...Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness Houston/ Harris County Blue Ribbon Commission to End Chronic Homelessness Houston/Harris County May 2006 Table of Contents COMPONENTS OF THE 10 YEAR PLAN 1. Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness……………………………………Tab 1 a. Context b. Synthesis of Research Findings c. Strategic Plan Goals d. Summary of Year 1 Action Steps e. Funding Requirements f. Summary of Data Report Findings g. Models used to Develop Plan 2. Summary of System Management Function…………………………………Tab 2 3. Enumeration and Needs Assessment………………………………………...Tab 3 a. Enumeration b. Community Profile c. Profiles of Specific Sub-Populations d. Conclusions e. Recommendations 4. Gaps Analysis……………………...………………………………………...…..Tab 4 5. Rapid Re-housing Demonstration Report………………………………….....Tab 5 a. Pierce Intervention Evaluation 6. Open Doors Report………………………………………………………………Tab 6 a. Rapid Assessment of Needs of Hurricane Evacuees Blue Ribbon Commission to End Chronic Homelessness Anna Babin United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast David Benson Harris County Commissioners Court David S Buck, MD, MPH Department of Family & Community Medicine Baylor College of Medicine James Calaway Center for Houston’s Future Robert Eury Central Houston, Inc. The Most Reverend Bishop Fiorenza The Diocese of Galveston – Houston Skip Kasdorf Greater Houston Partnership Richard Lapin City of Houston Anna Leal Houston Endowment, Inc. The Honorable Pat Lykos Harris County Anthony Love Coalition for the...
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...homeless population in the United States is at a staggering high, and many individuals are suffering because many lack employment/financial resources, housing resources, support from family and friends, and others negligence; such as natural disasters or fires. Homeless individuals may have no other choice than to live on the streets, trains, and alley ways to name a few places where homeless people seek shelter. The history of homelessness, social problems, demographics, common clinical issues, and intervention/future interventions will be explored to determinate how homelessness is caused and how it can diminish with time. Homelessness has been around for some time and is increasing with time. Homelessness was noticed soon after the Great Depression, which caused many people to lose his or hers home. “During the Great Depression in the 1930, many families were no longer able to afford their homes and It is thought that over two million people were homeless at this time and suffered severely from hunger and extreme poverty” (American History Of Homelessness, 2011). The Great Depression was an era of life where the stock market crashed and many where out of jobs and many lost their home. “The Great Depression began in October 1929, which sent Wall Street into a panic and wiped out millions of investors. Consumer spending and investment dropped, causing steep declines in industrial output and rising levels of unemployment” (The Great Depression, 2013). When the Great Depression occurred...
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...homeless population in the United States is at a staggering high, and many individuals are suffering because many lack employment/financial resources, housing resources, support from family and friends, and others negligence; such as natural disasters or fires. Homeless individuals may have no other choice than to live on the streets, trains, and alley ways to name a few places where homeless people seek shelter. The history of homelessness, social problems, demographics, common clinical issues, and intervention/future interventions will be explored to determinate how homelessness is caused and how it can diminish with time. Homelessness has been around for some time and is increasing with time. Homelessness was noticed soon after the Great Depression, which caused many people to lose his or hers home. “During the Great Depression in the 1930, many families were no longer able to afford their homes and It is thought that over two million people were homeless at this time and suffered severely from hunger and extreme poverty” (American History Of Homelessness, 2011). The Great Depression was an era of life where the stock market crashed and many where out of jobs and many lost their home. “The Great Depression began in October 1929, which sent Wall Street into a panic and wiped out millions of investors. Consumer spending and investment dropped, causing steep declines in industrial output and rising levels of unemployment” (The Great Depression, 2013). When the Great Depression occurred...
