...Eng. 102 Should Homelessness be Considered a Crime in The Community? Homelessness affects every community. It can happen to anyone no matter what your status, race, gender, or age. It happens for various reasons. For instance, loss of a job, poor physical or mental health, breakdown in family life, domestic violence, drug abuse, etc. When we talk about the homeless, it is important to remember that often times the homeless are being criminalized for being homeless, but is it justifiable to arrest a person for being homeless? Is arresting homeless people really going to benefit the community as well as the homeless? In an article written by Michael Maskin, a senior at Tufts University, titled “No Safe Place: How cities are making it illegal to be homeless,” Maskin explains the case of Jerome Murdough, a 56 year old veteran who was homeless and arrested for seeking a safe place to sleep. Instead of a safe place to sleep, he died in Riker’s Island prison for not having $2,500 to post bail. “Instead of receiving needed assistance, Murdough was treated like a criminal, and ultimately lost his life by trying to protect it” (Maskin 2). This is a saddening story, but it is often very common. Tickets that will not get paid and time in jail will not change the fact that someone is homeless, so it just becomes one more issues added to the many that they deal with. Another testimony Maskin offers in his article is the story of Sandy a homeless...
Words: 1106 - Pages: 5
...DEVELOPMENT IN HUMAN SERVICES April 19, 2015 Introduction: Homelessness has become a national issue. “At a point in time in January 2012, 633,782 people were experiencing homelessness. The national rate of homelessness was 20 homeless people per 10,000 people in the general population. The rate for Veterans was 29 homeless Veterans per 10,000 Veterans in the general population” (N.A.E.H, 2013). Due to the lack of affordable housing has resulted in vast and growing homelessness among individuals and families. Homelessness is not only a type of poverty but also a severe state of residential instability. Homelessness is increased by behavioral problems, alteration of mental health rule, differences in health and health care, racial disparities, substance abuse, domestic violence, variation in affordable housing, and lack of social support. Thesis Statement: The deficiency of affordable housing has resulted in widespread homelessness and has become a national problem The" Mission for the National Homeless" has decided to combat homelessness by providing food, shelter and other benefits and services to the homeless people. We will focus on providing housing, food distribution to fight hunger, educational, vocational and other services. We intend to fund our programs through private donations as well as federal and state funding. Problem: “Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines homelessness as those individuals whose main nighttime residence is in private...
Words: 1888 - Pages: 8
...We know that hunger and homelessness is spreading rapidly in the United States. In the resent years, the national poverty rose to the level of 13.2 percent of the population. And nearly 3.5 million people were compelled to sleep in the parks, under bridges, in shelters and cars. In comparison to the high cost of living, low- wages jobs, and high unemployment rates are considered to be the main reason behind the problem for countless Americans to make a choice between food, housing, and other expenses. If the society does not treat this situation as a notional priority and address those in a systematic way the problem will keep continuing with the future generation as well (Alayne Potter, 2011). People Homeless: The United States consists of more than 3.5 million people from all walks of life experiencing the homelessness every year. And 35 percent of homeless populations are families with children, one of the fastest growing sectors of the homeless population. The remaining homeless population consist 23 percent of retired U.S. military people, 25 percent of children under the age of 18, 30 percent of experienced domestic violence, and 20 to 25 percent of people suffering from mental illness. There are various reasons why people become homeless. Economic problem can be considered as one of the major reason for homelessness and even the social and political factors have affected the homeless people (Alayne Potter, 2011). Causes of Homelessness: As we know there are...
Words: 893 - Pages: 4
...YOUTH HOMELESSNESS IN CALIFORNIA Name: Class: Date: Executive summary The United States will endure being an advanced country if the numbers of people holding cardboard on the street do not lessen. 1 out of 7 people in U.S suffer from hunger and are forced to sleep in parks, under bridges, in shelters or cars. Every year, the homeless population grows in the United States. Persons become homeless for many reasons. Because they are destitute, they have been struggling in every way that human likely can have. To get back on their feet, they need help in every way. The homeless population is increasing drastically in society. People who are more fortunate than others should put social status aside and take an action to help homeless people to get back on their feet. Homelessness is a state where an individual or a family does not have a home to live. Along with that, the person is deprived of the legal, and the social dimensions are 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. It led to a burst in the studies and the increasing stories related to the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of July 1987. In this act, there was an interference allowed off 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...
