Research Essay Sample: Effects of Chronic Homelessness in Our Society

The current economic problems in the modern society has led to various problems among them being the increasing numbers of homelessness in our society. There is, therefore, a need for population to ensure that they develop interest on the growing menace and help in tackling effects of the same with a view of improving living conditions of the population. According to the Housing and Urban Development (HUD), chronic homelessness in our society involves two parties of people and these are (1) unaccompanied homes individuals that have some kinds of disability and have been homeless for more than one year and (2) an unaccompanied homeless individual that has a disability condition that goes through four stages of development. Examining the issue of chronic homelessness helps in formulation identifying ways through which our society can engage in the improvement of living conditions of the society and tackle the problem.

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Homelessness is not a new phenomenon, and unfortunately there is no one single factor causing this issue to occur. Throughout history, many external situations have been the source of displacement from ones living situation. Where there has been political strife, famine, disease, or an occurrence of a natural disaster, there has been a corresponding presence of homeless individuals. The homeless are individuals who do not have the benefit of sustainable shelter. Their age ranges vary from an elderly individual to that of a very young child. Their situations in life are all unique, but they each have a common issue; they need a permanent housing solution. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban development estimated that more than 600, 000 people are homeless on a nightly basis. It is also estimated that there are 2.3 to 3.5 million Americans who will experience homelessness in this country in any given year (Baker et al. 7). While we are all aware of this being a major issue in our society, the larger issue we have is not the actual homeless themselves, it is the effects that the homeless experience from our society generally.

Large segments of the general public agree with the negative stereotypes concerning our homeless population (Phillips 11). For many decades, it was believed that it would not be wise to let those who were mentally ill or who have substance abuse issues into subsidized housing as they were consider too much of a liability. Officials warned that the sufferers would would disrupt the community only to wind up back in shelters (Harris 4). Chronic mental health is one of the leading causes of homelessness in the United States. One-third of those who suffer mental health issues go without proper treatment (Martin 71). A recent 2016 report done in the City of Houston submitted that while a large percentage of the population does include those with mental health problems and those of substance abuse issues, the government has put less focus on the challenge of homelessness with the view of tackling the issue (Lipmann 273).

The current economic crisis in the United States has taken its toll. It has led to layoffs, pay reductions, bankruptcies filed, and increased the foreclosure rate of many homes America. Contrary to the skid row stereotype associated with the word homelessness, many of the newly minted homeless population includes families with children, the elderly, and young single people (Martin 73). In New York City alone, there are an estimated 40,000 homeless children who spend the night in one of the many homeless shelters available, these shelters often have limited to no facilities for storing or preparing food. This has restricted the availability to heathy food for these children and their families. Studies have shown that the nutritional intake among these children have led to additional health problems in this population proving the need to tackle the issue effectively.

The recent economic downturn and associated recession is to blame for the increasing cases of homelessness as it forces many people to sacrifice other needs among them being food, medicine, clothing and other necessities to pay for their accommodation. This severely affects our elderly population; whose medication intake often exceeds that of younger individuals. Over the last twenty years, the percentage of homeless adults and senior citizens has drastically increased. In 2003 nearly one-third of homeless adults were over the age of fifty, with those numbers continuing to climb. Compared to homeless individuals younger than themselves, the elderly population has increased rate of physical and mental hardships (Brown et al. 128). They are more susceptible to chronic illnesses and geriatric conditions, including high blood pressure, and arthritis. They are less able to defend themselves due to the frailty that comes with age. They as less likely to having the coping skills to deal with the dangerous situations they may face in shelters or living on the street. Peterson proves that the homeless are violent and it is the elderly homes that suffer the greatest of the consequences in the population (Peterson 8)

Throughout U.S. History veterans have represented a portion of our homeless population. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs identified 21,021 homeless Veterans from Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and New Dawn. That number increased when they added allied V60 codes to 31,260. Our veterans present a higher risk for homelessness compared to the public due to the circumstances they have encountered. There are various reasons why, but many veterans do not seek the help and support that is available to them to help cope with their return regular society. The VA findings suggested that identifying homelessness based on their administration records could lead to challenges in determining the extent of the problem. (Peterson 10). This proves that the government has played a role in the increase in the cases of homelessness. The veterans become homeless either because of lack of payment of mortgages while the soldiers are away in peacekeeping or the remuneration given to the soldiers are not enough to cater to the medical expenses arising from the war and leave enough to pay for mortgages.

