Homelessness in the United States

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Homeless is the condition of people with less "fixed, regular, and adequate nightshops" as defined by The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

Homelessness emerged as a national problem in the 1870s. Many homeless people live in emerging urban cities, such as New York City. In the 20th century, the Great Depression of the 1930s caused a devastating epidemic of poverty, hunger, and homelessness. There are two million homeless people migrating across the United States. In the 1960s, deinstalizationalization of patients from state psychiatric hospitals, according to doctors' medical libraries on the use of drugs, was the precipitating factor that gave rise to a population of displaced persons.

The number of homeless people grew in the 1980s, as housing and social services trimming increased. After years of advocacy and numerous revisions, President Ronald Reagan signed the McKinney-Vento Homeless Help Act in 1987; this remains the only part of federal law that allocates funds for direct services from homeless people. Over the past few decades, the availability and quality of data about homelessness has increased considerably. About 1.56 million people, or about 0.5% of the US population, use emergency shelter or temporary housing programs between October 1, 2008 and September 30, 2009. Homelessness in the United States is rising after the Great Recession.

In 2009, one in 50 children or 1.5 million children in the United States will be homeless each year. It is estimated there are 57,849 homeless veterans estimated in the United States during January 2013, or 12 percent of all homeless adults. Less than 8 percent of US veterans who are homeless are women. Texas, California, and Florida have the highest number of unmarried adolescents without a companion under the age of 18, comprising 58% of the total homeless under 18 younger population. Homeless affects men more than women. In the United States, about 60% of all homeless adults are male.

Due to the rotation in the population of displaced persons, the total number of people experiencing homelessness for at least a few nights for a year is considered much higher than the number of hours worked. A 2000 study estimated the number of people between 2.3 million and 3.5 million. According to Amnesty International USA, vacant homes outnumber homeless people fivefold. The December 2017 investigation by Philip Alston, UN Special Rapporteur on poverty and human rights, found that homeless people were effectively criminalized in many cities in the United States.

Causes of homelessness in the United States include lack of affordable housing, divorce, legitimate expulsion, negative cash flow, post traumatic stress disorder, seizure, fire, natural disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes, or floods), mental illness, physical disabilities, have relatives or supportive relatives, substance abuse, lack of necessary services, removal of pensions and unemployment rights, absent or inadequate income sources (such as Social Security, stock dividends, or annuities), poverty (no net worth), gambling , unemployment, and low-paying jobs. Homelessness in the United States affects many segments of the population, including families, children, victims of domestic violence, former inmates, veterans, and the elderly. Attempts to help the homeless include federal law, nonprofit efforts, increased access to health care, supportive homes, and affordable housing.

Video Homelessness in the United States

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Pre-colonial and colonial period

Following the Farmer Revolution in Britain, police were authorized under 1383 Bad Laws of English Law to the lapdogs and forced them to show support; if they can not, the punishment is imprisonment.

Vagabonds could be punished for three days and nights; in 1530, whipping was added. The presumption is that homeless people are unlicensed beggars. In 1547, a bill was passed that the homeless underwent some more extreme provisions of the criminal law, which were two years of slavery and imaging with "V" as a punishment for the first offense and death for the second.

A large number of homeless people were among the inmates who were transported to American colonies in the 18th century.

Urbanization

Homelessness emerged as a national problem in the 1870s. There is no national figure documenting the demographics of today's homeless people. Jacob Riis writes about, documenting, and photographing the poor and needy, though not specifically homeless, in the tenement houses in New York at the end of the 19th century. The basic book, How the Other Half Lives , was published in 1890, raising public awareness of living conditions in slums, causing some changes in building codes and some social conditions.

The movement that evolved toward social concerns sparked the development of rescue missions, such as America's first rescue mission, the New York City Rescue Mission, founded in 1872 by Jerry and Maria McAuley. In small towns, there are vagrants, who temporarily live near railroads and take the train to various destinations. Particularly after the American Civil War, a large number of homeless men form part of a counter known as "hobohemia" across America.

By the end of the 19th century, many cities and cities in America had significant numbers of homeless. In New York City, for example, there is an area known as "the Bowery." The rescue mission offers "soup, soap, and safety", a phrase introduced by The Salvation Army, popping up along the Bowery highway, including the oldest, The Bowery Mission. The mission was founded in 1879 by Pdt. And Ny. A.G. Ruliffson.

20th century

The Great Depression of the 1930s caused a devastating epidemic of poverty, hunger, and homelessness. There are two million homeless people migrating across the United States. Many live in the shanty town they call "Hoovervilles" who ridicule the President they accuse of the Depression. Residents live in huts and beg for food or go to the soup kitchen. The authorities do not officially recognize this Hoovervilles and sometimes move the occupants because it technically enters unlicensed on private land, but they are often tolerated out of necessity.

A survey of 1960 by the poor neighborhood of Temple University of Philadelphia found that 75 percent of people displaced were over 45, and 87 percent were white.

