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Problems of homelessness and poverty in the United States
Problems of homelessness and poverty in the United States
Effects of poverty in the us
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Homelessness in America is almost an epidemic. There are millions of people in the United States alone who suffer from homelessness, meaning they are without, a roof over their head at night, and without food. Many people just overlook it, and don’t realize how big of an issue this really is. Being homeless just doesn’t happen in a specific part of the United States, it happens everywhere across the country, even in the places you would never expect. It happens in the wealthiest of places, and the poorest of places, one place being Newark, Ohio, and the local communities surround it. With it being so close to where we live, there is so much we could be doing to help those who are suffering from it, but instead we drive right by them not even …show more content…
Around Newark, Ohio, there are many organizations that are willing to help those who are homeless, or are on the verge of becoming homeless. There are multiple places where those who are homeless can go and stay and have nice warm shelter during the night, or until they can get back up and on their feet. Those places including the local Salvation Army who puts on soup kitchens for those who don’t have the money to provide dinner for their own being or for their family, and kids, as well as they have shelter if needed for those who don’t have anywhere to stay. Habitat for Humanity, is another wonderful organization that can provide housing for those who aren’t able to afford any at a expensive rate, but can afford something at a lower rate, but they can also help the …show more content…
We don’t necessarily have to donate money, but we can donate our time, and efforts to help those, and it will mean just as much. With volunteering at local organizations such as Salvation Army, the local women’s battered shelter, and the Look-Up Center. Salvation Army partners up with a organization called “Project Night Night” which helps the homeless children, and provides them with a blanket, stuffed animal and a book. “25,000 care packages the non-profit doles out each year aims to ease the psychological trauma homeless children suffer, while also promoting reading, and family bonding” (Goldburg par
Most individuals would suggest creating a homeless shelter, but that solution is unrealistic due to budgets, and the lack of funds from the community and Calvary Chapel. The cost of these solutions is reasonable and within reach. The solution will provide jobs and offer a sense of self-esteem most homeless have lost. The homeless as well as the community will thrive from this program and lives will be changed. Individuals, who were stuck on the street cold and alone, will be given the opportunity to go out and make a change in their lives. Although, many might suggest that many homeless are ex drug addicts or alcoholics, there are many who do not have the financial stability to survive and live a life of normality but will do what it takes to change their situation. Hess suggests that, “What many people need is an opportunity to get back on their feet and develop their own income” (Feuer, 2012, para.15). My solution offers this opportunity and by implementing it, homeless will have the power to change their
The National Coalition for the Homeless (2006) is the most effective strategy as it seeks to address the problem of homelessness through various means, including volunteer work, advocacy efforts, and contributions. Firstly, the strategy requires people to volunteer their time to work directly with the victims of homelessness in the city to help them meet their immediate needs. People can volunteer their time to work with children in various programs, share hobbies, and help build houses and shelters among others (Miller, Hess, & Orthmann, 2011). This is extremely important and can help victims of homelessness to acquire some of the basic needs they lack.
There are over 3.5 million homeless people in the US now. Also, a quarter of people living on the streets are severely mentally ill, and must be admitted to institutions, and have the capability to if they were given or knew they had a chance. The poverty level is constantly rising, and is forcing more and more people onto the streets. We can just sit around and hope someone else does it, or we can take action. Next time you walk by a homeless man or family, and before you make a judgement about them, just take a minute and think about how easy it could be for you.
It is estimated that, “each year, more than 3 million people experience homelessness, including 1.3 million children” (NLCHP). Clearly poverty and Homelessness come hand in hand, and the economy downfall has only contributed to this growing crisis. “Homelessness stems from a lack of affordable housing. Increasing rents, destruction of traditional low-income housing, and cuts in federal housing programs threaten affordable housing with extinction” (NLCHP). Most people in poverty have a housing affordability crisis, which means that they pay more than half of their income for rent, so therefore they have to buffer to deal with unforeseen expenses.
Homelessness in the United States has been an important subject that the government needs to turn its attention to. There has been announced in the news that the number of the homeless people in many major cities in the United States has been increasing enormously. According to United States Interagency Council on Homelessness reported that there was an estimation of 83,170 individuals have experienced chronic homelessness on the streets of the United States’ streets and shelters on only a single night of January 2015, which is a small decrease of only 1% from the previous year (People Experiencing Chronic Homelessness, n.d.). The United States must consider this subject that most of the people underestimate it and not pay attention
At any given time, approximately 600,000 homeless survive at the front door of America. They are sleeping in parks, living in cardboard boxes, sitting on street corners, and resting under bridges. Terrible hunger gnaws at their stomachs as they search for food. Society labels the homeless as useless and worthless, but they are not. They are children, grandmothers, grandfathers, mothers, and fathers that need a place to sleep, eat, and live. What does society do to help? Nothing. Society hurries home from work, shopping, and leisure, worrying about who will win the next football game. Society is not worried about where their next meal will come from, where they will sleep, or where they will be tomorrow. Although it is difficult for society not to feel discomfort at seeing homeless people, it is the homeless who pay for the way people feel about them. Alienation of the homeless in America is a direct result of injustice, health issues, and societal attitudes; however, solutions are available to society as they are obligated to all of their citizenry, including the homeless.
The amount of students who are or are in danger of becoming homeless has increase on our country over the years. Although society structured people to attend post-secondary school in order to receive a sustained career, there are some cases where college is simply too expensive. Many homeless students are not receiving a proper education due to these circumstances, which results of them dropping out. Because of this situation, there are different methods to combat students dropping out of college due to financial issues. However, increasing taxes and/or tuition would not benefit the situation without an increase of society’s knowledge and awareness in the topic.
While Soup Kitchens are a way to feed the poor or homeless, it not a program that effectively helps the homeless onto their feet, it simply keeps them fed. (www.merriam-webster.com) These do help the unsheltered homeless population though. While there are shelters, not everyone has access to them or some even chose not to go. In the city of Los Angeles, there are about 27,000 homeless people who are unsheltered, that’s 1 in 378. There are various factors that cause homelessness; these include a decline in public assistance, domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, job loss, divorce, low wages, poverty, severe depression, physical disabilities or mental illnesses. From the year 2011 to 2012, the number of homeless people skyrocketed. In New York City alone, there are more homeless people in the year 2014 than there were in the recession of the 1980s. (www.studentsagainsthunger.org)
Homeless individuals are known for taking hand outs and they prefer to plead for money rather than to go work for it. People assume most of the the money that is given to homeless people they spend it on drugs and alcohol because of the fact that many homeless people have drug and alcohol addictions. It is not uncommon to come across homeless youth and older homeless population that are known to abuse substances like drugs and alcohol. Because of the fact that homeless people have substance abuse problems, they tend face illnesses and infections. Many hard working Americans ask themselves “why don’t homeless people just get jobs?” The assumption is they are just lazy and unmotivated. Homeless people choose to live the life they live. Everyone goes through problems but not all people take the path homeless people do. The problems homeless people face is not an excuse for them to be helped and maintained by other hard working people. Although homelessness might be a choice to some, no one knows the hardships these people have gone through. Some assume these people are just lazy but in reality a lot of these homeless people have jobs of their own, they just can’t afford housing and a decent life. Everyone has their own opinion on homeless people, but that does not change the fact that one should still serve the homeless. Not because homeless people need help but because we are
In January of 2016, there were approximately 549,928 people who were classified as “experiencing homelessness.” Being homeless is a horrid thing, living on the cold concrete, no bed to sleep on, no shower to keep clean, and no place to store food or even cook food. New York City currently holds the most homeless people about 73,000! The nearest city to Kenosha with high amounts of homeless people would be Chicago, and the Chicago Tribune says that there is an estimated 125,848 thousand people that are homeless. Homelessness for the Chicago Tribune is not living on the streets, but just not owning a home and living at other people’s house. Just by reading these facts, it is easy to tell that homeless people need help and they can’t do it by
Homelessness is a subject that has inspired many to write poems, speeches, and even songs. However, there is more depth to homelessness than just a source for inspiration; this is an ongoing problem for many all over the world. The 40th president to the United States, Ronald Reagan, once said that "what we have found in this country, and maybe we're more aware of it now, is one problem that we've had, even in the best of times, and that is the people who are sleeping on the grates, the homeless, you might say, by choice."(Reagan). The president's expression is very powerful even today, implying that even in the best of times homelessness is one of the top issues in society. Notice how President Regan cleverly used the wording "by choice" at the end of the sentence, what did he mean to convey by this? Was he implying that those who are homeless are so by choice? Or that many individuals perceived homelessness to be a choice? Perhaps it was a way to raise awareness of the impending problems that can lead an individual to homelessness. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness and the National Coalition for the Homeless, there are three triggering factors that lead to homelessness, lack of affordable housing, unemployment, and health care ("Why Are People Homeless?"). Therefore, when exploring into more depth the determining reasons, considering the key roles that a home, money, and employment play in an individual’s life will facilitate a better understanding of the downward spiral towards homelessness.
The problem im trying to solve is this, you going to any kind of big city and seeing the streets littered with homeless people. Walking down the street and seeing many homeless asking and begging for money, and rarely food. While these people might make excuses on how it happened, it doesn't really matter anymore, what matters now is that they are currently homeless. Now imagine You’re walking through some big city with a large homeless population and you see these people suffering and you want to take pity on these people while some are here because of bad luck, while others are where they are now because of many things like drugs, greed, or already living in poverty.
This great nation of awesome power and abundant resources is losing the battle against homelessness. The casualties can be seen on the street corners of every city in American holding an ?I will work for food? sign. Homeless shelters and rescue missions are at full capacity. There is no room at the inn for the nation?s indigent. Anyone who has studied this issue understands that homelessness is a complex problem. Communities continue to struggle with this socio-economic problem while attempting to understand its causes and implement solutions. The public and private sectors of this country are making a difference in the lives of the homeless by addressing the issues of housing, poverty and education.
Like all individuals, homeless children have mandatory needs that must be met in order to live. First, they need shelter with electricity, running water, and plumbing. They also need the required nutrition for a child to grow properly and healthy. Homeless children are also required to go to school, meaning they need means of transportation and school supplies. Like all children, they also need structure in their lives in order to function in society. They also need the love and attention of others in order to have a sense of belonging. Homeless children need clothing items that are appropriate for the weather as well. For example, they should have a winter coat for the colder months. These children should also have medical check-ups to ensure
When it comes to helping the homeless, some might think that that is the easiest thing to do. Just giving them food and shelter should do wonders. But it’s not always the solution. The shelter you might provide for a couple of nights won’t last them long. They won’t be able to get back onto their feet and keep a stable job. Give them more everyday supplies than money. Treat them like a human being.