Homelessness Problem Analysis

Modern day Chicago depicts hundreds of people sleeping on benches, empty parking lots, and filled emergency rooms. Yet, this is a crisis that seemingly has no solution, especially in cities such as Los Angeles, New York, or the barren streets of Chicago, Illinois. Key issues in America are leading to the under looked problem of homelessness. Since Great Depression, the United States has recognized the constant presence of homelessness without a long-term solution. These people and families are pushed under the rug of our society, into the corners of cities, and out of sight from the government. However, with full dedication from local governments, the problem has a simple solution: The United States ought to establish nation-wide programs
The National Institute on Drug Abuse recognizes that 17% of deaths among the homeless are drug related as of 2013 (NIDA). Yet those numbers are still grey because there’s no way for our governments to make broader estimates on drug abuse other than deaths. Alcoholism is also at a high, yet both of these instances of substance abuse have been deemed hopeless because not every participant is willing seek treatment or can afford it. While homelessness may not seem like a direct result of the war on drugs, other countries beg to differ. The Open Society Foundations, an organization set to treat social health issues, reported that Portugal has successfully decreased drug use and homeless through decriminalization. When the new scheme came into force in 2001, risk and harm reduction activity became systemic. “In addition to risk and harm reduction, there are also specific units at the IDT for prevention, treatment, and social re-integration. teams of social workers who work in the streets and in centers that provide methadone for people dependent on heroin and night shelters for homeless drug users” (Open Societies Foundation). Countries like Portugal who have decriminalized drug use and funded resources to aid have seen a dramatic reduction in not only homelessness, but in deaths and spread of disease. This model is a tool that the United
In December 2016, the NYC Department of Homeless Services reported that 62,674 people were staying in New York City Homeless Shelters every night (Coalition for the Homeless). Cities like this have seen an astronomical increase in homelessness without a recession. That leads experts to believe it’s once again attributed to rising heroin usage and higher arrests. This inherently connects back to the idea that the United States ought to focus its attention on not only homelessness, but the symptoms attributed. Cities like New York City that have a lack of beds and donations are going to find themselves struggling; the simplest solution is to allocate additional funding towards the basic needs of the people rather than punishing them. Portland Newspaper, The Oregonian, in 2015 interviewed citizens that say that rather than food, they lack basic hygiene products and clothing, all which the public doesn’t donate enough of (The Oregonian). This is a prime example on how cities must step in considering that rescue missions, churches, and shelters are doing all they can, as well as addressing the public on how they can support the cause. However, many of times people are going to be left out regardless of how many supplies the city can provide, and these people often find themselves in