“On a single night in January 2015, there were 564,708 people experiencing homelessness in the United States. Sixty-nine percent of those who were homeless were in sheltered locations and 31 percent were found in unsheltered locations” (Facts). People living in poverty are most likely have a high risk becoming homeless. Many other reasons why becoming homeless is due to economic conditions such as unemployment and increasing housing costs (Why). In addition, with all the new economic rules they are at higher risk of losing what they have already.
In certain areas, homeless people are families, single mothers, and children are major in homelessness. However, the number of homeless is families who has children had increased more over the past decade or so. It is the fastest growing division of the homeless population. The problem of homelessness in America is growing dramatically. It is an issue that can strike at anymore in given moment and when you least expect it. Therefore, this should be addressed as a major crisis than an inconvenient issue.
The National Alliance to End Homelessness and the Government should come together to create a solution to end the growing rate of the homeless people. As homelessness describes back in “1640s homelessness was seen as a moral of weakness, a character flaw” (America). If someone found one self in the 1600s homeless they had to prove themselves worthiness to the communities. However, if they could not show how worthy they were, they would be out of the town and headed out to a new one.
In addition, “During the Great Depression of the 1930s when many families were no longer able to afford their homes and traveled along a migrant worker trail to where they could find work” (American). The Great Depression had nearly two million people that were homeless, and during that time they were suffered from hunger and extreme poverty. Although it began to improve as the country came out of the bad times (American).
As of today, “over half of a million people are homeless. On one night or every day, there are over 600,000 homeless people in the U. S. , according to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)” (10Facts). Most people are homeless spend the night either in homeless shelter, other living conditions such as cars, on the streets, under bridges, and parks. However, there is an organization called The National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) is a United States organization that solves issues of the homelessness. The National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) was created to design to aid the homeless and spread awareness of the situation that was occurring.
Not only, that they were to help “The National Alliance to End Homelessness is a leading voice on the issue of homelessness” (National). They work 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 (National). When electing new officials, they will distribute new policy nationwide. The president Nan Roman of the NAEH, had stated, “Homelessness is a serious and devastating problem, but it is a problem that can be solved.
The National Alliance to End Homelessness has been a leader in the movement to marshal the knowledge, expertise, and public and political will to implement the solution” (Message, Roman). Although much more still needs to be accomplished. The National Alliance is up for that challenge (Message, Roman). Even though the government is looking the other way, the NAEH has their eyes set on situation and will not give up to provide shelter for these loving homeless people. In addition, some people will agree and others disagree for the government should help.
There are people, that would agree that the government should help the homeless people. For example, as Gennyg describes the importance of why the government should help the homeless people “It is not anyone’s choice to be in such terrible circumstances, it is a multitude of occurrences that are unique to each individual causing homelessness” (Should, Gennyg). One individual that is homeless cannot get out one self out of homelessness alone, they need support. The government can help the homeless in many ways of services, intervention initiatives, and enough financial aid (Should).
Handing out the support is only a temporary band-aide on the situation, therefore, the Government and communities should get together and start solving the issue. In addition, the employers of the company should train the homeless people to help them get jobs and be able to work for them. Giving help would impact the lives of the people who in homelessness because by helping them change their lives and knowing that they have something to live for. Unfortunately, the society of America has failed these people for one reason or another.
However, no one sees that everyone is a human being not just some nuisance, even the government is for the people. Therefore, if there is no people the government is no more. Saving fellow Americans, we could build more shelters all over America, to establish new families, save lives, and give more love to the homeless to show them that they are not alone On the other, there are some people who would disagree that the government should not help the homeless people. Jack Bauser had stated, “When one person thinks of homeless, the first image that usually comes to mind is that of the beggars walking around looking for charity” (Should, Bauser).
In addition, one individual homeless people cannot hold down a job. The reality is that the homeless people choose to remain homeless, they dislike having to work, and most of them who receive money spend it on drugs and liquor. As Bauser, continues to say “The government should not support these people’s drinking habits with our tax money. Not to mention all homeless people already qualify for food stamps, emergency Medicaid, and can get any lifesaving treatment at a hospital without ever paying the bill, they just need a 9. 00 a month PO Box to get benefits” (Should, Bauser).
If the homeless people keep on continuing to spend money, from a helping hand that someone hands them support just to spend it on illegal things, they do not need the support. Helping them with special request such as money, shelter, and food, most likely encouraging them to continue on living off society and continue to live in unsanitary homes. In those cases, helping them is rather than hurting them (Should). By not giving them money they will depend on the Government, non-government programs and NAEH to help them more than a person is willing to help.
The help should be the right form of help and not an access towards drugs, alcohol, and fast food. Homeless was not something that was construct overnight; it has existed for a long period of time. Often fellow Americans and the Government do not notice the homeless or simply do not knowledge them. Homelessness is not favoritism towards anything such as race, religion, and gender it is simply had no boundaries. Not all homeless people should be stereotyped as being drug abusers, mentally ill or even alcoholics.
Homelessness is a topic that a few individuals do not take into consideration or have a conversation about it. A person can experience homeless when they lose their home and no relatives to support them. As of today, this is an issue that many Americans are facing today, however, some people do not care. In the United States and other countries should not let their people be living on the streets (Should). People are put on to the streets to fend for one selves. Few individuals who are homeless become savages forced to scavenge through garbage.
Then being considered as dirt by the public eye. In addition, some people see the homeless as a nuisance. People who are not homeless perceive homeless people as rats festering in the streets and judge the homeless because of their horrible situation. In a lot cases, some homeless people cannot help themselves, after being in poverty for so long this it is nearly impossible to start a whole new life. They strive to achieve a new life; however, people still continue to look the other way. That is why change needs to be made.
The homeless needs the assistance of the nation and NAEH. People who can help them achieve to stop being homeless and create a more desirable living style. Having NAEH and the government of every individual state should come together to make the homelessness rate decrease as years go by and make sure it will not continue to grow. By getting them off the streets, make homes, provide food, and train them for a career. Let the homeless people know that they are not alone out there and they have full support from everybody that is around them.