Homelessness in the United States

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Why people are homeless in the United States

Homelessness is a severe social issue in the United States. One can spot homeless people almost everywhere. They belong to various age groups, ethnicity, and backgrounds. The one thing they all share is their poor financial condition and a lack of shelter.

The statistics paint a frightening picture. Over 552,800 people were experiencing homelessness every night during 2018. This represents a significant 0.17% of the entire population. According to reports, it has gotten no better since then. An alarming 40 percent increase occurred in major American cities during 2019.

Homelessness in the US results from both systemic and social barriers. Poverty, unemployment, rising rent, domestic violence, legal problems, drug abuse and alcoholism, and mental and physical illness are all significant factors.

Poverty

People living below the poverty line find it difficult to afford housing. Their poor financial condition deprives them of adequate shelter.

Unemployment

Unemployment might be long-term, or it may be a sudden occurrence. Either way, the person suffering from it cannot afford rent or mortgage. Job insecurity results in housing uncertainty.

Skyrocketing Rent

The general rise in property prices has made life even more difficult for these people. An increase in urbanization causes an increase in property demand. This is because people move to these urban centers in search of better living standards. But, this also drives prices upward. This makes it difficult for those living below the poverty line to afford housing.

Domestic Violence

Domestic abuse and violence affect people in many ways. One of these is forcing the victims to leave their homes. While they get respite from the abuse, they find themselves on the streets. Returning to their abusive relations is hardly an option. Thus, they end up spending a long time without a decent home.

Legal Problems

Prisoners awaiting trial often end up losing employment and housing, too. They have no choice but to settle for temporary shelters or drop-in centers.

Drug and substance abuse

Drug abuse is widespread in the US.  Drug addicts often face expulsion from their homes. Their problems with addiction make them unbearable for their family members. These individuals spend a lot on drugs, which leaves little behind for rent or mortgage. They will usually refuse to seek help with housing, despite their homelessness. Thus, their addiction problems continue without a roof over their heads.

Mental and Physical Illnesses

Victims of mental and physical illnesses face homelessness, too. Their families either can’t bear them or can’t afford treatment for them. Thus, such individuals end up living on the streets as well.

The parts of the United States that have the greatest problems with homelessness

The US hosts many urban cities with massive populations. These include iconic cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Places like these are the ones facing the most significant problems with homelessness.

These urban centers attract people from many parts of the US and from around the world. This results in an increase in demand for essentials, including housing. As property prices skyrocket, the poorer members of society struggle to afford housing. They have no choice but to settle for temporary shelter or even a place on the streets.

They will usually make flimsy shelters out of cardboard and plastic. One of the most common sights is people sleeping under bridges and flyovers in these cities. They have to put up with abuse, harassment, and ridicule. With little to no security, they have to bear with it for as long as they can.

What the Country is doing to help the currently homeless

NGOs and social workers play a huge role in helping homeless people in the US.

Charities and collaborations for the homeless in the United States

Charitable foundations like Pine St. buy buildings just to develop permanent housing for the homeless. Volunteers of America also provide various support services to those without homes. These include affordable housing, emergency service, and help against eviction. Faith-based organizations also support homeless people looking for places to stay.

Soup kitchens are also common across the USA. These kitchens are accessible and allow the homeless to have a decent meal. Many charitable groups organize food drives for the homeless. They also distribute blankets and clothes to people living on the streets. Drop-in centers allow the homeless to gain shelter and interact with others like them.

Industrial collaboration is very vital, too. Consider Google’s contribution, for instance. The tech giant pledged $1 billion for the funding of 20,000 homes in the San Francisco Bay Area.

What the government is doing to prevent future homelessness in the United States

One of the most successful governmental initiatives here is the HUD-VASH. This is a housing program that offers subsidized housing vouchers to homeless people who qualify for them. The service also caters to veterans of the armed forces who end up facing homelessness.

The US government has also noted the ‘Housing First’ principle. This is the principle of giving unconditional accommodation to a homeless person up-front. The person can then access other forms of support as well. This is different from expecting a homeless person to 'qualify' for housing. In the US, Chicago is currently implementing this scheme. The state of Utah even decreased its homeless population by 72 percent using this principle. Other states plan to follow suit.

The government is also working on inclusionary zoning policies. These policies make it necessary for buildings with more than a certain number of units to set aside some of them for the homeless. Low Income Housing Tax Credits also help developers work on affordable housing.

What measures the U.S. government can implement to end homelessness

The US government must invest in more affordable units for the homeless. This can be challenging, mainly because of high land costs. But, over the long term, the focus needs to be on increasing the number of housing options for the masses.

This will also help in making ‘Housing  First’ a reality across the country. The only way people can get unconditional housing is if there are enough buildings to choose from.

Over the short term, the government can open up more public spaces for the homeless. Public libraries, for instance, can serve as excellent hubs for the homeless. These places offer free computer and internet services that can help the homeless connect with the world. They can also avail a library to socialize with people and look for jobs. By opening up more libraries to the homeless, the government can make life easier for them.

What citizens can do to help end homelessness in the United States

As a citizen, you may be unable to improve homeless lives overnight. But, you can change your attitudes for the better.

For starters, every citizen must make it a point to empathize with homeless people. We must not be wary of greeting them or engaging with them. We must acknowledge their existence as worthy human beings.

It is also possible to prepare special care packages for the homeless. These could include food, water, and clothes that will help them get through another day. Volunteering at drop-in centers, food banks, or local shelters will also have an impact. Not only will it allow you to help the homeless, but it will also make it easier for you to empathize with them.

You can make donations to charities or programs geared towards ending homelessness. Such programs need all the funds they can get to have a positive impact on the lives of the homeless. Even a paltry amount donated by you can go a long way in helping the needy.

You could also consider becoming an advocate for the homeless. This can include educating people about the plight of the homeless. You can also fight for the rights of those who face constant harassment. By raising awareness like this, you can improve the lives of the homeless.

If I am homeless in the U.S. who can help me?

Social workers and NGOs can help you. They can guide you to drop-in centers, soup kitchens, and other helpful places. If you struggle with addiction, they may also help you avail with rehab. They can even help you find a decent place to live for the long term. It is easy to find them via the Internet or by asking around.

Final Thoughts

Homelessness continues to be a severe crisis in the United States. It plagues all kinds of people. But, there is no reason to believe that nothing can be done about it. Careful governmental planning and positive public attitudes can go a long way. You must play your part by educating yourself and helping the homeless however you can. Together, we can put an end to this crisis.