Homelessness Is Homelessness Increasing in the United Essay

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Homelessness

Is homelessness increasing in the United States?

Homelessness has become progressively more apparent in the United States over the past quarter century. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has amassed a wealth of data that confirm low-income housing is a critical requirement. Even as some communities are realizing a decrease in their homeless population; others are experiencing the opposite. It is disheartening to note that the largest increase in homelessness is families with children. Figures show that on any given night 633,784 people are without a place to call home and of these 239,403 are families. There are multiple causal factors including structural inequalities emanating from America's social institutions. The educational system upon which opportunity is founded as well as the decreased purchasing power of low-wage incomes are antecedents to homelessness as well. Finally, the plain truth is there is a simple lack of affordable low-income housing in the United States.

The pros for this question are: economic growth, increased charity, opportunity to create more jobs

The cons for this question are: formation of extensive low income groups, increased poverty and inflation, increased familial disharmony

Elaboration

Angela Whitaker's Climb, a text by Isabel Wilkerson, poignantly establishes the reciprocity of poverty and education on limited financial opportunity. In plain English the author demonstrates the manner in which impoverished communities are vulnerable to a lower quality of education which exacerbates opportunities for financial gain and the ability to break the cycle of poverty that resonates through generations (Wilkerson p. 224). Low wage jobs are naturally indicative of limited purchasing capabilities that translate to difficulty in maintaining a residence as well. The culprit is minimum wage. Research shows that even full time employment of one parent - or even the combined incomes of two parents who earn only minimum wage - have insufficient income to afford what is considered "fair market rental of a two bedroom apartment" (Anderson 2003). The disastrous result of this reality is homelessness at alarming rates in the United States. Complicating the issue is the fact homelessness is a sign of credit problems that can prevent families from securing new lodging thereby continuing the pattern of homelessness.

Currently the main cause of homelessness can be traced to the increasing chasm between the cost of maintaining some sort of lodging and the income a family can generate; as well as the reality that the availability of low-cost housing in this country continues to recede. Research confirms this posit. According to one study "the number of un-subsidized units affordable to extremely low-income households is currently 1.2 million, while the number of extremely low-income households is estimated at 4.5 million, which suggest a 3.3 million unit deficit of affordable housing units in the United States" (Anderson 2003). Those who lack adequate income due to poverty, financial setbacks or the myriad of problems many face - literally find themselves on the streets each day.

Additionally, there is a wealth of data that has been collected over the past several decades to support the premise that social stratification is one of the main sources of homelessness in different demographics. Sociologists and other parties who are devoted to the subject of homelessness and its eradication state that clearly one third of the homeless population is families with children. Of these another nearly twenty percent are single women and nearly another third are veterans who have served their country. It is difficult to decide wherein lies the greater shame of a country of wealth - the fact that it so handily turns its backs on ther veterans or helpless children. There is no shortage of research on this very weighty topic. One text, Structured Inequality, explains that the limited access of racial and ethnic groups and women to valued resources such as education is emotionally and socially debilitating and all but ensures their confinement to the lowest socioeconomic levels of society by constraining their ability to alter their social position in society. The greatest urgency is for families with children as they are the segment of the homeless population that shows the greatest increase. While the solutions are complex there is little doubt that one valuable response would be to increase the availability of affordable housing. To do otherwise opens up a variety of problems for children in this situation including poor school attendance and performance, medical problems and poverty-related issues such as violence and sexual assault.

Homelessness has been a part of the American fabric since its founding; and will continue to remain so until a concerted effort on behalf of multiple agencies is imposed.

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The response to resolving homelessness requires a combination of government programs that provide affordable housing, authentic social services to break the cycle of poverty and standardized education. Additionally, the general public's perceptions of those who are poor and homeless must be altered. Too often, those who dwell in poverty are thought of as 'lazy' or 'unmotivated'; as if poverty and homelessness were the fault of the individual. The reality, however, is much different. Many people who fall on hard times are the product of a dynamic economy that is in a constant state of change - downsizing, unemployment and deindustrialization are all examples of causes of homelessness that are beyond the realm of the individual to control. Furthermore, society tends to dismiss the homeless; looking past them as if they are invisible. It is a sad commentary on this country that there are actually more shelters for animals than humans. And talk is cheap. All the lip service in the world will not house a single person. Genuine equality and action are needed to ensure that everyone has access to the American Dream.

Further Support

Research on the scope of the problem finds that homelessness is regularly underreported. The result is a limited governmental response; thereby allowing the pattern to repeat itself from one generation to the next. One excellent resource is the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty (NLCHP) which provides honest key data concerning homeless persons in America (NLCHP, ). As far back as 1995 they noted the gravity of homelessness in the United States. According to their figures over 3 million people were homeless. This demand is still increasing. More recently, the demand for shelter rose 14%, according to a survey released in December 2004 by the U.S. Conference of Mayors on hunger and homelessness" (NLCHP, ).

The causes of homelessness are many. They include addictions to alcohol and/or drugs, the breakdown of the family unit, the de-institutionalizing of mental patients, a faltering economy, job and benefits loss, and prisoner release. In each case the ability to find a place to live becomes more than challenging. It often becomes impossible thanks in part to the social stratification in this country. Poverty and homelessness go hand-in-hand and emanate from broad social and economic inequalities in the United States. The fact that the wealthiest twenty percent of Americans control eighty percent of the country's wealth is offered as evidence of the challenges facing this country's poorest citizens. Conversely, sociologists argue against a figure of 20% impoverishment in the United States; believing this figure to be wholly inaccurate. Frankly, no matter the numbers it is a problem that deserves genuine attention to invoke long-term change to break the perpetuation of poverty.

Homelessness can be considered from both the macro-sociological (broad) and micro-sociological (more individual) point-of-view. The former analyzes social classes and the manner in which groups relate to each other; and the latter studies how people come together. Functional theorists would offer that social trends are the main reason for homelessness and not the personal attributes of the homeless individual. In other words, such things as a lack of affordable housing or urban expansion are the antecedents to homelessness; therefore inferring that homelessness is the result of a societal dysfunction - originating from an imbalance along the trajectory of societal systems. The functionalist approach "would examine how changes in the parts of society have increased homelessness. Conflict theorists would stress the struggle between social classes, especially how the policies of the wealthy force certain groups into unemployment and homelessness" (Henslin, p. 31-32). Conflict theorists believe homelessness can be traced to 'unequal elements' such as inequality among classes; capitalism vs. urbanization; and even the control of resources by the rich over the poor.

Moreover, wealthy people are able to maximize their own rewards; increasing their own social power over the poor and homeless. One example of this is that landlords of inner city housing are able to increase home and rent prices for those who struggle to keep a roof over their heads. However, homelessness cannot be looked at simply through the eyes of the macro-sociologist or micro-sociologist because each offers different perspectives. One must consider homelessness in both realms "to ensure a fuller understanding of social life" (Henslin, p. 125). The sad truth is that many Americans are only a paycheck away from homelessness; and without safe, secure and affordable shelter the individual is prone to….....

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