The 1963 Community Mental Health Act was the decisive factor in setting the stage for homelessness in the United States. Long-term psychiatric patients are released from the state hospital to the Single Room Occupancies and sent to a community health center for care and follow-up. It never works well and this population is mostly found living on the streets shortly thereafter without a sustainable support system. In the United States, during the late 1970s, deinstalizationalization of patients from state mental hospitals was a precipitating factor that gave rise to a population of displaced persons, especially in urban areas such as New York City.

1980s and 1990s

The number of homeless people grew in the 1980s, as housing and social services trimming increased and the economy worsened. The United States government determined that somewhere between 200,000 and 500,000 Americans would later become homeless. There are several US federal initiatives that aim to help, end and prevent homelessness, however, there are no homeless related programs in the Office of Management and Budget.

The history of the United States (1980-1991) illustrates that this is a time when there is economic pressure, high unemployment, and is a period when chronic homeless becomes a social problem. In 1980, federal funds accounted for 22% of the city's budget, but in 1989 similar aid accounted for only 6% of urban income (part of a larger 60% reduction in federal spending to support local governments). Most (though not exclusively) in these urban areas, the homeless extends and reaches an unprecedented amount. The most important are the cuts to the low-income federal housing program. The advocacy group claims that Congress is halving the budget for public housing and Section 8 (the government subsidized housing coupon program) and that between 1980 and 1989, the HUD budget authorities reduced from $ 74 billion to $ 19 billion. Such alleged allegations are claimed to have resulted in inadequate supply of housing sufficient to meet the growing demand for low-income populations. In 1970 there were 300,000 low-cost rental units (6.5 million) from low-income households (6.2 million). In 1985, advocacy groups claimed that the number of low-cost units had dropped to 5.6 million, and the number of low-income households had grown to 8.9 million, a difference of 3.3 million units.

In response to the homeless crisis that occurred in the 1980s, worried citizens across the country demanded that the federal government provide assistance. After years of advocacy and numerous revisions, President Reagan signed the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Act of 1987; this remains the only part of federal law that allocates funds for direct services from homeless people. The McKinney-Vento Act paves the way for service providers in the coming years. During the 1990s, homeless shelters, public kitchens, and other support services sprang up in cities across the country. Despite these efforts and the dramatic economic growth marked by this decade, the number of homeless remains high. It becomes increasingly clear that only providing services to relieve symptoms of homelessness (ie shelter, hot food, psychological counseling, etc.), although necessary, fails to solve the root cause of homelessness. The United States Intergovernmental Council on Homelessness (USICH), a federal agency contained in the Executive Branch, was established in 1987 as a requirement of the McKinney-Vento Act of 1987.

21st century

Improved data

Over the last few decades, the availability and quality of data on homelessness has increased considerably, in part due to initiatives by the United States government. Since 2007, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development has issued an Annual Homeless Assessment Report, which reveals the number of individuals and families who become homeless, whether protected or not. In 2009, there were about 643,000 homeless people sheltered and not slipping across the country. About two-thirds of them live in makeshift shelters or use temporary housing programs, with residents living on streets in abandoned buildings or other areas not intended for human habitation. About 1.56 million people, or about 0.5% of the US population, use emergency shelter or temporary housing programs between October 1, 2008 and September 30, 2009. Approximately 44% of homeless people are employed.

According to the US Housing Recovery and Urban Development 2008 annual homeless assessment report, the most common demographic features of all sheltered homeless are: men, minority group members, older than 31 years old, and alone. More than 40 percent of homeless sheltered people have disabilities. At the same time, a sizable segment of the homeless population protected is white, non-Hispanic (38 percent), children (20 percent), or part of multi-person households (33 percent). About 68 percent of the 1.6 million homeless people are sheltered homeless as individuals and 32 percent are people in the family.

In 2008 more than 66 percent of all sheltered homeless were in major cities, with 32 percent located in suburban or rural jurisdictions. About 40 percent of people entering emergency shelters or temporary housing programs during 2008 come from other homeless situations (unprotected or not slipping), 40 percent come from home situations (in their own homes or others), and the remaining 20 percent are split. between institutional arrangements or other situations such as hotels or motels. Most people have relatively short residence times in emergency shelters: 60 percent live less than a month, and 33 percent live a week or less.

Cause

"In 2004, the United States Mayor Conference... observed the mayors of major cities about the levels and causes of city homelessness and most mayors cited the lack of affordable housing as a cause of homelessness.... The next three causes were identified by the mayor, in order of rank , is a mental illness or lack of needed services, substance abuse and lack of required services, and low-wage jobs. The lowest-ranking cause, cited by five mayors, is re-entry of prisoners, unemployment, domestic violence, and poverty. "

The major causes of homelessness include:

