Information AboutHomelessness |
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, a homeless Māori in Wellington New Zealand ]] Homelessness is a situation in which a person does not have a long term place of ongoing residence. This is distinguished from Nomad ic cultures in which that condition is considered normal. Homelessness is most visible in the poor sections of large Cities and Suburb s, though the homeless frequently co-exist less visibly within communities where most residents are not poor. The term '(of) No Fixed Abode' (NFA) is often used officially as an alternative to 'homeless'. Causes There are many possible causes of homelessness. It is a spectrum, a space occupied by many people, including the mentally ill, the unemployed, travelers, drug addicts, alcoholics, and those who have spiritual reasons (as yogis in India). Some people claim the problem stems from inadequate Social Service s such as Public Housing . In Ventura County, California, access to public housing currently requires a four-year wait. This is typical in many areas. Public housing requires paying one-third of all income as rent. A good credit history is also required. The VA only provides housing to chronically sick veterans. A homeless person with no family or generous friends must face sleeping in the open, in a car if they have one, or on commercial property until ejected. Some studies suggest Rent Control and other housing regulations foster homelessness by reducing the supply of housing. Social changes, such as the movement to recognize the rights of those considered mentally ill, could lead to increased homelessness, as such people can no longer be involuntarily committed to Mental Hospital s. Such a change occurred in the early 1980s in the United States, where it is now estimated that half of all homeless persons have some form of Mental Illness . In some cases, it is not always clear which came first; the homelessness or the mental illness. According to the National Alliance For The Mentally Ill (NAMI), there are 50,000 mentally ill homeless people in California alone because of deinstitutionalization between 1957 and 1988 and a lack of adequate local service systems. {Link without Title} Substance Abuse may be a cause as well — an estimated 50% of America's homeless have substance abuse problems. Debate exists about whether Drug Use is a cause or consequence of homelessness, but it is generally agreed that the prevalence of Alcoholism , Drug Addiction , and Mental Illness in the homeless population makes employment difficult to maintain. Many of these problems could stem from Sexual Abuse , Physical Abuse , or some other trauma. A 2005 study of homeless young people published in the '' Journal Of Adolescence '' found that personal drug use, familial drug use, family conflict, and in some cases family breakdown were contributing factors. {Link without Title} Demographics Single men have traditionally composed the homeless demographic, although in current time, homelessness is affecting more families and couples in areas of the United States. In the 1980s, there was a sharp rise in the number of homeless families in certain cities of the United States (notably New York ). Most homeless families consist of an unmarried mother and children. Many long-term homeless people in the United States served in the that make work difficult or impossible are also common among homeless people. Many organizations such as the Borgen Project have criticized U.S. leaders for not doing enough. Services Homeless Shelter s operated by government, churches, or charities work to provide temporary housing to the homeless. While some shelters also provide food, others require people to turn to Food Bank s and Soup Kitchen s for nutrition. Other services provided by some shelters include Health Clinic s, clothing and personal items, Employment Assistance , Counseling and other Social Services . However, there are a number of complaints about the safety and quality of homeless shelters. Subsidized Housing is a more expensive solution that some believe might end the cycle of homelessness. Income opportunities Homelessness can often produce a Vicious Circle . With no Phone Number , permanent Address , or place to get changed and washed, it can be very hard for the homeless to find or maintain jobs. Many non-profit organizations such as Goodwill Industries maintain a mission to "provide skill development and work opportunities to people with barriers to employment", though most of these organizations are not primarily geared toward homeless individuals. Many cities also have Street Newspapers or Street Magazines : publications designed to provide employment opportunity to homeless people or others in need by their sale on the streets of their respective cities. While some homeless have paying jobs, some must seek other methods to make money. , homeless people may generate income through frequent visits to these centers. In many cities, people who busk, panhandle, or visibly sleep outdoors are harassed by authorities. This trend is referred to as the Criminalization of homelessness. It is often motivated by urban development and pushes toward Gentrification . Homeless people have been known to purposely commit crimes in order to be sent to Jail or Prison for food and shelter. In police lingo, this is called "three hots and a cot." Similarly a homeless person may approach a hospital's emergency department and fake a mental illness in order to receive food and shelter. Statistics for developed countries The following statistics indicate the approximate average number of homeless people at any one time. Each country has a different approach to counting homeless people, so comparisons should be made with caution. : 1998) : United States : 750,000 (Unicef 1998) : News December 1998) :: 2001 Census ) The number of homeless people worldwide has grown steadily in recent years. In some Third World nations such as Brazil, India, Nigeria, and South Africa, homelessness is rampant, with millions of children living and working on the streets. Homelessness has become a problem in the cities of China, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines despite their growing prosperity, mainly due to migrant workers who have trouble finding permanent homes and to rising income inequality between social classes. Australia Homelessness should not be quantified as being without a house; rather, it defines a state in which a person lacks a secure base to establish secure routines of living. The Australian Bureau of Statistics breaks this down into 5 groups: {Link without Title}
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