The Importance Of Homelessness In The United States

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Introduction
United States has one of the highest homelessness rates among the industrialized nations globally. This necessitates interventions to reduce the prevalence of homelessness. The National Center on Family Homelessness is determined to end homeless across the United States especially in cities that are worst affected such as Baltimore City. Homelessness is caused by economic hardships that render families unable to have access to affordable and safe shelters (American Planning Association, 2003). The other leading causes of homelessness include domestic violence that forces women and children into the streets, physical and emotional challenges rendering individuals lacking the capacity to support themselves. Over 1.6 million children
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Utah, for instance, relied on a team of experts to identify the chronically homeless. Through its policy to provide homes to the homeless, Utah was able to significantly reduce the number of homeless people in the state from 2005 in 2005 to 539 homeless people in 2014 (McCoy, 2015). Significant efforts and investments are still being done in Utah and New York cities to ensure there are zero cases of homelessness among the residents. Through research, it is possible to rebound the families through understanding the social, economic, medical and mental health issues that put them in the streets of Baltimore (American Planning Association, 2003). There is also need to look into ways through which the community could play its role in providing community based shelters and services to the homeless. Through involving the community, it is possible to determine the extent of limited affordable housing, poverty levels in the community and the groups affected by homelessness (American Planning Association, 2003). This then makes it easier for National Center on Family Homelessness to be effective in addressing the issues that lead to homeless and be able to change the lives of the affected families forever. While acknowledging the need to involve the community in homelessness eradication practices, it is all-important to ensure the state, …show more content…
Woman and children are the worst affected by the events of homelessness since they are the most vulnerable groups in the society. The homeless tend to be depressed, withdrawn and are at risk of contracting chronic illnesses that in turn increase the disease burden in the nation. Children are affected since they are unable to access education and appropriate personal development facilities they ought to have access to in order to ensure they are successful in their lives. The National Center on Family Homelessness has made significant efforts in helping the homeless through donations, volunteering and providing social support to the homeless. Foundations and rust funds have also been put in place to ensure the homeless are provided with incentives such as rental subsidies, education, and childcare and provided with emergency housing facilities to enhance their safety. However, there is still much to be done by the government whose support has been decreasing and leaving much of the work to the private and nonprofit organizations. The congress has to be able to assess the situation and the reasons behind homelessness and look for ways to deal with the issues to reduce the levels of homelessness in