• Failure of urban housing projects to provide safe, secure and affordable housing for the poor. In addition, many workers can not afford to live where they work, and even in the cost of public housing at moderate prices requires a large proportion of household income.
• The deinstalizationalization movement from the 1950s onwards in the state mental health system, to turn to 'community-based' care of the mentally ill, as opposed to long-term commitment within the institution. There is a disproportionately higher prevalence of mental illness compared to other disease groups in the homeless patient population in both hospitalized hospitals and hospital-based emergency units.
• The rebuilding and gentrification activities instituted by cities across the country where low-income neighborhoods are declared damaged and destroyed to pave the way for projects that result in higher property taxes and other revenues, creating shortage of affordable housing for families low-income workers, poor parents, and disabled people.
• The failure of the US Department of Veterans Affairs to provide effective mental health care and meaningful job training for many homeless veterans, especially those from the Vietnam War.
• Almost half of foster children in the United States become homeless when they are released from foster care at the age of 18.
• Natural disasters that destroy homes: hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, etc. Workplaces are often destroyed too, causing unemployment and mortality.
• People who have been sentenced in prison, have abused drugs and alcohol, or have a history of mental illness find it difficult to find work for many years at a time due to the use of a computer background check by a potential employer. Also includes registered sex offenders who are considered undesirable in some metropolitan areas. See re-entry prisoners.
• According to the Housing Institute in 2005, the US Government has focused 42% more on foreign countries than American homeless citizens, including homeless veterans.
• People hiding to avoid law enforcement.
• Adults and children who escaped domestic violence.
• Teens who fled or were expelled by parents who did not approve of their child's sexual orientation or gender identity. A 2010 study by the Center for American Progress shows that the number of disproportionate homeless youth (between 20-40%) is identified as LGBTQ.
• Overly complex building codes that make it hard for most people to create. Traditional huts, cars and tents are illegal, classified as substandard and can be moved by the government, even though the occupants can own the land. Landowners can not live on the land for cheap, and sell the land and become homeless.
• Foreclosure homes, including foreclosures of apartment complexes that replace tenants who rent there.
• Eviction from rental properties.
• Lack of support from friends or family.
• Individuals who prefer homelessness and want to remain outside the network for political and ideological purposes. Often identified as Talang Talang or Urban Survivalists. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has rarely reported this counter-cultural movement since Gutter Punks and similar individuals often refuse to participate in government studies and do not seek government assistance for ideological or political purposes.
• Lack of resources in the community to help with the help of homeless prevention before it becomes a crisis.
• Neoliberal reforms to the welfare state and the reduction of social safety nets.

The cause may include mental illness, addiction, an individual who loses his or her right, low self-confidence and/or freedom of choice. Other causes are temporary unemployment and/or temporary housing that is unreachable in various geographic locations.

federal law

In response to the Great Recession in the United States, President Obama signed several laws addressing the homeless crisis. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 aimed at the prevention of homelessness, in which he allocated an additional $ 1.5 billion to HUD for the "Homeless Prevention Program and Rapid Rehousing Program (HPRP)." The purpose of the HPRP is to help healthy and non-homeless individuals and families in escaping from homeless or preventing homeless people from vulnerable populations. On May 20, 2009, President Obama signed the Homeless Assistance Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEART) Acting into Public Law (Public Law 111-22 or "PL 111-22"), re-authorizing the HUD Homeless Assistance program. It was part of the Family Assistance Act Saving Their House in 2009. The HEARTS action allows for the prevention of homeless, quick housing, consolidation of housing programs, and new homeless categories.

In the first year of the new decade, the Federal government launched the Door: the Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness. Door Opening is a publication of the US Interagency Council on Homelessness, which works with all Federal agencies and many countries and local stakeholders about its creation and vision, establishes a ten-year path for the nation to prevent and end all kinds of homeless. This plan was presented to the President and Congress during the White House Ceremony on June 22, 2010.

The crisis continues

According to the US Conference of Mayors, the demand for emergency shelters in 270 US cities increased 13 percent in 2001 and 25 percent in 2005. 22 percent of those requesting emergency shelters were denied.

To 2016, homelessness is considered an epidemic in several US cities. "Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and seven of the 15 City Council members announced they will declare a state of emergency and seek to find $ 100 million to treat what has become a municipal condemnation." Homeless people in New York City have tripled since January 2000, out of about 20,000 people using night shelter services up to over 60,000 by January 2015. This number does not include those who choose to stay away from shelter providers.

Maps Homelessness in the United States

Definitions and categories

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development recognizes four categories of people who qualify as homeless by law: (1) those who are currently homeless, (2) those who will be homeless in the future to come, (3) youth and family certain with children suffering from house instability caused by difficulties, and (4) those suffering from house instability are caused by domestic violence.

According to Stewart B. McKinney Act, 42 US. Ã, § 11301, et seq. (1994), a person is considered homeless if they "do not have a fixed, regular, and adequate nightly residence at night and... have a prime night residence: (A) openly supervised or privately operated shelters is designed to provide temporary accommodation... (B) an institution providing temporary shelter for individuals intended to be institutionalized; or (C) public or private places not designed for, or normally used as, regular sleeping accommodation for humans. Human Rights Watch (2010) identified emancipation teenagers in California as a new homeless population.

Homeless veteran

Homeless veterans are people who have served in the armed forces who have lost their homes or lives without access to safe and proper accommodation. It is estimated there are 57,849 homeless veterans estimated in the United States during January 2013; or 12 percent of all homeless adults. Less than 8 percent of US veterans who are homeless are women.

During the 21st century, the providers of homeless services and the Federal government have been able to reduce the homeless and chronic homeless among Veterans with targeted efforts and interagency cooperation in initiatives such as the HUD-VASH program.

