Homelessness Analysis

Homelessness is an important social issue in the world of social work. The article I found not only has some clear and cohesive statistical numbers, but it also validates its research and findings about homelessness and facing the facts. We as a culture are so wrapped up in our own lives that the homeless population is vastly overlooked and not seen as a problem with a potential solution. We as social workers need to learn about this population, about who the homeless actually are and about the specific problems they are faced with. Until we get to know them not as just a number, but as an individual, can we truly conquer the problem of homelessness.

Media reports and news articles are not specific when it comes to the issue of homelessness.

How can society understand or help this population if there is no clear information on who these individuals are, what the causes are of homelessness and what we can do specifically to help remedy this problem. There are some difficulties when it comes to studying a population that is passing and hard to interview or engage with a homeless individual. There is information and literature provided in this article to help develop policies and programs that are realistic at resolving this social issue.
Denial is a big factor when looking at the homelessness population. When the mental illness or substance abuse problems of a homeless individual are examined, advocates fear that society might not be sympathetic to those issues. Some may blame the homeless individuals as using their personal problems as an excuse for their homelessness and rather focus on the political and economic factors.
Advocates and policymakers and social planners are also fearful on focusing on certain problems that society views as hopeless or with no solution and therefore not important to fix or focus on.
The article also points out that the focus should be on homeless individuals who are able to immediately benefit from education, job training and transitional or low-income housing. The underlying problems of homelessness is not strictly a lack of opportunity or hopelessness. There are many advocates and policy makers that do not focus on or are unaware of the ability of a homeless person who has a substance abuse problem to recover and become sober, or that those who are mentally ill can indeed benefit from treatment, medication and rehabilitation. They may accept these problems and view them with no solutions. Among the middle class population, research has shown that they have access to residential and in-hospital treatment programs for substance abuse, use programs to pay for them, while the homeless have little to no help in confronting the exact same issues and problems. Access to treatment is based on class. There is treatment and support when alcoholism, substance abuse, and mental health concerns affect our own loved ones, but we overlook the homeless, who are stricken with the same problems, and are unwilling to acknowledge how these problems in their lives. We as a culture are in denial, and it is very selective.
It was very important for this article to define what homelessness is and separate the term from being poor.

Homelessness is more than not having money or a home, it is a condition of detachment from our society which includes, family, friends and the community. To be homeless is not only losing a stable place to live, it is also losing oneself. Homelessness is a disconnection from support systems that usually provide help in a time of need or crisis. Homelessness is a sense of being alone and without any structure. The most universal characteristic of homelessness is disconnection from others and institutions and I found this one piece of information vital to understanding the difference between homelessness and being poor. When one is poor, or in a low income household, they may still be family support. The crucial element that the homeless is lacking is social support. It is not just about the absence of housing, it is also the absence of

relationships.
The homeless population, both in shelters and on the streets deserve better care. Society needs to view their problems as equally important to those of their own. Because a homeless individual should not be judged more harshly because they simply do not have a home and struggling with personal problems. The problem of homelessness is not just a lack of housing and is not the primary solution to the problem of homelessness. It is not just about the lack of affordable housing that will get them off the street and solve their problems. If the homeless individual’s problems are not specifically addressed, they will continue to be unable to maintain their mental capacities and ultimately permanent housing. Simply providing housing is not the only solution. They will fall into chromic homelessness if they do not address their problems of alcoholism, drug addiction, mental illness or self-care. Particularly for those who are disabled by addictions, mental illness or both, they will more likely fall into the category of chronic homelessness, or even jail.
As a society, we need to acknowledge substance abuse and mental illness as important characteristics of the homeless or else we fail them as a population and as human beings.

Denial gives the historic perception that people with these types of problems are those that are poor or underserving of help and that the help provided is adequate and they are being treated accordingly. Through inadequate media reports that provide little to no specific information on the homeless count, it blurs the realities between the homeless and the poor which ultimately causes further suffering by the homeless population with no relief in the future. The news media is displayed on the televisions of most family households and are exposed to no real information or coverage of who these people really are and what can be done to alleviate the

problem.
The article points out that homeless people do have a chance to change their lives and get off the streets for good, and I wholeheartedly agree. The reason it is so difficult to help them is that society is unwilling to face the facts and admit that their personal characteristics or attributes are contributing factors to their homelessness.