Words: 3950 - Pages: 16
...hotels, world renowned restaurants and all the best that Southern California and the West Coast has to offer, all in one place. For many residents and tourist, the sporadic presence of the more than 8,600 homeless strewn about the sidewalks, store fronts, parks, free-way on-ramps, and underpasses provide a visual atmosphere of discomfort and the perception that San Diego does not have adequate housing for all of its residents. (Regional Task Force on the Homeless [RTFHSD], 2016). In and around San Diego there are an excessive amount of single-level paved parking lots which detract from the appearance of a purposefully...
Words: 1434 - Pages: 6
...Many Americans live everyday with a risk of being homeless or becoming homeless, America has the highest homelessness rates in the world and the biggest problems are not enough jobs opportunities and outsourcing, not enough affordable housing, and mental illness. PROBLEM 1 Homelessness can be directly related to a shortage of jobs in America due to outsourcing and businesses being shut down. Although most of the population has jobs there is a small percentage that don’t and in that percentage lays the homeless percentage. Long-term unemployed individuals rates have not changed since June of...
Words: 1608 - Pages: 7
...measurement is taken on a single night or is inferred to a given year. In 2009, .Los Angeles, California was the state in the United States with the highest recorded percentage of homeless people making it a place with relatively large vulnerable populations http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/526/homeless-facts.html. These homeless people ranged from all ages from very young children to the elderly. In the period of one year, it was recorded that Los Angeles records had approximately 254,000 homeless people. When the statistics are looked at per night, they show that 82,000 people are homeless every night. Today I will give a description of the potential financial impact on this vulnerable population, the impact of changes among this population as it relates to demographics and socioeconomic status, and the impact the homeless has on the health care delivery system in the United States. I will also analyze the issues and challenges of this homeless population, offer some potential solutions to address the needs of this population and evaluate the overall risk to the U.S health care system if their rates continue to rise over 2-3% over the next 5 years as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 is enacted. The recession will force 1.5 million more people into homelessness over the next two years, according to estimates by The National Alliance to End Homelessness. In a 2008 report, the U.S. Conference of Mayors cited a major increase in the number of...
Words: 311 - Pages: 2
...Marlou Melendez Psychology 66 Prof. Sheryl Eden 4 November 2014 Housing The Homeless Based on the US Department of Housing and Urban Development there are about 578,424 homeless people — half of them concentrated in just five states: California, New York, Florida, Texas, and Massachusetts, which accounts for 4 percent of the nation’s homeless. Since 2007, the number of homeless in the United States has declined 11 percent. Housing First is an approach that offers permanent, affordable housing as quickly as possible for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. And there were debates regarding this program, "Is Housing First the best approach to ending homelessness?" There are two different views concerning this issue. Nan Roman the President and CEO of National Alliance To End Homelessness, stated on her argument that Housing First (based on research) is the most effective and least costly way to end homelessness for a majority of people. Nan Roman also stated on her argument that this strategy can help people who experience homelessness to quickly obtain housing supported with rentals assistance and services. There were premises that Housing First is based: that homelessness is traumatic and damaging, and that all people benefit from the stability of a home. Based on Nan Roman's argument, The Centers for Disease control and Prevention found that housing is essential to good health and that children do better at school when they have permanent place to stay. Before...
Words: 824 - Pages: 4
...Low income and poverty also contribute to homelessness. Having low income can be a result of a criminal record, unreliable transportation, low or no education, and health matters. Besides these factors, the minimum wage in California is very low. The minimum wage in California is ten dollars, although as a state we are currently working with Congress to increase the wage to fifteen dollars an hour. However, because Californians suffer from low wages, we are unable to buy affordable housing, as discussed previously. Low income families must put all their income toward the necessities needed to survive, such as a home and food. Many low income families decide to opt out on health care and other necessities because it is too expensive for them...
Words: 298 - Pages: 2
...to live a normal life requires having a home to live in. Yet people with no home and unable to afford anything can be found in all countries. The main reason is the individual cannot get the housing loans or welfare accessible to others. The causes of homelessness can be caused by family altercations or tragedy (or prison), or even a natural disaster. The larger proportions of homeless parents who are separated from their children in the US and the larger number of families in the homeless population are both likely because of the US social policy. Higher levels of inequality and lower levels of social benefits are associated with higher rates of homelessness. The Stewart McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 describes a homeless person as any place not meant for regular sleeping accommodation by humans. In 2005, an estimated 744,313 men, women, and children were homeless in the United States (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2007). Adults that are homeless are poor and have high rates and they don’t qualify for health care. There are also a large number of former veterans who become homeless. It is estimated that between 23 percent and 40 percent of homeless adults are veterans (National Alliance to End Homelessness). Poverty is related with higher risk...