Young homeless

The number of homeless children in the United States grew from 1.2 million in 2007 to 1.6 million in 2010. The US defines homelessness as "an individual who has no fixed, regular, and adequate night shelter at night", according to McKinney -Vento Homeless Assistance Act. The number of homeless children reached a record high in 2011, 2012, and 2013 about three times their number in 1983. "It is estimated that two million [youth] run from or are forced out of their homes every year" in the United States. This difference in numbers can be attributed to the temporary nature of street children in the United States, unlike more permanent countries in developing countries.

One in 50 children or 1.5 million children in the United States will be homeless each year. By 2013, that number has jumped to one in 30 children, or 2.5 million, Ã, million.

Texas, California, and Florida have the highest number of unmarried adolescents without unaccompanied under-18s; comprising 58% of the total homeless under 18 young population

Street children in the United States tend to live in the state, 83% do not leave their home country. If they go, street children tend to end up in big cities, especially New York City, Los Angeles, Portland, Oregon, and San Francisco. Street children are predominantly Caucasian and female in the United States, and 42% identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT).

The United States Government has made efforts since the late 1970s to accommodate this part of the population. The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act of 1978 make funding available to shelters and fund National Runaway Switchboard. Other efforts include the Child Abuse and Treatment Act of 1974, the Child Abuse and Child Abuse System, and the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. There was also a drop in arrest rates among street youth, which was reduced in 30,000 arrests from 1998 to 2007. Instead, authorities referred youth homeless to a state-run social service agency.

College youth

The homeless college youth is responsible for over a million young homeless residents. According to the Federal Student Aid Free Application, also known as FAFSA, by 2013, over 58,000 students are identified as homeless on their app. "The federal government defines an unaccompanied, unaccompanied elderly (UHY) man as a" homeless, organized and adequate "homeowner and who is" not in physical custody of parents or adults. "The McKinney Vento Act is considered a key part of federal legislation relating to educational support for homeless and juvenile children. The causes of homelessness vary from student to student. There are two types of homeless college students: 1. students who become homeless after entering college and 2. students who become homeless during For teenagers who become homeless when entering college, this situation represents students who have difficulty maintaining housing because of the loss of their parent or guardian's job, the lack of a parent or guardian or because the youth has been asked to leave home or decide to escape The reason why a college youth to become homeless when attending college is as follows: unable to maintain the financial costs for housing and ood Secondly, with the financial support provided by the family is lifted.Fortunately, there are programs that available in state universities and universities that provide students with the necessary resources to gain financial and housing stability and sustainability. There are also organizations such as the National Association for Children and Youth Education (NAEHCY) who advocate higher education so that children and youth can fulfill their dreams. Another innovative model that can greatly help homeless students is Single Stop USA, which operates in colleges to help connect low-income students with the resources they need, including housing, to not only stay in school but to excel

LGBT Youth

Research shows that the number of homeless youths disproportionate in the United States is identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, or LGBT. The investigators believe that this is primarily due to the hostility or abuse of youth families leading to eviction or escape. In addition, LGBT youth are often at greater risk for certain hazards while homeless, including being a victim of crime, risky sexual behavior, substance abuse, and mental health problems. LGBT homeless youth have limited access to emergency housing options that affirm their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and according to the Notes for Family Court Review recommending policies regarding such housing options, as many as fifty percent of LGBT youth in emergency housing programs can be attacked physical, partially exacerbated in a large shelter that holds two hundred or more youths. In addition, the homeless youth emergency housing program may lead to denial of service for LGBT adolescents under the religious aspect of this individual orientation.

The homeless family

Homeless family topics first appeared in the United States during the 1980s when social welfare programs were being cut and high levels of income equality, child poverty and the lack of affordable housing became a problem. The issue of homeless families returned in 2009 after the Recession, which replicated the same problem from the 80s. The 2000s saw a new population of those who experience homelessness: families with children. While problems arose early in the decade, the problem continued into 2010. By the end of the decade the trend continued, with the number of individuals in homeless families rising from 431,541 in 2007 to 535,447 in 2009. In 2011, the National Center for Homelessness launched statistics from the study which they operate that rank the United States with the most homeless families among other progressive countries.

Homeless women with children

Another study found that the three largest risk factors that contribute to family homelessness in the United States are: ethnicity, lack of resources (especially funds), and young children/pregnancy. There is also a strong correlation between homeless families and households run and financed by a single woman, especially one from a minority group and with at least two children. Single income families, especially those below the federal poverty line, have a harder time finding homes than other families, especially given the limited affordable housing options. Homeless families do not always take shelter in shelters, but being homeless does not mean living on the streets. Homeless women with children are more likely to live with family or friends than those who have no children, and this group is treated with higher priority by government and society. This can be seen through special shelters serving women with children.

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Attempts to help the homeless

The homeless community in the United States is assisted by governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Housing

The homeless reported a lack of affordable housing as the number one reason to become homeless. Many nonprofit organizations operate to serve this need - for example, the National Low Income Housing Coalition - but most lack the funds needed to create enough housing. Some of the proposed policy measures are designed to secure such funding, such as the National Housing Trust Fund, but these have not yet been signed into law.

The two main types of housing programs provided for the homeless are temporary and permanent houses. The temporary housing program is operated with one goal - to help individuals and families get permanent housing as quickly as possible. Temporary housing programs help the homeless for a certain period of time or until they can obtain their own housing and function successfully in the community, or whichever comes first.

Several related shelters and charitable foundations have purchased buildings and real estate to evolve into permanent housing for homeless people in lieu of temporary housing.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development and Administration of Veterans has a special Section 8 housing coupon program called VASH (Veterans Administration Supported Housing), or HUD-VASH, which provides a certain number of sections of 8 subsidized housing vouchers for eligible homeless and otherwise vulnerable veterans of the US armed forces. The HUD-VASH program has been successful in accommodating many homeless veterans.

The First Housing has met with success since its early implementation in 2009 by providing relative homes with no ties to homeless people with substance abuse problems or mental health issues. The First Housing allows homeless men and women to be taken directly from the streets to private community-based apartments, without requiring advance care. This allows homeless people to return to normal, from where it is believed that they are better prepared to overcome their addiction or illness. The recurrence rate through this type of program is lower than for conventional homeless programs.

Housing First was initiated by the Interagency Council on Homelessness of the federal government. It asks cities to come up with a plan to end chronic homelessness assuming that if homeless people are given independent housing immediately with social and financial support, then there will be a diminished need for emergency homeless shelters.

Homeless people report mental illness as the number three reason to be or remain homeless. Such diseases are often closely related to the fourth reason - substance abuse - and it is therefore generally accepted that these two problems must be handled simultaneously. Although many medical, psychiatric, and counseling services exist to meet this need, it is generally believed that without the support of reliable and stable housing, such treatment remains ineffective. Furthermore, in the absence of a universal health care plan, many of those in need can not afford such services. The proposed legislation such as the House Laws Bringing America is intended to provide total care for many patients of mental torture and homeless abuse.

Policy

There are some policies related to homelessness. In 1980 the government decided to start sending funds to homeless people, but it was not until 1984 that shelters were built to accommodate and feed them. As shown, although seventy percent needed homeless to attend religious ceremonies and spent only a few nights there. In 1987 the McKinney Act problem with homelessness was known as a very big social problem. Then, the Act No 2001 (PL 107-110) changed the program explicitly to prohibit the state receiving the McKinney-Vento fund from separating homeless students from homeless students, except for short periods of time for health and safety emergencies or to provide temporary, special, additional services. The Chronic Homeless Initiative. The George W. Bush Administration set a national goal to end chronic homelessness in ten years, by 2012. The 10-year plan idea to end chronic homelessness began as part of a 10-year plan to end homelessness generally adopted by the National Alliance for Homeless Ends (NAEH ) in 2000. The following year, then Secretary Martinez announced HUD's commitment to end chronic homelessness at the annual NAEH conference. In 2002, as part of his FY2003 budget, President Bush made "ending chronic homelessness within the next decade as the ultimate goal." The Millennial Leadership Commission, congressally budgeted, in its Report to Congress in 2002, includes ending chronic homelessness within 10 years of its main recommendations. In 2003, the Intergovernmental Council on Homelessness was re-involved and accused of pursuing the President's 10 year plan. The Administration has recently made several collaborative efforts to achieve its goal of ending chronic homelessness in 10 years. On October 1, 2003, the Government announced a grant of more than $ 48 million in grants intended to serve the chronic homeless needs through two initiatives. The "Ending Chronic Homeless with Work and Housing Initiative" initiative is a collaborative grant offered jointly by HUD and the Department of Labor (DOL). The initiative offers $ 10 million from HUD and $ 3.5 million from DOL to help the chronically homeless in five communities gain access to jobs and permanent housing. Section 8 is a core housing program that helps low-income families accommodate the gap between their income below 30 percent of the average income for each community. The government helps homeless families by providing grants and vouchers. Vouchers are available to most needy families and they are used to pay for housing found in private markets. Currently there are policy changes that accept vouchers and there will be a reduction in the number of vouchers given to the population of displaced persons.

Public library

Public libraries can and often significantly help with problems presented by homelessness. In many communities, the library is the only facility that offers free computer and internet access, so this is a place where many homeless people go to seek services for basic needs such as health care, education and housing. The library computer is also required to create a resume, look for open jobs in the area, and complete the job application.

A news and video article titled, "SF Library offers Social Services to the Homeless," talks about San Francisco libraries that have full-time social workers in the library to reduce and help the homeless. It mentions that Leah Esguerra, who is a psychiatric social worker, has an ordinary routine done by going around to the different homeless and greeting them to see if she can help them. He offers assistance in various forms that can range from connecting customers with services or providing them with mental health counseling. He also oversaw a 12-week vocational program that culminated in a lucrative job in the library for the once homeless (Knight, 2010). Changes have garnered positive results from all customers. Since the service started, the staff at the library stated that they have seen a decline in inappropriate behavior. The addition of Social Workers in the library has many benefits because they can help with issues such as education; emergency services (food, clothing, housing, and crisis support); work; family Affairs; improvement of health (including health insurance); immigration; and support groups for men, women and adolescents.

The San Jose University Library became one of the first academic libraries to address the needs of the homeless and apply change to better serve this population. In 2007, the University's Libraries and Public Libraries incorporated made the choice to be proactive in reaching out. Collaborations with nonprofits in the area culminated in computer classes taught, as well as nutrition classes, family literacy programs, and book discussion groups. After eighteen months, the library staff felt that they were still not doing enough and "analyzing program participation trends equipped with observations and anecdotes" to better understand the information needs of the homeless. When it is understood that this need is complicated, additional customer service training is provided to all interested staff. Once the staff better understood the needs of the homeless, it was determined that many programs were ready, with little adaptation, to help the homeless. The program is tailored to meet this need. Additional improvements implemented include temporary computer access and extensive internal reading room to negate policies where it can prevent a homeless person from obtaining a library card. The New York Public Library offers services to homeless people living in shelters.

Dallas Public Library began "Coffee and Conversations" which is part of their Homeless Involvement Initiative. Staff expecting a bi-monthly show between staff and homeless customers will help them serve the homeless population of homeless people in Dallas better. They also sponsored Street View podcasts, a library that produced podcasts featuring stories and experiences from the city's homeless population. Guests often include social service providers.

In May 1991, Richard Kreimer, a homeless man in Morristown, N.J. sued the local public library and the City of Morristown for kicking her out of the library after other visitors complained about her annoying behavior and body odor. He then won the case and paid $ 250,000.

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The homeless effect

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

Homelessness has a tremendous effect on children's education. Education of homeless youth is considered important in breaking the cycle of poverty. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act mandates the same opportunity for free public education for homeless students. This action should undermine the barriers of homeless students to receive education. These barriers include restrictions on shelter, medical record verification, and transportation problems. Once a student goes beyond this obstacle, they are still subject to the stigma of being homeless, and the humiliation they feel because of their situation. Some families do not report their homelessness, while others are unaware of the opportunities available to them. Many reports that keep a stable school environment help the students because it's the only thing that remains normal. Many homeless students are left behind their friends at school due to behavioral disorders, and lack of attendance at school.

Since the collapse of the housing bubble of the United States, there has been an increase in the number of homeless students. NAEHCY or the National Association for the Education of Homeless for Children and Adolescents, has reported an increase of 99% of homeless students in a three-month period (San Diego).

Of the 1,636 schools, 330 reported no increase, 847 reported a half increase, and 459 reported an increase of 25 percent or more. Due to lack of funds many school districts are struggling to provide the services needed to support homeless students, as mandated by the McKinney-Vento Act, such as increased transportation needs and greater coverage and usefulness of services. Wisconsin Rapids School of Homeless Occupants Heather Lisitza says:

One of the biggest challenges facing our district is providing transportation for homeless students. There are several approaches that our district can use to provide transportation for these students. Our city only has one taxi service and no public bus system. Our taxi company is small and can not meet all our transportation requests. If possible, we add students to an existing bus route or make a contract agreement with the parent/guardian of the student. However, there are many situations where none of these options work. Another challenge facing our district is providing the right outfits for homeless students. Since we live in central Wisconsin and have a long cold winter, all students need the right outfit to go out. Proper outfits include snowshoes, hats, mittens, snow pants, and winter jackets that have zippers or buttons working on it. This burden increases rapidly and is difficult to impart to the increasing number of homeless students.

This is very worrying because homeless students are 1) 1.5 times more likely to perform below grade levels in reading; 2) 1.5 times more likely to perform below grade level in spelling; and 3) 2.5 times more likely to perform below grade levels in mathematics. There is some concern that there will be false reports of homeless students, but most of it is not a problem.

Criminalization

Laws have directly and indirectly criminalized displaced persons and people are trying to feed homeless people outside the home. At least 31 cities have criminalized the feeding of homeless people.

In 2014, the UN Human Rights Committee criticized the United States for criminalizing homelessness, noting that "cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment" is a violation of international human rights treaty obligations.

Vagrancy

The steps taken "prohibit activities such as sleep/camping, eating, sitting, and begging in the public sphere, usually including criminal penalties for violating this law." Such offenders are usually subject to criminal penalties, which result in fines and/or detention.

In April 2006, the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that "making it a crime as homeless by charging them with crime is against the 8th and 14th Amendments." However, on 15 October 2007, the Court vacated its Revenue when, at the time of appeal, the parties settled the case outside the court.

City can not explicitly criminalize homeless status by making it a crime without a place of residence without violating the Eighth Amendment, nor can it criminalize an act which is an integral aspect of that status. Because there is substantial and undeniable evidence that the number of people displaced in Los Angeles far exceeds the number of shelter beds available at all times, including on the eve of their arrest or quotation, Los Angeles has violated the Eighth Amendment protection of the Appellants by criminalizing the sit unavoidable, lying down or sleeping at night when inadvertently becoming homeless.

... The Eighth Amendment forbids City from punishing sitting, lying, or sleeping on public sidewalks which is the unavoidable consequence of being human and homeless without shelter in the City of Los Angeles.

