Homelessness
Homelessness is a large problem in America. It is defined as, lacking a fixed night time shelter and loss of control over ones environment. On any given night in the United States there are over 800,000 men, women, and children who don't know where they will sleep. There are many causes to this situation, such as, a decline in public assistance, lack of affordable housing, lack of affordable health care, mental illness, domestic violence, and substance abuse, among others. Although the government has assistance programs, it is often not enough to keep a family in a home because of rising rent rates. The problem of homelessness does not only effect those without homes it also effects everyone in the country. Homelessness starts with poverty, when a person, or family, is unable to pay for essential things like food, health care, education, and housing. In 1997, 35.6 million people lived in poverty according to the U.S. Bureau of the Census. 41% of those 35.6 million people are living in extreme poverty, which is living on less than half of the income the government considers poverty level, and the numbers are increasing. Children are found in the extreme poverty level twice as much as any other age group. The increase
Fewer benefits mean if something happens where someone needs medical attention they will have to pay the full price out of their own pocket, money they need for rent or food. More families are moving from welfare to work, which in most cases causes more problems. This seems to be a big mistake because it has shown that the availability of General Assistance greatly reduces homelessness. The declining availability of public assistance is another source of increasing poverty and homelessness. Public assistance to poor single individuals and disabled people. 74% of the new jobs will pay below liveable wage, making it hard for anyone to keep a home. Between 1970 and 1994, the average state's benefits for a family of three fell 47% after adjusting for inflation. The obstacles people off welfare include, loss of benefits, low wages, unstable employment, struggle for medical care, food, and finding any kind of housing. 40% of the households using half their income for housing have two working people in the household. The rises the government has made in minimum wage are not that helpful. A person receiving SSI had to spend 69% of his or her income on housing to rent a one bedroom apartment. in poverty can be attributed to less good employment opportunities and a declining availability in substantial public assistance. This shows that poverty is not only for the unemployed and work does not free you from poverty. In addition to that, housing is hard to find at an affordable cost for families leaving welfare for low wages.
Common topics in this essay:
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Families TNAF,
Homelessness America,
Income SSI,
public assistance,
poverty level,
minimum wage,
income housing,
bedroom apartment,
disabled people,
rent bedroom apartment,
rent bedroom,
jobs people,
fewer benefits,
affordable housing,
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