Strides have been made in improving conditions, providing support, and providing adequate housing for the homeless. Organizations like the VA, Habitat for Humanity, Interfaith Ministries, and Homeward Bound, and programs like Home First, have been making great strides in providing solutions for our homeless population, however there are limits to how many homeless can be facilitated, as the number of people in need outweighs the supply of accessible housing available. There have been various policy suggestions that can help to tackle the problem of homeless ness and improve the living standards (Rodriguez et al. 364). One of the suggested solutions is to increase funding for the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) homeless assistance programs, increasing funds to such programs would lead empower the homeless and give them an avenue through which they can engage in economic activities and become financially stable and be able to pay for mortgages and get out of the streets.

The second policy solution to the problem of homelessness is to coordinate housing services and this is a very effective means of reducing cases of homelessness as it would be the onus of the government to ensure that housing services reach the homeless and that follow-up programs are initiated to keep track of the funds rolled out towards tackling the problem of homelessness. The third solution to homelessness is the lowering the barriers to the subsidized housing programs as this would enable a bigger percentage of the society to ow homes through the flexible payment systems (Martin 74). In such a case, there need to be a flexible payment systems tailored to the needs of the homelessness to enable the acquire homes. Besides, improvement of Medicaid would greatly help to reduce homelessness because it makes medical care and the related payments of health insurance flexible and tailored to the needs of poor, this would give the poor and the homeless the opportunity to save of the payments for medical care and help them to pay for mortgages.

Furthermore, the government needs to create simple renewable SAMHSA to provide financial service to the homeless and help them to have financial uplifting in our society. Such would create long-term solutions towards the same and reduce the rate of homelessness in the modern society. Finally, the government need to create specific services for the veterans, this is evident in the financial challenges of the veterans due to the deal challenges they suffer from was making the financially dependent (Brown et al. 130). There should be special services for the veterans and this would improve their well-being.

Works Cited

Baker, Lisa A., et al. "MANY PATHS, ONE DESTINATION--New Directions And Opportunities For Ending Homelessness: Part One Of A Two-Part Series." Journal Of Housing & Community Development 73.2 (2016): 6-15. Academic Search Complete. Web. 7 Dec. 2016.

Brown, Rebecca T., et al. "Meeting The Housing And Care Needs Of Older Homeless Adults: A Permanent Supportive Housing Program Targeting Homeless Seniors." Seniors Housing & Care Journal 21.1 (2013): 126-135. Academic Search Complete. Web. 7 Dec. 2016

Lipmann, Bryan. "Elderly Homeless Men And Women: Aged Care's Forgotten People." Australian Social Work 62.2 (2009): 272-286. Academic Search Complete. Web. 7 Dec. 2016.

Martin, Edward J. "Affordable Housing, Homelessness, And Mental Health: What Heath Care Policy Needs To Address." Journal Of Health & Human Services Administration 38.1 (2015): 67-89. Academic Search Complete. Web. 7 Dec. 2016.

Peterson, Rachel, et al. "Identifying Homelessness Among Veterans Using VA Administrative Data: Opportunities To Expand Detection Criteria." Plos ONE 10.7 (2015): 1-14. Academic Search Complete. Web. 7 Dec. 2016.

Phillips, Lindsay. "Homelessness: Perception Of Causes And Solutions." Journal Of Poverty 19.1 (2015): 1-19. Academic Search Complete. Web. 7 Dec. 2016.

Rodriguez, Jacqueline, et al. "Cooking, Healthy Eating, Fitness And Fun (Cheffs): Qualitative Evaluation Of A Nutrition Education Program For Children Living At Urban Family Homeless Shelters." American Journal Of Public Health 103.S2 (2013): S361-S367. Academic Search Complete. Web. 7 Dec. 2016.