... With our decision, we have not dictated City that they have to provide enough housing for the homeless, or allow anyone who wants to sit, lie down or sleep on the streets of Los Angeles anytime and anywhere in the City. What we hold is that, as long as there are more homeless people in Los Angeles than the number of available beds, City may not force 41.18 (d) any time and place across the City against homeless individuals accidentally sitting, lying down and sleeping in public.

In August 2012, a federal district judge in Philadelphia ruled that a law prohibiting serving food for homeless people outside the home was unconstitutional.

On June 19, 2014, the Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit thwarted a 1983 regulation in the city of Los Angeles that "forbids people to live in cars or recreational vehicles in city streets or in parking lots" as "unconstitutional clear. like other cities, which prohibit overnight parking or sleeping in vehicles, the law of Los Angeles prohibits the use of cars as a 'place to stay, either overnight and' day after day, or vice versa. '"

Proponents of homeless rights are pushing the "Rest of Rights" bill in some countries by 2015, which would overturn legislation targeting homeless people to sit, eat and sleep in public.

Crime against homeless people

Since the 1990s, more and more violent acts have been committed against homeless people. The level of documented crime in 2005 was 30% higher than in 1999. 75 per cent of all offenders are under 25 years of age.

In recent years, largely due to the efforts of the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) and academic researchers, the issue of violence against the homeless has gained national attention. In their report: Hate, Violence, and Death at Mainstreet USA, the NCH reported 386 acts of violence committed against homeless people during that period, of which 155 were deadly. NCH ​​called the acts a hate crime (they defend the definition of the American Congress). They insist that the so-called bumfight video spreading hatred against homeless people and demeaning them.

Center for Hate Studies & amp; Extremism (CSHE) at California State University, San Bernardino together with NCH found that 155 homeless people were killed by non-homeless people in "hate killings", while 76 people were killed in all other traditional hate crimes killing categories such as race and religion, combined. CSHE argues that negative and degrading depictions of displaced people contribute to the climate in which violence occurs.

Various studies and surveys show that homeless people have a much higher level of crime victims than non-homeless, but most incidents have never been reported to the authorities. A 2007 study found that the number of violent crimes against homeless people increased. By 2013, there were 109 attacks on homeless people, a 24 percent increase the previous year, according to NCH. Eighteen people were killed in the attack. In July 2014, three boys aged 15, 16 and 18, were arrested and charged with beating to death two homeless men with bricks and metal poles in Albuquerque.

As in other countries, criminals - both individuals and organized groups - sometimes exploit homeless people, from identity theft to tax fraud and prosperity. Homeless people, and homeless organizations, are also known to be accused or punished for fraud and fraud. These incidents often lead to the negative impression of the homeless by the general public.

Health

There is a two-way relationship between homelessness and ill health. Homeless people burden individuals and longer individuals experiencing homelessness, the more likely they are to experience poor health and higher risk for premature death. Health conditions, such as substance abuse and mental illness, can increase the susceptibility of people to homelessness. In contrast, homelessness can further cause health problems as they come with constant exposure to environmental threats such as the dangers of violence and infectious diseases. Homeless people suffer from high levels of substance abuse, mental illness, physical health problems, and legal problems/obstacles disproportionately in getting a job. Lack of health insurance and some urgency of homeless conditions discourage many homeless from receiving care.

A large number of homeless people work but only a few homeless people are able to generate significant income from work alone. Physical health problems also limit work or daily activities that are job barriers. Drug and alcohol abuse and dependence are positively associated with lower levels of work but negatively related to higher employment rates. Those with physical health problems are substantially more likely than those with mental health problems to be in more generous disability programs. Disturbance of substance use also becomes a barrier to participating in disability programs. Participation levels in government programs are low, and people with major mental disorders have low participation rates in disability programs.

Children's Health

There is a risk of seeking refuge in shelters, which are increasing and more visible to children. These risks include health problems such as malnutrition due to lack of access to nutritional food, coping-related behavioral problems, social insecurity from growing in unstable environments, and mental illnesses such as PTSD and trauma. These problems exacerbate the risks of underachieving children in both academic and personal settings.

Mother's Health

Just as children from homeless families are at greater risk of behavioral, mental, and physical health problems than their peers, their mothers are also at higher risk especially in developing mental illness. There are many things that contribute to why homeless women are at a higher rate of developing mental illness than the general population, but there are three that recur among the studies that focus on this issue. First, there is ongoing violence at home that women and their children are entering into larger issues of the single female households that are vulnerable to homelessness. A second reason for abandoning violent homes is the experience of major sexual abuse, negligence, and/or death of major household providers. And third, the problem of mental illness or repetitive substance abuse. All of these factors not only make women and their children more likely to be homeless, but also place homeless women at a higher risk of mental illness than women in the general population.

src: orlando-rising.com

Situation in certain cities and states

src: www.oregonlive.com

Public attitudes

Many supporters for homeless people argue that the main difficulty is the social stigma surrounding homelessness. Many have linked the lack of permanent homes with lack of decent bathrooms and limited access to regular maintenance. Thus, people who become homeless become "unattractively aesthetic" to the general public. Research shows that "physically attractive people are judged to be more positive than people who are physically unattractive to a variety of traits... reflecting social competence."