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...who are so impoverished that they do not even have a place to call home. While homelessness has always existed in America, never before has this nation seen such a high percentage of its youth population living on the streets. Even though Young people often become homeless due to family conflict and substance abuse, youth is at a higher risk for homelessness than adults ("Starry Children At Heart Ministries, Inc.", 2015). In order to reduce the number of homeless youth, society needs to address the high rates of substance abuse, mental illness, and sexual trauma that is experienced by today's young adults. Substance abuse of alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs are prevalent amongst homeless youth. Many, young adolescent young people who became or on the verge of becoming homeless, were brought up in households where drug and alcohol were being used on a regular basis by parents or guardians. Domestic violence and some form of abuse within the home was present. Therefore, prompted the youthful pre-adult youth, encountering a horrible and traumatic adolescence. Subsequently; a high rate is brought up in foster homes, mental organizations, or detained before the age of 16. Many use drugs or alcohol as an expedient to self-medicate so they can deal with the harsh reality of homelessness, not to mention the experiences and abuse they face living on the streets. ("Facts about Youth Homelessness", n.d.). Under these circumstances, self-medicating helps them...
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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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...social services” (Donohoe, 2004). Although it is everyone’s right to have access to those necessities, it is not always the case for many, who for whatever reasons, have no means to afford them. Here in the United States, the current unemployment situation as well as record foreclosures has forced many people to become homeless. “The term homelessness refers to the condition of individuals without a regular dwelling and that term is used to describe people who do not have a home and whom sleep on the street but it is also commonly used to refer to individuals whose primary night-time residence is a homeless shelter, a warming center or another ad hoc type of housing” (NPACH, 2011). The homeless face many problems in day-to-day living and this paper will focus on this group as a vulnerable population will discuss the history of the homeless, the nature of homelessness as a social problem, what issues they experience, their demographic, their common clinical issues, intervention strategies used for this particular group, and finally, what interventions are planned for the future. History of the Homeless Population For years, homelessness has been an ongoing problem in countries around the world, including developed countries like the United States of America. Although many community programs have existed for years, the very first known rescue mission for the homeless was established in 1872 in New York City (NPACH, 2011). By the end of the Civil War, thousands of people were...
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...Researchers have shown that a history of childhood adversity has been shown to increase the likelihood of one experiencing homelessness in adulthood. Through different studies, several key life events were commonly found in the history of homeless young adults. A history of sexual and or physical abuse, neglect, poor relationships with caregivers or parents and out of home placement were all reoccurring themes among the homeless population. With over 3.5 million Americans in any given year experience homelessness, it’s imperative to analyze and understand the causes of homelessness to ensure the services provided to them are effective. Additionally, having an understanding on the cause of homelessness can assist researchers...
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...Research, Intervention, and 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...
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...Why is homelessness an issue in a country as wealthy as the United States? When we as a country send billions overseas to other countries. We have over one million homeless people in our own country. Being a person that recently has had a debilitating physical issues that has left me without income for two years I have faced this issue. Homelessness effects everyone. According to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness US government spent a little over 4 billion dollars in 2012 on programs for medical treatment, housing grants, emergency housing, and even hotel vouchers for mothers that where victims of domestic violence. Here is a breakdown where some of that money went “HUD received 108 million dollars in 2012 for rental assistance, long-term housing, and rehabilitation programs that lead to permanent housing. The emergency solutions grant program was given 1.901 billion dollars for rapid rehousing and homelessness prevention programs”. So I found proof that our government is spending sufficient amounts of money on this problem. Still more intervention, prevention, and treatment need to be directed in the right areas to irradiate this problem. According to our fact sheet the Current statistics on the prevalence and characteristics of people expiring homelessness in the United States over fifty percent of the people who have experienced homelessness have a substance abuse problem or mental health disorder (2011). So are we properly screening the homeless at the...
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...Americans have heard the term hobo, which is defined as a vagrant or transient among other definitions. The term is well known because a large number of Americans have been named such who lived on the streets, or “skid rows” of this country. Homeless individuals have existed throughout history; however, more recently, a larger number and many categories of homeless individuals occur. In this paper the subject to examine is the history of homeless persons in America, the nature of the social problems and issues experienced by the homeless, demography of the homeless, common clinical issues and intervention strategies, and a discussion of future interventions. Vulnerable Populations Homeless Persons Homelessness has been a phenomenon in America beginning in the late 1700s according to author Kenneth Kusmer. “Kusmer begins with an examination of homelessness from the late seventeenth century through the early nineteenth century. Although the number of homeless fluctuated somewhat in this period (rising in the late eighteenth century and in the 1820s), concern about the homeless was not widespread. The homeless were also largely an urban phenomenon; rural residents rarely encountered homeless persons. The Civil War introduced soldiers to railroad travel and to foraging, and after the war, some veterans continued to ride the rails and lead a homeless existence. However, it was during the depression of the 1870s that the numbers of homeless rose substantially...
