Preview

How Many People Experience Homelessness In The United States?

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1008 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
How Many People Experience Homelessness In The United States?
Homelessness in the Unites States

1. The extent of homelessness

Homelessness is a serious problem in the United States. Present statistics estimate that approximately 3.5 million people, of which 1.35 million are children, are likely to be homeless in any given year. (How Many People Experience Homelessness?) Studies have also established that “…1% of the U.S. population experiences homelessness each year…” (How Many People Experience Homelessness?) Furthermore the figures also indicate that the incidence of homelessness is on the increase in America with homelessness rates tripling between 1981 and 1989. More recently The National Law Center for Homelessness and Poverty reports that over 3 million men, women, and children were homeless over the past year. (Homeless.org)
The most appropriate
…show more content…
Solutions
The solution to homelessness, according to many experts, lies in the paying attention to the main cause of this social phenomenon. This includes dealing with the economic root of the problem by upgrading low wages and dealing with the important issue of affordable housing. It has also been suggested that project such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families be refurbished and improved. Another point of view is that homelessness is part of larger problem which has to do with the way the social system in the country works. “Ending homelessness does not mean fixing broken people. It means fixing a broken system.” ( Homelessness & Poverty) This view tends to se the root cause and the solutions to the problem as one which demands an integrated assessment of the entire social, health-care and housing system in the United

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    This assignment will identify key points then critically compare and contrast different articles (Farrell, 2012) and (Parsell, 2013) on homelessness. It will ascertain the topic and focal points that surround homelessness. Furthermore it will discuss and link together the similarities and differences of their main argument and policy message within the articles.…

    • 1254 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    During the past decade there may have been an increase in homelessness due to the struggles of daily life. People have many ideas on ways that the government or communities can help improve these situations. It is not easy to help the homeless but any help can improve their lives and our streets. It may not take them completely off our streets but it can help them to get back on their feet.…

    • 536 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Homeless refers to the people who do not have an adequate and permanent residence. They live and sleep in the streets or in impoverished shelters, under bridges, or on street curbs. Although homelessness, which is a construct of poverty, is an important issue in all countries, it is particularly if interest within the United States because it is wealthier that many other nations; yet, a much higher share of its population has income near or below the poverty line, resulting in millions homeless citizens. The social phenomenon has increased since the 1980s and many state officials and social aid organizations and institutions are addressing the issue head on. This policy analysis will use empirical research to reveal how poverty has a negative effect on communities and inevitably, the thriving of poor oppressed people, leaving millions homeless, when systems fail them. Also, this paper will discuss the current issues that America has with homelessness and also the history of this social woe. Additionally, you will read the social structural sources that are responsible for this social problem such as lack of employment, under education, institutional racism, which are just a few of the factors…

    • 4484 Words
    • 18 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    Many people think homelessness is rare and only touches certain kinds of individuals. However, it is far more common than people believe and it touches almost every…

    • 635 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Homelessness is not an error of people, caused by their characteristics or mistakes, but instead, by society 's and governments ' actions or failures to act in the areas of poverty, deinstitutionalization, and the shrinking supply of affordable housing. At the root of homelessness is poverty, and the growing number of poor is leaving many without shelter, or a roof over their heads. Deinstitutionalization was originally seen as an appropriate way to maximize resources, but insufficient reinforcement has led to vagrancy. The rising cost of rent and housing has made it difficult to pay for other basic necessities such as food, leading to homelessness as the only option. However, if prevention and reduction strategies are…

    • 1685 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Best Essays

    Two trends are largely responsible for the rise in homelessness over the past 20-25 years: a growing shortage of affordable rental housing and a simultaneous increase in poverty. Persons living in poverty are most at risk of becoming homeless, and demographic groups who are more likely to experience poverty are also more likely to experience homelessness (National Coalition for the Homelessness, 2009). The lack of affordable housing is the primary cause of homelessness in the United States. Due to the combination of stagnant incomes and rising housing costs, affordable housing has become unobtainable for an increasing portion of the population, and as the disparity between wages and housing costs increases, more individuals are at risk of homelessness. In the current national market, even a one- bedroom…

    • 2622 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    Imagine spending each night out on the streets and waking up to a blathering commotion on rough, lumpy concrete. Your thoughts leading you to your own theory of as the only chances of survival are begging and relying on people for food or change and searching for anything edible in the nearest garbage cans. Homelessness is one of the most difficult journeys you might get in life. Whether you’re a child or an adult, there is a chance that you can encounter these horrendous conditions, but these circumstances do not just come out of nowhere. There are many factors that lead to becoming homeless. However, solutions are out there in the world. Solutions that may end homelessness. We should all work together to end homelessness everywhere throughout the world. This essay will discuss…

