Helping the Homelessness
Princess Alexander Alexander 1
Kayla Williams
Eng 111-206
29 Nov 2012
Helping the Homelessness
Homelessness is defined as a condition in which a person lacks a fixed, regular, and inadequate night-time residence. Estimated homeless figures in the United States range from 600,000 to 2.5 million 1.37 million of the total homeless population in USA are children under the age of 18. 40% are families with children, 41% are single males, 14% are single female Research by Dennis Culhane, University of Pennsylvania, followed thousands of homeless people in New York and each of them used an average of $40,000 a year in public services, such as increased health care (Jones). Homelessness is a major problem here in the USA. Maybe I feel this way because the government is always running to the frontline when other countries are in need, but they can’t help their own. Could it be the budget or the bad economy? Can homelessness be eliminated? I don’t think so, but I think we can change things so that there are less people on the streets. In this paper I’m going to be discussing the homeless population in Toledo, Ohio (Lucas County) and what we can hope to change for them, for the better
First, I’m going to start with some facts and figures on homelessness. For families the most common causes for homelessness are: lack of affordable housing, unemployment, and poverty. For singles they are: substance abuse, lack of affordable housing and mental illness. Veterans are more likely to become homeless, 40% of homeless men are veterans. There are more African-Americans homeless then any other ethnic group. The first and only major federal legislative response to homelessness is The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act signed in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan.
Kayla Williams
Eng 111-206
29 Nov 2012
Helping the Homelessness
Homelessness is defined as a condition in which a person lacks a fixed, regular, and inadequate night-time residence. Estimated homeless figures in the United States range from 600,000 to 2.5 million 1.37 million of the total homeless population in USA are children under the age of 18. 40% are families with children, 41% are single males, 14% are single female Research by Dennis Culhane, University of Pennsylvania, followed thousands of homeless people in New York and each of them used an average of $40,000 a year in public services, such as increased health care (Jones). Homelessness is a major problem here in the USA. Maybe I feel this way because the government is always running to the frontline when other countries are in need, but they can’t help their own. Could it be the budget or the bad economy? Can homelessness be eliminated? I don’t think so, but I think we can change things so that there are less people on the streets. In this paper I’m going to be discussing the homeless population in Toledo, Ohio (Lucas County) and what we can hope to change for them, for the better
First, I’m going to start with some facts and figures on homelessness. For families the most common causes for homelessness are: lack of affordable housing, unemployment, and poverty. For singles they are: substance abuse, lack of affordable housing and mental illness. Veterans are more likely to become homeless, 40% of homeless men are veterans. There are more African-Americans homeless then any other ethnic group. The first and only major federal legislative response to homelessness is The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act signed in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan.