...Running head: HOMELESSNESS Homelessness in America Victoria M. Williams SOC 331, Social Justice & Ethics Cari Lynn Beecham-Bautista, Instructor November 23, 2015 HOMELESSNESS Homelessness in America Homelessness is a multifaceted social problem that is difficult for America to solve. Over the past three decades, there has been an increase in the homeless population in America (“Opening Doors Plan,” 2015). Even when America’s economy is progressing, there is still a high number of citizens who are facing homelessness (“Opening Doors Plan,” 2015). A lack of federal financial assistance, fragmented services and the difficulties in accessing these services have played a major role in hampering the solution to this social problem (“Opening Doors Plan,” 2015). As a result, these factors have necessitated a shift in federal, state and local policies to end homelessness. America has learned that homelessness can no longer be viewed as a short-term crisis where an abundance of emergency shelters can solve the problem. The demand for emergency shelters has always exceeded the supply for them. In order for justice to occur, there is an urgent need for more preventive measures and long-term solutions to end this problem. Homeless individuals and families are a vulnerable population whose rights have to be protected. A just response to America’s homeless problem has to include prohibition of criminalization laws, permanent housing with supportive...
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...Fabiola Martinez 10/21/10 9:10-10:35 am Federal Grants In Texas According to the publisher of American Government and Politics a grant is ,“ A form of gift that entails certain obligations on the part of a grantee and expectations on the part of the grantor.” (American Government & Politics, Jay M. Shafritz) There is such thing as a no free lunch, the grants students get have obligations that students have to go by like maintaining a high GPA, having 12 hours minimum, etc. as well as for the other organizations they have to keep up with their obligations. Texas offers a lot of federal grants to those in need such as organizations, institutions, and state and local governments that are planning major projects that will help the community as a whole. Students, businesses, communities, and schools need to go through a project or program approval for them to get grants. Through this federal budget process, congress passes laws that involves with the making of the money which are use for the projects that agencies, states, and even the president suggest , in the end Congress decides how much money is going to be distribute between those programs and projects (Robert Longley). Texas is one of the largest state in America and is well known for the offers of the substantial numbers of grants and scholarships given to individuals looking to enter into or who are enrolled in a Texas institute. In Texas we have the merit-based scholarship and grant program were it helps Texas...
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...Homelessness in California Introduction Homelessness is a condition or a state where an individual or a family does not have a home to live in. Along with that, the person is deprived of the legal and the social dimensions making him emotionally weak and in the state of isolation. Since the year 1980s, there had been a great shock to the Americans due to the rising homelessness. This led to a burst in the studies and the rising stories related to the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of July 1987. In this act, there was an interference allowed of the federal government into this policy of homelessness, which had created many issues. For many years after that, this issue of homelessness remained on the top of the line in the political issues face by the Californian government. Basically the non-profit organizations focused on improving the life quality of the people in the city, especially those who did not have a place to spend their nights. It is a fact that there should be some very efficient approach to eliminate this homelessness problem, the Californian government has taken some steps and brought in a modest change in their policies to attack this homelessness problem very obviously. Their main change in the policy was to provide housing to the poor and the needy people (Hombs, Mary Ellen, and Mitch Snyder, 1982). Despite this action which the government took, there had been a consensus in the year 1980 which reflected the fact that the homelessness in US...
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...The Simon Communities’ Health Snapshot Study (2011) revealed that over 60 per cent of people using our homelessness services report having experiences of mental health difficulties and more than 40 per cent feel they need more support in dealing with their mental health needs. The Government’s mental health policy A Vision for Change (2006) identifies that people who are homeless have a higher level of diagnosed and undiagnosed mental health problems, and that poor mental health contributes to homelessness. Homeless services contribute largely to stabilise and prevent more serious and damaging mental health problems by offering different supports to vulnerable people. Clients that accessed these services do it when their lives are at an exceptionally complex and difficult moment, making the supports that staff in homeless services provide vital to those in need. Principles of Psychologically Informed Environments The concept of Psychologically Informed Environments is a recent one as the term only being created in...
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...backdrop of a picture perfect suburb can perhaps hold true. However, when it is juxtaposed with makeshift homes made of tents and a couple of personal belongings, this promise seems nothing but shallow. There are many homeless individuals, and now a growing number of families, living on our streets, and their future is bleak. This is a terrible reflection of a country that has so great to offer so something must be done to try to solve this issue. In Detroit, through services like transition homes and shelters, Detroit Rescue Missions Ministries, though not perfect, is doing an efficient job dealing with homelessness. To understand the impact Detroit Rescue Missions Ministries (DRMM) has had, it is important to understand homelessness and its causes. There are “643,067 people experiencing homelessness on any given night” in this country and 37% are families (End Homelessness). Homelessness is caused by poverty and the inability to afford housing. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) “calculates that a family with one full-time, minimum-wage worker can't afford a two-bedroom apartment anywhere in the country” (Katel). Poverty is another issue, especially in Detroit. Due to the foreclosure crisis and high unemployment rate “first-time homeless citizens are flocking…to near-capacity shelters” (Oosting). CEO of DRMM, Chad Audi, says there has been a wave of people who would never have thought they would be jobless let alone homeless, coming to the shelter. "What we...
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...Homelessness in America Overview Homelessness in America is a particularly complex problem, vulnerable to changing political realities, demographic shifts, and seismic cultural events such as the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Researchers and policy advocates have debated nearly every facet of the phenomenon, from the number of homeless to the causal factors to solutions for homelessness (Hodges, 2010). Each year, more than 3 million people experience homelessness, including 1.3 million children. According to national studies, even more Americans are at risk of homelessness. The impact of homelessness on families and children is devastating. Millions of low-income American households pay more than 50 percent of their income on rent when estimates say the figure should be no more than 30 percent (Surveys/Studies/Stats, 2012). There are several situations that may lead to homelessness but some of the more common reasons are: a missed paycheck, a health emergency, or an unpaid bill. These will create a crisis, pushing people out of their homes and in to homelessness. Despite diverse causes, almost all forms of homelessness are tied to poverty (Karger & Stoesz, 2010). Although there are policies to govern the issue of homelessness, there is room for reform and amendments in the legislation. Definition The level of significance we ascribe to homelessness very much depends on how the term is defined. In conducting the first census of the homeless in 1933, sociologist...
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...to end Veteran homelessness in five years. All Veterans at risk for homelessness or attempting to exit homelessness must have easy access to programs and services including prevention, housing support, treatment, employment and job training. Veterans Affairs programs and services aim to help homeless Veterans live as self-sufficiently and independently as possible. Veterans Affairs offer outreach, clinical assessment and referral to medical treatment, employment assistance, and supported permanent housing. One-third of adult homeless men and nearly one-quarter of all homeless adults have served in the armed forces. While there is no true measure of the number of homeless veterans, it has been estimated that fewer than 200,000 veterans may be homeless on any given night and that twice as many veterans experience homelessness during a year. Many other veterans are considered at risk because of poverty, lack of support from family and friends and precarious living conditions in overcrowded or substandard housing. Ninety-seven percent of homeless veterans are male and the vast majority are single. About half of all homeless veterans suffer from mental illness and more than two-thirds suffer from alcohol or drug abuse problems. Nearly 40 percent have both psychiatric and substance abuse disorders. The Department of Veterans Affairs is the only federal agency that provides substantial hands-on assistance directly to homeless people. Last year, VA provided health care services to more...
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...established in the City of Philadelphia, the goal of this research is to determine the need for another transitional home and the proper funding to create a program that will be effective in the lives of those we service. What is Transitional Housing? Transitional housing, sometimes called second stage housing, is a residency program that includes support services. Usually provided after crisis or homeless shelter, transitional housing is designed as a bridge to self-sufficiency and permanent housing. Residents usually remain from six months to two years, and are typically required to establish goals to work towards economic stability. Viewed along a continuum of services, transitional housing is placed between emergency and permanent housing. However, the boundaries distinguishing the steps on the continuum are sometimes blurred. For instance, emergency shelter is offered on a short-term basis (typically three months or less), aimed towards assisting residents with housing searches and accessing referrals to other social services. Often however, an "emergency" shelter may allow...
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...Policy by Karen Spuriel Coleman- MBA Abstract Homelessness among youth in the U.S. is disturbingly common, with an estimated annual prevalence of at least 5 percent for those ages 12 to 17. Although homeless youth appear throughout the nation, they are most visible in major cities. Rigorous research on this special population is sparse, making it difficult to capture an accurate and complete picture. Despite its limitations, recent research describes homeless youth as a large and diverse group. Many homeless youth have multiple overlapping problems including medical, substance abuse, and emotional and mental problems. Literature suggests that comprehensive and tailored services are needed that address both the immediate and long-term needs of homeless youth. Where appropriate, services should include assistance with meeting basic needs as perceived by youth as a gateway to other needed services. In addition to serving those already homeless, interventions are needed to prevent homelessness among at-risk youth. Lessons for Practitioners, Policy Makers, and Researchers • As used here, the term “homeless youth” focuses on minors who have experienced literal homelessness on their own—i.e., who have spent at least one night either in a shelter or "on the streets" without adult supervision. On occasion, where warranted by the research being discussed, the term is also used to describe homeless young adults up to age 24. • Homelessness among youth in the U.S. is disturbingly common...
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...five women in British Columbia will experience significant depression in relation to her pregnancy and childbirth (BC Reproductive Mental Health Program, 2006) Perinatal depression – which occurs from the time of conception to one year after childbirth – is a significant health issue. The research literature indicates that ten to twenty percent of women are affected by perinatal depression while BC data indicate that twelve percent of women between nine months prenatal and nine months postnatal receive physician services for depression (BC Reproductive Mental Health Program, 2006). Postpartum depression is used loosely to refer to a collection of emotional symptoms associated with pregnancy and childbirth. It can be conceptualized as a continuum with symptoms worsening over time in some women (Clemmens, Driscoll, & Beck, 2004 as cited in Bowles B, Coleman N, & Jansen L, 2011). There are three levels of severity: baby blues, postpartum depression, and postpartum psychosis. Baby blues are experienced as mood swings, crying spells, sadness, anxiety, or dependency (Bennett & Indman, 2003 as cited in Bowles B, et al, 2011). Other symptoms might include impatience, irritability, restlessness, or loneliness (USDHHS, 2002 as cited in Bowles B, et al 2011). These symptoms are sometimes attributed to rapid physical and hormonal changes. The hormonal fluctuations include decreased thyroid, oestrogen, and progesterone levels (Baker, Mancuso, Montenegro, & Lyons, 2002 as cited...
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...Shelter Partnership, Inc. Survey of Special Needs Housing Projects Funded by the Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles (HACoLA) Prepared for the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission (CDC) June 2009 www.shelterpartnership.org HACoLA-Funded Special Needs Projects Survey Table of Contents PAGE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES i ii iv PART I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Background Purpose Methodology Special Needs Housing Services Standards Findings Program Reporting and Outcomes Conclusions Next Steps 1 2 2 3 3 6 6 7 PART II. BACKGROUND AND BASIC DATA 10 9. Methodology 10. Geographic Distribution 11. Occupancy 12. Target Population 13. Waiting Lists 14. Special Needs Housing Services Standards 10 12 15 18 26 30 PART III. PERMANENT HOUSING 36 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 36 39 49 55 59 61 71 74 76 81 84 Units Reserved for Special Needs Populations Permanent Housing Services Funding Adequacy of Services in Permanent Housing Permanent Housing for Individuals Services Funding Permanent Family Housing Services Funding Permanent Housing Services Staffing Permanent Housing for Individuals Services Staffing Permanent Family Housing Services Staffing Permanent Housing Rental and Operating Subsidies Permanent Housing Operating Reserves Permanent Housing Replacement Reserves Shelter Partnership...
