individuals often resort to addiction, alcoholism, and sometimes even suffer from mental illness. To address this issue, there are various methods to eradicate or diminish homelessness. One such approach is to establish personal connections with those who are homeless.

The difficulty of providing aid to homeless individuals often stems from the fear they can elicit in us. However, it is important to address these fears by becoming acquainted with some homeless people before offering assistance. Volunteering at soup kitchens, shelters, or public health clinics provides an excellent opportunity to meet individuals who might benefit from your support and companionship. Furthermore, a useful strategy is to stop portraying the homeless as helpless "victims".

Viewing individuals as victims

can dehumanize them and create a perception of differences between ourselves and others, ultimately leading to the breakdown of human community. Homeless individuals often face uncontrollable circumstances, like unaffordable housing or factory closures, that leave them feeling helpless. However, by acknowledging their strengths and actively listening to their needs, we can work together to overcome these challenges and avoid the creation of divisive classes.

Although there are several ways to help the homeless, the approaches mentioned above are just a few examples. To explore all potential methods, a separate paper would be required. Rather than considering homelessness as a problem that needs to be solved, it is essential for everyone to contribute towards addressing it. During my research on this topic, I uncovered some fascinating facts about homelessness that I was unaware of before. For instance, most homeless individuals do not choose their situation; it is beyond their control.

Despite federal aid programs being available, financial difficulties and income setbacks can result in homelessness when it comes to housing expenses. Although the government provides support, there are still numerous homeless individuals who need assistance. The decision to continue struggling or strive towards improvement ultimately falls on each individual. If you want to lend a hand to those experiencing homelessness, consider volunteering at soup kitchens, shelters, or hospitals. It's crucial not to judge people based on their appearance but rather listen attentively and gain knowledge from what they have to share.

Works Cited 1.

Thomas Nelson Publishers in the USA released "52 Ways to Help Homeless People" by Temple and Gray (1991), which outlines various techniques for aiding homeless individuals. The book highlights the significance of recognizing their uniqueness instead

of relying on stereotypes.

Urban Institute Press in Washington DC published Martha Burt's America's Homeless in 1989, which offers remedies to put an end to homelessness by examining its various causes and identifying the most vulnerable populations.

There are several resources available to obtain information about homelessness in America. Oxford University Press published Carol L. Caton's Homeless in America (1990), which contains data from numerous surveys and studies conducted by various organizations, providing statistics on the amount of homeless individuals in the country. Furthermore, online sources available via the World Wide Web (WWW) also offer insight into this matter.

Details on federal and government programs that can assist homeless individuals can be found on NLCHP.org, as per Schaefer and Richard (2004).

The book Sociology A Brief Introduction, published by Mc-Graw Hill in New York, explores how individuals who are homeless are perceived from a psychological perspective. Additionally, on May 13, 2005, Alma Machado shared valuable insights into personal experiences with homelessness and strategies for overcoming it through an interview.

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Umi.com presents a discussion on the acceptance of homelessness among Americans, addressed alongside the issues related to homelessness and the groups most vulnerable to it. The topic is explored in a comprehensive manner.

Pascual, Cielito's article "Share-International" was published on September 13, 2005 and can be found at http://www.

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