Words: 1398 - Pages: 6
...the lack of demand of work, people going homeless is rapidly becoming a problem. Also there are many other reasons why people are homeless, such as family breakdown or a natural disaster. In earlier times homeless people were typically blamed for their own circumstances or they were considered to be lazy, a drunk, or a criminal. During the Great Depression, beliefs about the homeless were changed. During the depression people were faced with hard times. Millions of people lost their jobs and homes, and those who still had a job struggled just to make ends meet. In the 1960s, mentally ill patients being discharged by the masses, also known as deinstitutionalization, were sent out to live on the street with little to no assistance. Homelessness has no demographic boundaries. People of all ages, gender, race, and educational background can become homeless. Single males make up the highest percentage of homeless people at 51%. Sadly, 39% of homeless people are children under the age of 18. The majority of these are children with their families at 33%. African-Americans make up 49%...
Words: 994 - Pages: 4
...Fontana is a city in the Inland Empire (Southern California) with a population of 200,003 people. In the 1990’s one of the city’s biggest problems was homelessness. Businesses would constantly complain to police about the homeless committing crimes in and around the area. It soon became an epidemic and it became a problem for all of the citizens. Police officers were constantly receiving calls that involved crimes related to homeless people. The police officers’ way of handling the situation would only relocate the homeless to another area but shortly after they would receive calls from that certain area complaining about the same homeless people. It was an ongoing cycle and something different had to be done. They were in need of a permanent...
Words: 1148 - Pages: 5
...intended to have, and shall have the same validity as my handwritten signature. Student's signature (name typed here is equivalent to a signature): Christopher Holland Introduction The purpose of this paper is to explore the homeless population in the United States while thinking critically. The research for this paper shall detail the history of homeless from its first noticeable conception. The paper will examine the time line of homelessness stating contributing factors as well as detailing the homeless struggle. This paper shall research the nature of the social problems or issues experienced by homeless people meanwhile showing the stereotyping and discrimination of homeless people. This paper will explore the different demographic groups along with common clinical issues and intervention strategies. After the research has explored the many aspects of homelessness then this paper will detail the future intervention to alleviate the the struggle of homelessness. The History of Homelessness The history of homelessness teaches us the epidemic dating back as far as the Middle Ages where most emphasis was put...
Words: 2052 - Pages: 9
...Before researching this topic I was aware how big of an issue and how big the population of homeless people was in our country but I wasn’t fully aware how close to home to issue was. Florida is home to the third greatest population of homeless people in America behind New York and California. Over 6% of Florida’s population is homeless at a whopping 47,862. Homelessness affects our society in many ways, one being tax dollars. Tax dollars are used to support many shelters, hospital stays, and incarcerations of the homeless. According to Lorena Cassady, “When homeless people are admitted to a hospital, their stay is about four days longer than average, which adds up to an additional cost to the public of about $2,400 per incident.” Homelessness in very prominent in the St. Petersburg/Pinellas County area. In Pinellas County alone there are 5,887 individuals living homeless or unsheltered (out of cars, or on the streets). This statistic is not including people living doubled up with families or at an extended stay facility. 3,222 of these unsheltered homeless are adults while the rest are children. I decided to do my research on two homeless organizations that I feel have a positive message and truly care for the people; Woman’s Residence and Pinellas Hope. The Woman’s Residence is located in St. Petersburg. The Woman’s Residence provides a safe location for single homeless women to rebuild themselves, they may stay from a month up to a year. Individuals come to the Women's Residence...
Words: 477 - Pages: 2
...The Empathy Project: The Homeless Introduction We see it every day yet it is so easy for us to ignore it: homelessness. It is more common and a larger problem than we realize but we have accepted it into our society and that it is not easily preventable. Certain people under difficult financial circumstances can easily fall below the poverty level with our highly competitive capitalistic system. A social stigma, as defined by Dalton Conley, author of You May Ask Yourself: An Introduction to Thinking Like a Sociologist, is “a negative social label that not only changes others’ behavior toward a person but also alters that person’s own self-concept and social identity” (Dalton 211). Homeless stigmas are so overtly present in our society that we overlook the actual problem and possible solution. It has been ingrained into our society that wealth defines “good” and poverty defines “bad.” Characteristics associated with this understanding of “bad” include deviance, laziness, and lack of capability. Our system has shaped us to believe that everyone has an equal chance at wealth and success, ignoring the underlying cases of the struggling individuals in our society born into their socioeconomic status that prevents them from this “American” opportunity. We have these preconceived notions of homeless people that have been proven to be untrue yet we only pay attention to the fewer examples that support it and pre-judge based on these mere instances. The situation of being homeless...
Words: 2862 - Pages: 12
