Homelessness A Homeless Person Is Simply Defined As A...

Homelessness in America A homeless person is simply defined as a person who does not have an adequate residence. Ever since I was a child I have been fascinated with the homeless. I would see them sleeping on the streets when my mom drove me to church on Sunday mornings and I remember asking my mom a lot of questions about the homeless. They intrigued me. I couldn’t fathom why people were living on the side of the road or under bridges and did not have a home to live in. I always wanted to help in whatever way I could because I felt sorry for them. My mom and I had many talks about homeless people. According to the website www.hudexchange.info, â€Å"On a single night in January 2013, 610,042 people were homeless in the United States.† However, this number may not represent all of the homeless because many cannot be accounted for. If they have no ID and do not stay in a shelter they are omitted from the statistics. Interestingly, half of the country’s homeless population lives in Texas, California, Massachusetts and New York. (thinkprogress.org). So, why are there so many homeless people in America? The major factors contributing to the homeless in America are; mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence and the lack of affordable housing. Most people would think of a homeless person just as a bum and not think about the different hardships they have been through that lead them where they are. Mental Illness People who suffer from an untreated mentalShow MoreRelatedHomelessness Is An Unfortunate Epidemic3425 Words   |  14 PagesHomelessness is an unfortunate epidemic that has plagued communities across the United States for decades. Although a homeless population has existed in our society throughout history, this social issue came to a head only a few decades ago in the early 1980’s. What defines homelessness varies from source to source, however a concise definition, stated by the McKinney-Vento Act, specifies that a homeless individual is typically one that lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate night time residenceRead MoreCriminalization of the Homeless Community2622 Words   |  11 PagesCRIMINALIZATION OF THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY Many individuals experience homelessness do not have certain needs, including affordable housing, adequate income and health care. Some homeless persons may need additional services such as mental health or drug treatment in order to be securely housed. This research paper will discuss what homeless means, various ways in which individuals become homeless, trends, laws that effect the homeless , and do decriminalization of the homeless community help or hinderRead MoreThe Extinction Of Homelessness Essay1856 Words   |  8 PagesThe Extinction of Homelessness As 2016 has begun to come to an end. Most families in America are focusing on the presidential election, planning year end events or even establishing resolutions for the new year. While the invisible part of most cities population is faced with a pivotal decision. How will I survive a brutal winter without proper housing? On the surface this may appear to be an uncomplicated matter, to the casual eye, but it is genuinely a painstakingly complicated matter. CommunitiesRead MoreHomelessness Paper2330 Words   |  10 PagesHomelessness is defined as â€Å"An Individual who lacks a fixed regular and adequate nighttime residence†, (Burt, 1989, p.17). Have you ever stopped to wonder how many people are Homeless? Who are most at risk to fall into this situation? I highly doubt it. While most people really do not care and ignore homeless people, others look at them as motivation, people whom they do not want to become. Another question that comes to mind is, how do homeless peop le survive and what are their legal rights.Read MoreHomelessness Thesis9065 Words   |  37 Pages Homelessness is a critical issue that requires everyone’s attention. Hundreds of thousands of homeless people live on the streets as their shelter. Historically, homelessness has always been a problem in society. Homeless people were known as â€Å"the wondering poor†, â€Å"sturdy beggars†, and as â€Å"vagrants,† but it was not until the late 18th century that homelessness because noticeable to society. Homeless person is anyone who lacks adequate shelter, resources, and community ties. People who are homelessRead MoreHomelessness Thesis9057 Words   |  37 Pages Homelessness is a critical issue that requires everyone’s attention. Hundreds of thousands of homeless people live on the streets as their shelter. Historically, homelessness has always been a problem in society. Homeless people were known as â€Å"the wondering poor†, â⠂¬Å"sturdy beggars†, and as â€Å"vagrants,† but it was not until the late 18th century that homelessness because noticeable to society. Homeless person is anyone who lacks adequate shelter, resources, and community ties. People who are homeless