The present report is a preliminary research report into the problem of homelessness. An in-depth look at the problem of homelessness is detailed with precise statistics along with an exposition of the social implications of this problem. Root causes are identified and discussed and existing solutions looked at. Finally, a proposed solution is offered with recommendations to effectively deal with the problem of homelessness. Baltimore, also known as "Charm City" holds little allure for the roughly 3,400 (On January 22, 2009, there were 3,419 homeless individuals in Baltimore City according to the National Coalition for the Homeless) or so who find themselves with no roof or bed, on any given night. The city once boasted itself as a major industrial and economically prosperous town and hosted diverse companies involved in steel processing, shipping, auto manufacturing, and transportation. Unfortunately, deindustrialization eventually led to the loss of tens of thousands of low-skill, high-wage jobs.
[...] For example, a 1999 report by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, claimed that many cities are continuing to enact and enforce restrictions on homeless people's use of public spaces. This act is arguably in violation of many international and domestic laws which pertain to human and citizen rights. Additionally, homeless children are often denied equal opportunity to education due to barriers such as transportation, residency requirements, and difficulties obtaining needed documentation. Social Implications: What many do not realize is that homeless people not only suffer from the direct consequences of lacking shelter such as enduring harsh weather, but they are also the targets of many hate crimes and pranks. [...]
[...] These statistics, however, may mislead one when trying to find a comprehensive solution to the problem of homelessness because they run the risk of falsely categorizing “homeless people” as marginalized individuals with stereotypical personal characteristics which will cause them to remain homeless indefinitely. Ergo, this may lead to the incorrect conclusion that the homeless are unreachable, isolated, and untreatable. However, Dr. Dennis Culhane of the University of Pennsylvania in the 1990's employed a "hospital model" of length of stay in shelter beds to reveal that the population is made up of three distinct groups of shelter users (Culhane and Kuhn 1998). [...]
[...] It is necessary for any given community dealing with a homelessness problem to first exhibit some rudimentary level of compassion and help to rehabilitate or soften the traumatic ordeal of homelessness. During cold weather (below 50 degrees) unsheltered individuals have been quoted do not sleep. I hang out the whole night.” This has obvious social implications for public safety; namely, at night more crimes are likely to happen if someone is lacking money or housing. Root Causes: Many people who lack a stable, permanent residence have few shelter options or places to go to for help. [...]
[...] The two biggest factors that lead to homelessness are poverty/unemployment and a lack of affordable housing. For people considered in the "at risk" group a number of distal factors have been identified as precipitating episodes of homelessness. These include leaving the parental home after arguments (young homeless people), relationship breakdowns, widowhood, discharge from the armed forces, leaving care, leaving prison, and a sharp deterioration in mental health or an increase in alcohol or drug misuse (Fitzpatrick et al. 2000). According to Mayor Sheila Dixon, there appears to be four factors primarily responsible for homelessness: lack of affordable housing, lack of affordable health care, low incomes, and lack of comprehensive social services. [...]
[...] Proposed Solution / Recommendations: Providing a comprehensive service center addresses many of the factors primarily responsible for homelessness, and enables individuals to achieve self sufficiency. The coordination of services is a critical component for achieving the goal of preventing and ending homelessness. The problem of homelessness at a societal level is almost impossible to effectively deal with considering the plethora of social consequences and the complexities of addressing each and every problem. These overarching societal problems can be considered effects of homelessness and include such things as do we increase jobs” and “where do we find adequate housing”, etc. [...]
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