Homelessness in America Essay - 1172 Words

In fiscal year 2006, the HUD, Department of Housing and Urban Development, was presented a budget by the Bush Administration consisting of $528.5 billion for homeless programs (Romeo 1). The problem of homelessness and extreme poverty is not a new occurrence; but in past years more extreme measures have been taken to combat the issue as more people become homeless. Expensive social programs and housing developments for the homeless have been created to help battle the increasing issue. Homelessness is an expensive problem that will never end; furthermore, the condition of homeless people in America is affected by the type of education they receive, the state of the economy, and the amount of funds that are available to house and feed them.†¦show more content†¦In the 1980-90’s, a college graduates earnings were drastically higher than those with just a high school degree (Bernstein 1). While having a college degree of some sort makes getting a job in the real world ea sier, the quality of the job is what is coming into question. The amount of jobs available for both high school and college graduates will always be enough, but if the quality of the jobs decreases then the poverty class will increase (Bernstein 3). This struggle to find quality jobs with just a high school or even a college diploma could result in a spike in homelessness and even more money needed from the government. The unemployment rate in the U.S. will never be zero percent, and that means there will never be someone that is not homeless. Homelessness will always be a very hard battle to fight. Prior to 2008, things were looking good for homeless advocates. In 2005 to 2007, the number of the chronically homeless dropped about 30 percent (Fagan 1). This shows improvement in the prevention of homelessness, along with the assistance to get people out of homelessness. Although this does show improvement, this report was conducted prior to the economic down fall of the U.S. economy in 2008, which completely changed these statistics. Roughly between 2009 and 2010 the amount of New Yorkers visiting the food pantries increased to 200,000 (Ratner 3). Part of the increase in the amount of homeless at the pantries is because of theShow MoreRelatedHomelessness In America1007 Words   |  5 PagesHomelessness in the United States is a serious problem that can be helped by giving homeless people opportunities to thrive in better conditions and/or communities. Although getting them off the streets is a huge step in the right direction, other actions need to be taken. Making sure they have somebody in their corner is a huge step in that process. There are 1,750,000 homeless people on the streets at this very moment. 1 in 30 children in the US, 40% of the homeless population are also VeteransRead MoreHomelessness in America3563 Words   |  15 PagesHomelessness in America Social Program: Public Housing Introduction The issue of homelessness is one that I can relate to all too well. About twenty five years ago I found myself among the homeless. My story is simple, I had no formal education and was working a job making minimum wage. I couldn’t keep up with my rent and other living expenses and was finally evicted from my overpriced apartment. At the time I was on a waiting list for public housing for which there wasRead MoreHomelessness in America Essay1414 Words   |  6 PagesHomelessness in America Here in Tahoe, we are lucky enough to experience a great quality of life, and only a few have to face the horrible life of poverty and homelessness. 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Homelessness is not a disease that a person can catch from bodily contact, but it certainlyRead More Homelessness in america Essay1369 Words   |  6 Pages Homelessness in America nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Here in Tahoe, we are lucky enough to experience a great quality of life, and only a few have to face the horrible life of poverty and homelessness. However, nationwide, even right outside the basin, homelessness is a growing epidemic across the country. There are many ways one can become homeless; for the most part poverty. There are also different concentrations of homeless in different types of terrain, such as urban or suburban areas. LastRead MoreHomelessness in America Essay1783 Words   |  8 PagesHomelessness in America Each country in the world is faced with various social issues that attract the interests of society and the government. Homelessness is an enormous issue that America has been dealing with for years. There are millions of people, including children, families, veterans, and the elderly who go day to day without food, water or any form of shelter. Mentally ill people also have a rough time out on the streets due to their state of confusion, which makes it dangerous for themRead MoreThe Effects Of Homelessness In America1846 Words   |  8 Pagesshelter or a transitional housing program between October 1st, 2008 and September 30th, 2009. The severity of homelessness is often looked over by different communities. Even here in Charlotte the number of homeless children enrolled in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is 4,700. While 10 percent of people in Charlotte are considered chronically homeless (National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, 2007). America’s homeless population consists of many at-risk groups, including people sufferingRead MoreHomelessness in America Essay2028 Words   |  9 PagesAccording to Streetwise of Street News Services (2010), the first reported instances of homelessness dates as far back as 1640, in some of the larger cities in the original 13 colonies. At this time, there were wars being fought between settlers and Native Americans, and people were left with no shelter in both sides (Street News Service, 2010). Later, the industrial revolution caused more homelessness, industrial accidents left many former hard-working families with a dead provider, or with severeRead MoreEnding Homelessness in America634 Words   |  3 Pageseasily lead someone into a financial struggle. This can lead to homelessness. Homelessness is not a lifestyle that one would choose by choice. In 2003, there has been ... as many as 1.3 million Canadians that have experienced homelessness...at some point during the last 5 years. Affordable housing cos ts less on an annual basis compared to putting the homeless in prison. Canada was the last to have an action plan towards ending homelessness and as we are understanding; the prisons are being over-populatedRead MoreThe Effect of Homelessness on the Youth of America1086 Words   |  5 Pages There are millions of homeless youth in America. On any given night, you can find these children ducking into abandoned buildings, crammed up against alley dumpsters, curled inside the big yellow slide of a local playground. I imagine they are thankful for sleep, wary of a new day, but thankful nonetheless. Homelessness at such a young age if left alone, leads to increased rates of conflict. The more homeless youths now, the more our country as a whole will have to deal with divorce, mental illness