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...The Challenges of Youth Residential Group Homes: Struggling to Survive The Challenges of Youth Residential Group Homes: Struggling to Survive “By the time you finish reading this 15-20 children will have been abused, beaten or raped. In five minutes, 30 more. Within the next hour 360 more. And by tonight, close to 8000+ children will have suffered abuse, 5 of which will die.” (Potter, 2011) That is why residential group homes for at-risk adolescent youth are an important service to the children of our society. If this is true, why are they struggling to survive? Before group homes, children were placed in orphanages or government run institutions. They were also placed in state prisons up until the 1970’s. Thankfully, in 1976 Act No. 148 decisively reorganized the way services for Pennsylvania juveniles were subsidized, and in the process gave local communities both incentives and funds to help keep delinquent youth closer to their homes (Griffin, 2003). Hence, the beginning of community based group homes for at-risk adolescent youth. In our society, it is important for abused children to have a safe, nurturing place to live. Residential youth group homes face many challenging obstacles such state government interference, minimal funding for programs, lack of resources for staff training and the public misconception of the types of children served. A properly run, licensed residential youth group home gives children a sense of security in knowing they...
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...environment My professional role is the director of a faith base substance abuse residential recovery organization in Kansas City, Missouri for homeless women, committed to overcoming their addiction and becoming responsible, productive drug and alcohol free members of the community. Author’s Tsai, Rosenheck, Kasprow & Mcquire (2012) study differentiated between programs that were once religious but are now secular from programs that have always been secular and programs that currently have a religious orientation. As a director for a non-profit organization and private business owner, this organization is to be considered a “service provider” facility, working directly to house, heal, feed, clothe, and educate females experiencing homelessness. Supervise a staff of 10, including an assistant director. B. Describe the population The organization would provide services to 30 single females in a Bible-based residential recovery program. Funded by Federal, State, City and private funders. The funding will be used for staff salary, food, utilities, up keep of the building, etc. Females would range from 25-45 years of age. C. Identify the appropriate code of professional ethics Ethical Standards of Human Service Professionals (2015), Retrieved from http://www.nationalhumanservices.org/ethical-standards-for-hs-professionals 1. Inform consent – Standard 2 Human service professionals obtain informed consent to provide services to clients at the beginning...
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...Introduction: The first Part of this paper will review the literature to define Classification. Briefly Discuss DSM IV and ICD 10 and list the main categories of clinical disorders. The paper will discuss the main dangers of classification identified as labelling and Stigma which have lifelong implications for those diagnosed with a mental illness. The main advantages of classification such as most appropriate treatment and community education Definition of the Classification system used to Diagnosis Mental illness. As Social workers it important to try and grasp the concepts of how classification of mental illness is arrived at and to have a basic knowledge of the types of mental disorders people can be classified as having so we can understand the basis of a diagnosis. According Mendelson (2001) “Classification refers to ordering of objects into groups on the basis of their relationship. The result is a classificatory system. Nomenclature related to agreed names that have been assigned to disease or syndromes. Taxonomy covers principles and methods underlying the practice of classification. Finally, nosology denotes the conceptual system that supports the strategy of classifying.” ( Mendelson 2001 p. 63) Golightley (2004) text states that classification is an important step towards the diagnosis of a mental disorder. Mental disorder is broken down into various classifications that represent groups or syndromes of symptoms. Thus if a series of symptoms fits into...
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...Justice Policy I N S T I T U T E Treatment or Incarceration? Treatment or Incarceration? National and State Findings on the Efficacy and Cost Savings of Drug Treatment Versus Imprisonment by Doug McVay, Vincent Schiraldi, and Jason Ziedenberg January 2004 Justice Policy Institute 4455 Connecticut Avenue NW Suite B-500 Washington, DC 20008 v 202.363.7847 f 202.363.8677 www.justicepolicy.org POLICY REPORT J u s t i c e P o l i c y I n s t i t u t e Table of Contents Introduction: The national and local problem of drug imprisonment 3 Methodology 4 Finding 1: Treatment can be less expensive than a term of imprisonment 5 Finding 2: Treatment can be cost effective 6 Finding 3: Treatment can reduce substance abuse and recidivism while building communities 9 Finding 4: Promising treatment models exist in Maryland and around the country 11 Maryland: Break The Cycle The Correctional Options Program (COP) Drug Courts: Maryland and the National Perspective California’s Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act (SACPA) 11 12 13 14 Conclusion: Drug treatment can be more effective than cycling people in and out of prison 18 Endnotes 20 About the Authors Treatment or Incarceration? was primarily authored by Doug McVay, former research director for Common Sense for Drug Policy, a non-profit dedicated to expanding...
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