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...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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...the rest were found in unsheltered locations” (Henry, Cortes and Shivji). American author John Grisham wrote “Somewhere for Everyone” a story that depicts that homelessness is more of an inconvenience rather than exploring the underlying issue on how to eradicate the subject on hand. The same can be said about abandoned children. Jessica Valenti clearly explains in “Not Wanting Kids is Entirely...
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...To often we are approached while waiting at a traffic light by some unfortunate homeless person walking from car to car in hopes of a quarter or if lucky, a dollar. Most roll their windows up and lock the car doors, turn their heads and ignore the fact this person is asking for help. The homeless population in America is growing. There are four main areas that may cause homelessness; poor families unable to afford rent, substance abusers, deinstitutionalized mental patients and runaways (Rogers, 1990). The current regulations and standards are working to improve homelessness, but surely, as the homeless situation continues to grow these legislative acts will need new acts to be introduced to meet the needs of this population. Affordable housing is becoming a desperate need for this population. According to the United States Census of 2010, about 34% of our population is homeless ("United States Censes 2010", 2011). This is a staggering number. Although some of the people are substance abusers or mentally ill, the larger part of this population is homeless because of low income jobs, unemployment, and the lack of affordable housing. These are families with children to feed and may suddenly find themselves in the street, with nothing. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in which the United States is signatory, states housing, is a fundamental human right (Head, n.d.). Many politicians, unfortunately, look at the homeless person as property value or public image...
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...Homeless Persons Heather Gustafson Axia College of University of Phoenix Homeless Persons A problem that continues to grow in the United States is Homeless people. Millions of people are homeless due to a variety of circumstances and the number still grows daily. History In the United States, de-institutionalization of the mentally ill -- unaccompanied by promised outpatient psychiatric and social services -- led to a large increase in the homeless, mentally ill population in the late 1970s. The number of homeless grew in the 1980s, as housing and social service cuts increased. This was in part a consequence of the transfer of federal dollars to a huge military buildup (including the spectacularly wasteful and unsuccessful "Star Wars" strategic missile defense initiative) and consequent large budget deficits. Fortunately, public compassion soared, and in 1986, 5 million Americans joined hands across the country to raise money for homeless programs (May 25, 1986 Hands Across America). In 1987, the McKinney Act authorized millions of dollars for housing and hunger relief (Donahue, 2007). Nature and Issues of Social Problems Homeless and poverty go together. People are unable to pay for food, clothing, shelter, child care, health care, and education. Choices have to be made to have what they need for their daily life so they have to put other things behind to cover necessities. Domestic violence leads people to become homeless because they are...
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...Homelessness There is an urgency to save the homeless in this country, but it seems less altruistic than it in fact is. The urgency is related to an out of sight out of mind philosophy. People who live in residences paid for with their own income have many misconceptions about the homeless: For example their social nature, beliefs, cause of despair, and what to do to fix the broken system of feeding and sheltering those in need. People cannot solely want to cure homelessness because they do not want to see it, or panhandlers bother them, it has to come from an unselfish place. It is the responsibility of human service agencies to educate the public, and find ways to empower the homeless so they do not have to suffer. A reform in intervention is necessary; with so many homeless adults and teens having mental illnesses, a way to return them to a societal reality needs to be addressed. History of Homelessness in the United States Animals, including humans, have always sought to find shelter. The basic needs for survival include food, water, air, and shelter. These four necessities are mentioned in every philosopher’s or psychologist ideologies of what humans need for survival. Even Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has safety as one of the most basic needs. When someone loses or has never had a permanent residence they are considered homeless. Cars, friends’ couches, shelters, and abandoned warehouses are not considered homes. In the middle-ages the homeless were a way to make...
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