Causes Of Homelessness In America

Homelessness in America is a growing issue since the eighties. There are various reasons for the growing matter and it is very clear why this is, yet there is not much of a change causing a decrease. Hopefully as America changes over time even if it is slowly, the amount of homeless people will drop down. I thank God everyday for giving me a roof over my head and blessing me with a job and wonderful family. The many causes of the homelessness issue has arisen from global conflict, unemployment increase, education tuition costs rising, and the increase of poverty. Homelessness is affecting all ages, ethnicities, and religions striking in both urban and rural communities. “Just last year, the national poverty rate rose to include 13.2% of the population. 1 in 7 people were at risk of suffering from hunger in the United States. In addition, 3.5 million people were forced to sleep in parks, under bridges, in shelters or cars.”

It is unfair causing Americans to make the decision to pay for rent and utilities rather than pay for food for themselves and their families. It I was wealthy and could afford to help all of the homeless people that I could, than I would do it in a heartbeat! These issues are only going to worsen if society doesn’t make it a priority to address them in a systemic way. Studies have shown that over 3.5 million people a year experience homelessness. “35% of the homeless population are families with children, which is the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. 23% are U.S. military veterans. 25% are children under the age of 18 years. 30% have experienced domestic violence. 20-25% suffer from mental illness.” (National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness ). In the 1980’s federal funds were withdrawn from low-income families and people with a mental illness. This was the cause of the boom of