    • 750 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Advocay

    • 649 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Homeless People & Problems Today there are between one thousand four hundred homeless in the El Paso TX, imagine what the population is in the whole entire United States. It is said that: "The most proximate cause of homelessness in America is poverty" (University of Richmond, 2003), not only poverty but employment better yet to blame the economy. The definition of being homeless means that a person does not have a permanent place to live or stay. No only being homeless is a problem also being poor in nutrition, unemployment, illnesses, drug addictions, and violence. Homelessness is growing tremendously each year and studies have showed that new programs and aid must be given to homeless people; to find a way to maintain it and or to preventing it from growing.…

    • 649 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Homelessness is one of the biggest issues that people face in many counties. The United States faces many homelessness issues. Homelessness issues create many social, economical and security problems which should be dealt with very seriously by the government and the society as well to ensure the well being of all people in the society. Homeless issues differ from a city to another based on the typist of people and opportunities of each city. But let’s face it, what are the major causes of being homeless? There are many causes that could make the normal person living turned into homeless and that based on some causes such as: lack of education, work opportunities, mental, physical problems and social responsibilities.…

    • 620 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Homelessness in America

    • 4391 Words
    • 18 Pages

    Homelessness is a massive problem in the United States and historically homeless persons were primarily men who were kept out of society’s “view” by living in “Skid Row” zones. However, between 1980 and 1990, the American society saw an explosion of a new form of social problems, this new problem moved from single male homeless members to a family issue. Every year, hundreds of thousands of American families suffer from circumstances that result in the family unit becoming homeless; these homeless families include more than 1.6 million children (Webb). Now among the industrialized nations, the United States has the largest number of homeless women and children. This paper will focus on homelessness among families and the children and the impact of the family unit. The paper will also clarify general information about homelessness and provide background information to offer an understanding of the degree and significance of family homelessness.…

    • 4391 Words
    • 18 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Being homeless is the biggest epidemic in modern day America next to health care. As the numbers climb the local and federal governments have no answers as to why. As 407,966 people are homeless the local cities need a answer to this problem. With the homeless drug addicts roaming the streets and committing crimes. Also with them bringing down the looks of the local neighborhoods we need to build a bigger homeless shelter for this people to be able to go. That is why during this speech i will present facts on why are city needs a bigger homeless shelter.…

    • 602 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The problem of homelessness in America is escalating day by day. Homelessness doesn’t discriminate between races or skin color, although some may be a bit more prevalent. Homeless people range from former veterans, to immigrants, to families struggling to find a solid paying job and a stable lifestyle. Also, although most people relate a homeless person to an underdressed, rugged man, the homeless population now leans towards families. There are more and more homeless families on the streets every day. Homeless families can be an effect of discrimination because of race, a result of violence in a family, or an effect of a physical disability or mental illness.…

    • 1022 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Homelessness in America

    • 1049 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Link,B., Susser, E., Stueve, A., Phelan, J., Moore, R., & Struening, E. (1994). Lifetime and fiveyear prevalence of homelessness in the United States. Retrieved April, 29 from…

    • 1049 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Homelessness is a growing social injustice in the United States. The degradation that these people face every day is terrifying. It is a crisis that we too often ignore, hoping it will restore itself. That assumption delivers a widespread lack of understanding about the facts that lead to homelessness. Homelessness exists as a problem that we should acknowledge and treat.…

    • 809 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Homeless Social Change

    • 505 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, (2016), reported the current estimate of the homeless population at 549,928 to Congress November of 2016, after the completion of a point in time survey conducted one night at the end of January 2016 across the nation to include the sheltered and unsheltered homeless population. Of the 549,928 reported, 68% were residing in emergency shelters. The homeless population according to the report is comprised of veterans, families, unaccompanied youth 18-24 years, unaccompanied children under age 18 and single individuals. At some point and time, social workers will encounter this population regardless of their discipline and it is important to understand the issue, the person's perspective, and the needs and resources available to assist (Social Work Policy Institute, 2010). Social workers operate from the position of social change and understanding the many dimensions of homeless will assist social workers in the fight to end homelessness. There are many perspectives and misconceptions on the issue surrounding the homeless population. Society plays in integral role on the issue of homelessness and resources and actions taken to prevent the increasing numbers. As social workers, we have the ability to guide how homeless individuals and families see themselves and how society sees…

    • 505 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays