How Does Homelessness Affect Society
Homelessness is a large problem in America. Approximately 500,000 people on a given night are without "A fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence" (Defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act). Homelessness is an issue that not only impacts the displaced individual, it impacts society as a whole. As a result, it is the responsibility of those who can help, to do so.
Being homeless puts the health of the individual at risk. Those who are homeless are much more susceptible to problems such as sleep deprivation, drug dependency, and cardiorespiratory issues. These are often caused by chronic deprivation of attention from people, such as significant others, and due to the lack of amenities that most people in the United States take for granted such as ready hot showers or plentiful food.
Homelessness takes a toll on an individual not only physically, but mentally as well. Being homeless takes away the sense of belonging that humans need and often causes self-esteem issues and a sense of helplessness. Those who are homeless often suffer depression and anxiety or behavioral problems. This contributes to the higher rates of drug use among homeless people and creates a positive feedback loop in which they use drugs to combat their situation which only worsens it.
In addition, homeless people have a higher risk of …show more content…
For example, tuberculosis, which is highly infectious, is a common disease among homeless people. However, they do not have access to the long-term healthcare and medicine that they need which makes the disease more likely to spread. In addition, it was found that homeless people spend a greater amount of time in jail than other populations. This is largely due to anti-homeless laws that prevent vagrancy and loitering. These laws cost taxpayers approximately fifteen to twenty thousand dollars a year, depending on the crime, per person put in
Being homeless puts the health of the individual at risk. Those who are homeless are much more susceptible to problems such as sleep deprivation, drug dependency, and cardiorespiratory issues. These are often caused by chronic deprivation of attention from people, such as significant others, and due to the lack of amenities that most people in the United States take for granted such as ready hot showers or plentiful food.
Homelessness takes a toll on an individual not only physically, but mentally as well. Being homeless takes away the sense of belonging that humans need and often causes self-esteem issues and a sense of helplessness. Those who are homeless often suffer depression and anxiety or behavioral problems. This contributes to the higher rates of drug use among homeless people and creates a positive feedback loop in which they use drugs to combat their situation which only worsens it.
In addition, homeless people have a higher risk of …show more content…
For example, tuberculosis, which is highly infectious, is a common disease among homeless people. However, they do not have access to the long-term healthcare and medicine that they need which makes the disease more likely to spread. In addition, it was found that homeless people spend a greater amount of time in jail than other populations. This is largely due to anti-homeless laws that prevent vagrancy and loitering. These laws cost taxpayers approximately fifteen to twenty thousand dollars a year, depending on the crime, per person put in