Causes of Homelessness in the USA

1305 Words3 Pages

Homelessness has become a serious problem in today’s society. Despite the organizations that help multitudes of homeless people, homelessness is continually increasing. In recent years, America’s culture has been changing due to economic, political, and social issues. These issues have caused a lot of stress on America resulting in abject poverty in several cities. Poverty is not nationwide, but if dealt with lightly, the affects can be catastrophic. Homelessness is increasing more than ever, and research proves that changing culture contributes to rising amount of homelessness. Homelessness is increasing more every year. In fact, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, over 640,000 people experience homelessness every night. (Hunger and Homelessness in North America) By definition, the homeless are groups of people that do not have a home. They can be people who are mentally ill, unemployed, veterans, or even children born into unfortunate families. Since they have nowhere to go, the homeless usually live inside abandoned buildings, in the streets, or in makeshift homes, such as a cardboard box or homemade tent. Although some work to find a decent home, many still suffer from depression or are psychically disabled and cannot work. (Overview of Homelessness in America) These people do not choose to be homeless, instead they become homeless due to a series of unfortunate events; namely losing their source of income or becoming homeless by birth. One instance of this occurred in the life of Hazel Washington. Hazel was fleeing an abusive relationship when she moved in with her relative and his girlfriend, but she was not told about their impending eviction. Because of this, her roommates took everything she owned an... ... middle of paper ... ...ss” City Now Requires Permits and Large Fees to Feed the Homeless. ThinkProgress RSS. Center for America Pogress Action Fund, 13 Feb. 2013. Web 26 Feb. 2014. http://thinkprogress.org/economy/20111/02/13/3288211/columbia-feeding-homeless-ban/. • Lefler, Dion. Count of Homeless Wichitans Reveals No ‘typical’ Homeless Story. Wichita Eagle. The Wichita Eagle, 20 Jan. 2014. Web. 26 Feb. 2014. http://www.kansas.com/2014/01/30/3258971/count-of-wichitans-without-homes-html. • Overview of Homelessness in America. Homelessness in America. National Student Campaign Against Hunger & Homelessness, n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2014. http://www.studentsagainsthunger.org/page/hhp/overview-homelessness-america. • Ellis, Blake. Counting the Homeless in America’s Poorest City. CNNMoney. Cable News Network, 12 Feb. 2014. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. http://money.cnn.com/2014/02/12/pf/homeless-count/.

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