Homelessness in America
Homelessness in America
Social Program: Public Housing
Introduction
The issue of homelessness is one that I can relate to all too well. About twenty five years ago I found myself among the homeless. My story is simple, I had no formal education and was working a job making minimum wage. I couldn’t keep up with my rent and other living expenses and was finally evicted from my overpriced apartment. At the time I was on a waiting list for public housing for which there was at least a two year waiting period. The fact that I was single, with no children did not help me either. For a while I lived on the streets and in shelters, too ashamed to approach what family members I had with my problems knowing that they were struggling as well. Eventually I received emergency housing in a single room only establishment (SRO) through public assistance and was eventually able to get back on my feet. I then decided that I would change the quality of my life and returned to school for my first undergraduate degree. However, the truth is even with my higher level of education, I am living one paycheck or one mishap away from being homeless once again.
History on Homelessness
According to Marjorie McIntosh, (1998), homelessness can be traced as far back as the 1500’s England following the peasant’s revolt. However, modern day homelessness began as a result of economic stresses in society and the reduction of the availability of affordable housing in America. The Community Mental Health Act of 1963 was also a pre-disposing factor in setting the stage for homelessness in America as many of the mentally ill were released from state psychiatric hospitals and made up a large percentage the homeless population especially in New York City. The number of homeless grew in the 1980’s as housing and social service cuts increased. Subsequently, public compassion grew and in 1986, five million Americans joined hands across the country to raise
Social Program: Public Housing
Introduction
The issue of homelessness is one that I can relate to all too well. About twenty five years ago I found myself among the homeless. My story is simple, I had no formal education and was working a job making minimum wage. I couldn’t keep up with my rent and other living expenses and was finally evicted from my overpriced apartment. At the time I was on a waiting list for public housing for which there was at least a two year waiting period. The fact that I was single, with no children did not help me either. For a while I lived on the streets and in shelters, too ashamed to approach what family members I had with my problems knowing that they were struggling as well. Eventually I received emergency housing in a single room only establishment (SRO) through public assistance and was eventually able to get back on my feet. I then decided that I would change the quality of my life and returned to school for my first undergraduate degree. However, the truth is even with my higher level of education, I am living one paycheck or one mishap away from being homeless once again.
History on Homelessness
According to Marjorie McIntosh, (1998), homelessness can be traced as far back as the 1500’s England following the peasant’s revolt. However, modern day homelessness began as a result of economic stresses in society and the reduction of the availability of affordable housing in America. The Community Mental Health Act of 1963 was also a pre-disposing factor in setting the stage for homelessness in America as many of the mentally ill were released from state psychiatric hospitals and made up a large percentage the homeless population especially in New York City. The number of homeless grew in the 1980’s as housing and social service cuts increased. Subsequently, public compassion grew and in 1986, five million Americans joined hands across the country to raise
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