In addition to the physical component of stigmatization there is a homeless association with mental illness. Many people think mental illness is irresponsible and childlike and treats them with fear and exclusion, using their mental incapacity as a justification of why they should be left out of the community.

There is anecdotal evidence that many Americans complain about the presence of homeless people, blaming them for their situation, and feel that their request for money or support (usually through beggars) can not be justified. In the 1990s, in particular, many observers and media articles spoke of "compassion" a belief that people have grown tired of this seemingly difficult problem.

A common misconception is that many people who are dreamy are not really homeless, but actually use pity and compassion to finance their lifestyles, up to $ 20 per hour and a luxurious life. Exceptions to this rule seem to be more common due to media attention, but in reality, there are only a few cases.

Public opinion surveys show relatively little support for this view. A 1995 paper in the American Journal of Community Psychology concluded that "even though homeless people are clearly stigmatized, there is little evidence to suggest that people have lost compassion and are unwilling to support policies to help the homeless." A Penn State study in 2004 concluded that " familiarity breeds sympathy "and greater support for problem solving.

A 2007 survey conducted by the Public Agenda, a non-profit organization that helps leaders and citizens navigate through complex social issues, found that 67 percent of New Yorkers agree that most homeless people are homeless because of "circumstances beyond their control , "including high housing. cost and lack of good and stable work. More than a third (36 percent) said they were worried about being homeless themselves, with 15 percent saying they were "very worried." More interestingly, 90 percent of New Yorkers believe that everyone has the right to shelter, and 68 percent believe that the government is responsible for ensuring the rights of its citizens. The survey found support for investment in prevention, rental assistance and permanent housing for homeless people.

The Public Agenda has also concluded, however, that public sympathy has its limits. In a 2002 national survey, the organization found 74 percent said police had to leave a homeless person alone if they did not bother anyone. By contrast, 71 percent said the police had to move homeless if they kept customers away from the shopping area and 51 percent said homeless people had to be moved if they drove people away from public parks.

src: cdn.theatlantic.com

Statistics and demographics

Extremely accurate and comprehensive statistics are difficult to obtain for any social studies, but especially when measuring the hidden and uncertain reality of the homeless. All given numbers are approximate. In addition, these estimates represent the national average as a whole; the proportion of specific homeless communities may vary significantly depending on local geography.

Annual Tunas Anniversary to Congress Report

Perhaps the most accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date data on homelessness in the United States is reported annually by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the Annual Conggressional Assessment Report for Congress (AHAR), released in June each year since 2007 The AHAR report relies on data from two sources: a one-night, point-in-time calculation of a sheltered, non-slipping homeless population reported in the Continuum of Care application to HUD; and the number of homeless population protected for a full year is provided by community samples based on data in their Management Information Systems (HMIS).

Other statistics

Total number

During this year (October 2009 - September 2010), the 2010 Annual Homeless Awards report found that 1,593,150 people experience homeless Most of the homeless are homeless. Chronic homeless populations (people with recurrent episodes or who have been homeless for a long time) declined from 175,914 in 2005 to 123,833 in 2007. According to AHAR 2017 (Annual Homeless Appraisal Report) about 553,742 people experience homelessness, which is 1 % increase from 2016. [2]

Family composition

According to NCHWIH report:

• 51.3% are single men.
• 24.7% are single women.
• 23% are families with children - the fastest growing segment.
• 5% are minors without adult company.
39% of the total homeless population are children under 18 years of age.

Marital status

According to NCHWIH 2014 report:

• 24% are married.
• 76% are single.
• 67.5% are single men in a single percentage.
• 32.5% are single women in a single percentage.

Race and Ethnicity

According to the 2010 SAMHSA report, between long-term residents (people who stayed six months or more) in emergency shelters in 2008:

• 56.6% is Black/African-American
• 28.7% are Hispanic/Latin

According to NCHWIH 2014 report:

• 42% are Negroid, African American (more than 3.23x compared with 13% of the general population).
• 38% are Caucasians, European Americans (under-represented 0.53x compared with 72% of the general population).
• 20% are Hispanic (more than 1.25x compared to 16% of the general population).
• 4% are Native American (4x higher than 1% of the general population).
• 2% are Mongoloid, Asian American (less represented 0.4x compared with 5% of the general population).

Mental health

According to SAMHSA 2010 report:

• 26.2% of all sheltered people who are homeless have a severe mental illness
• About 30% of people with chronic homeless have mental health conditions.

According to data analysis from NSHAPCxiv 1996:

• More than 60% of people with chronic homeless have lifelong mental health problems

Substance abuse

According to SAMHSA 2010 report:

• 34.7% of all homeless sheltered adults have chronic substance abuse issues
• About 50% of people who have chronically substance abuse problems without a home.

According to data analysis from NSHAPCxiv 1996:

• Over 80% have experienced alcohol and/or lifelong drug problems

Education

According to the findings of the 1996 Urban Institute of the National Survey on the Rescue of Homeless and Client Assistance (UIHAC)

• 53% have less than secondary school education
• 21% have finished high school
• 27% have a fund

  Source of the article : Wikipedia