The key point in the article (Parcell, 2013, para.6) states through increased funding into affordable housing, preventative strategies and the adoption of new models of intervention from international contexts, Australia is working towards achieving measurable reductions in homelessness through policy convergence, and drawing lessons from other countries including the UK and USA. Furthermore it is not just about providing a roof but faced ongoing problems with employment, health and financial stability (Farrell, 2012, para.5). One last key point that stands out is that more work must be done to measure, evaluate and improve the impact of programs seeking to end homelessness (Farrell,…
This case study discusses Mayor Paul Schell’s pledge for homeless families in Seattle, Washington. Being that homelessness in Seattle was so bad Mayor Schell knew it was something that had to be done. Therefore, on June 2, 1998 Mayor Schell spoke to the press and pledge that there will be no homeless families with children and homeless single women on the streets of Seattle by December 25, 1998. This paper will analyze the policies, strategies, and programs within his administration and the impact on them by his pledge. It will also discuss the implementation of the program. Lastly, it will discuss the importance of the assessments prior to the implementation.…
Interventions will focus on the community and individual levels for this program. Originally all interventions were going to involve surveillance and screening for health risks. Interviews and time spent at the facility proved that other interventions may be more important and so the focus has changed. Interventions will now include outreach and collaboration in the program to reduce the risk of homelessness and increase housing satisfaction. Education for the clients can include resources that are available, job finding skills, and…
solution for improving the problem of homelessness. Creating a program that not only house the…
According to a recent Economist “Livability Ranking and Overview, August, 2012” study, the city of Vancouver is ranked third most livable city in the world. However, what the report fails to mention is the 33 years of homelessness on Vancouver’s streets. Unfortunately, it has taken 29 years to stabilize and reduce Vancouver’s homeless problem. According to, Mayor Gregor Robertson, “We’ve seen a big drop in street homelessness in Vancouver over the past four years, with a 62 percent decrease since 2008”. To understand Vancouver’s success in reducing homelessness, one must look back at its history and solutions over the years. After 3 decades, the city of Vancouver is at last seeing positive results with its latest solutions to combat homelessness.…
Homelessness is a part of life many are aware of and may even have witnessed or observed an individual experiencing homelessness. Homelessness crosses many social classifications including race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, location, health, social status, and family status (Mizrahi & Davis, 2008). There are homeless individuals in every city across the United States. This paper will focus on the homeless population within the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan.…
The Alliance analyzes policy and develops pragmatic, cost-effective policy solutions. The Alliance works collaboratively with the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to build state and local capacity, leading to stronger programs and policies that help communities achieve their goal of ending homelessness. This group provide data and research to policymakers and elected officials in order to inform policy debates and educate the public and opinion leaders nationwide. There are four key areas that the Alliance works to end all homelessness: family, youth, veteran, and chronic…
“On any given night, there are over 600,000 homeless people in the U.S.” (Quigley, 2014). Most find themselves sleeping in homeless shelters, short-term transitional housing or someplace uninhabitable. While there are many circumstances that can create homelessness, the major causes are high poverty rates, racial disparities, single parenting, domestic violence, lack of affordable housing, mental illness, and other traumatic experiences. In cases where the homeless person is single, lack of affordable housing, poverty, and unemployment were the leading causes. In cases where families are homeless, substance abuse, lack of affordable housing and mental illness were the top cause. In this research paper, I will try to unveil the factors that…
Homeless refers to the people who do not have an adequate and permanent residence. They live and sleep in the streets or in impoverished shelters, under bridges, or on street curbs. Although homelessness, which is a construct of poverty, is an important issue in all countries, it is particularly if interest within the United States because it is wealthier that many other nations; yet, a much higher share of its population has income near or below the poverty line, resulting in millions homeless citizens. The social phenomenon has increased since the 1980s and many state officials and social aid organizations and institutions are addressing the issue head on. This policy analysis will use empirical research to reveal how poverty has a negative effect on communities and inevitably, the thriving of poor oppressed people, leaving millions homeless, when systems fail them. Also, this paper will discuss the current issues that America has with homelessness and also the history of this social woe. Additionally, you will read the social structural sources that are responsible for this social problem such as lack of employment, under education, institutional racism, which are just a few of the factors…
Homelessness is not an error of people, caused by their characteristics or mistakes, but instead, by society 's and governments ' actions or failures to act in the areas of poverty, deinstitutionalization, and the shrinking supply of affordable housing. At the root of homelessness is poverty, and the growing number of poor is leaving many without shelter, or a roof over their heads. Deinstitutionalization was originally seen as an appropriate way to maximize resources, but insufficient reinforcement has led to vagrancy. The rising cost of rent and housing has made it difficult to pay for other basic necessities such as food, leading to homelessness as the only option. However, if prevention and reduction strategies are…
Homelessness is a significant social issue. It is a complex issue that places families and individuals at risk for poor long-term outcomes. A factor that greatly impacts this issue is the lack of affordable housing. Though the Housing First policy encourages the rapid rehousing of clients, this is hard when there is no housing available for them to secure, much less maintain. Though the Housing First policy has made services for the homeless better, it can still be improved upon. The current policies implemented in the homeless sector are focused on the visibly homeless which makes it hard for those who have living accommodations, though substandard or unsuitable, to access services.…
One of the greatest complications currently concerning America is homelessness. The citizens of America must face a world of global conflict, decline in jobs, rising costs for education and an increasing amount of poverty, making it almost impossible for them to earn a living. Children and adults alike are facing life without a warm home and cooked meals. In the past couple of years, the national poverty rate rose to roughly 13.2% of the population. 1 in 7 homeless people are suffering from hunger. In addition, 3.5 million people were forced to sleep in places such as park benches, sidewalks or anywhere that they could possibly inhabit, ignoring the living conditions and the danger surrounding them.…
The problem of homelessness in America is escalating day by day. Homelessness doesn’t discriminate between races or skin color, although some may be a bit more prevalent. Homeless people range from former veterans, to immigrants, to families struggling to find a solid paying job and a stable lifestyle. Also, although most people relate a homeless person to an underdressed, rugged man, the homeless population now leans towards families. There are more and more homeless families on the streets every day. Homeless families can be an effect of discrimination because of race, a result of violence in a family, or an effect of a physical disability or mental illness.…
Homelessness is a growing social injustice in the United States. The degradation that these people face every day is terrifying. It is a crisis that we too often ignore, hoping it will restore itself. That assumption delivers a widespread lack of understanding about the facts that lead to homelessness. Homelessness exists as a problem that we should acknowledge and treat.…
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, (2016), reported the current estimate of the homeless population at 549,928 to Congress November of 2016, after the completion of a point in time survey conducted one night at the end of January 2016 across the nation to include the sheltered and unsheltered homeless population. Of the 549,928 reported, 68% were residing in emergency shelters. The homeless population according to the report is comprised of veterans, families, unaccompanied youth 18-24 years, unaccompanied children under age 18 and single individuals. At some point and time, social workers will encounter this population regardless of their discipline and it is important to understand the issue, the person's perspective, and the needs and resources available to assist (Social Work Policy Institute, 2010). Social workers operate from the position of social change and understanding the many dimensions of homeless will assist social workers in the fight to end homelessness. There are many perspectives and misconceptions on the issue surrounding the homeless population. Society plays in integral role on the issue of homelessness and resources and actions taken to prevent the increasing numbers. As social workers, we have the ability to guide how homeless individuals and families see themselves and how society sees…