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Homelessness is the condition and societal category of people who lack fixed housing, usually because they cannot afford a regular, safe, and adequate shelter. The term "homelessness" may also include people whose primary nighttime residence is in a , such as some Roma People (Gypsies) and members of some subcultures. An estimated 100 million people worldwide are homeless. More Than 100 Million Homeless Worldwide DEFINITION OF HOMELESS The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines the term "homeless" or "homeless individual or homeless person" as -- (1) an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; and (2) an individual who has a primary nighttime residence that is: A) supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations (including welfare hotels, congregate shelters, and transitional housing for the mentally ill); B) an institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized; or C) a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodations for human beings. Other names for homelessness The term used to describe homeless people in academic articles and government reports is "homeless people". Popular slang terms, some of which are considered derogatory, include: , February 9, 2007 In different languages, the term for homelessness reveals the cultural and societal perception and classification of a homeless person:
Voluntary homelessness A small number of homeless people choose to be homeless, living as (or Gypsy ) people, Irish travellers, Kalé from North Wales, and Scottish travellers. Many of these people "... continue to maintain a semi-nomadic lifestyle and live in Caravans "; however, "others have chosen to settle more permanently in houses." http://www.connectinghistories.org.uk/Learning%20Packages/Migration/migration_settlement_20c_lp_04.aspSome European countries have developed policies that acknowledge the unique nomadic (or "travelling") life of Gypsy peopleMolloy, (1998) Accommodating Nomadism, Belfast: Traveller Movement Northern Ireland Morris, R and Clements, L (2002) At what cost? The economics of Gypsy and Traveller Encampments Bristol: The Policy Press http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:En_4oIBUQwEJ:www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmodpm/633/633we18.htm+nomadism+homelessness&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=49; similar work has also been done by the Australian government, regarding the subgroup of Aborigine people who are nomadic. In large Japanese cities such as Toyko, the "many manifestations of urban nomadism" include day laborers and subculture groups http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:XNKXRa7LHmwJ:www.tradingplaces.org/2001/program.html+nomadism+homelessness&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7 (e.g., street punks). ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THE HOMELESS Refuges for the homeless There are many places where a homeless person might seek refuge.
Health care for the homeless Health care for the homeless is a major public health challenge.Aday, Lu Ann "Health status of vulnerable populations", Annual Review of Public Health, 1994;15:487-509. [http://arjournals.annualreviews.org/doi/pdf/10.1146/annurev.pu.15.050194.002415 Bibliography on Healthcare for the Homeless United States Department Of Health And Human Services , "Healthcare for the Homeless". [http://bphc.hrsa.gov/Hchirc/ Ferguson, M., "Shelter for the Homeless", American Journal of Nursing, 1989, pp.1061-2.Lenehan, G., McInnis, B., O'Donnell, and M. Hennessey, "A Nurses' Clinic for the Homeless", American Journal of Nursing, 1985, pp.1237-40.Martin-Ashley, J., "In Celebration of Thirty Years of Caring: Pine Street Inn Nurses Clinic", Unpublished. Homeless Health Concerns - National Library of MedicineWood, David, (editor), "Delivering Health Care to Homeless Persons: The Diagnosis and Management of Medical and Mental Health Conditions", Springer Publishing Company, March 1992, ISBN 0-8261-7780-8 Homeless people are more likely to suffer injuries and medical problems from their lifestyle on the street, which includes poor nutrition, substance abuse, exposure to the severe elements of weather, and a higher exposure to violence (robberies, beatings, and so on). Yet at the same time, they have little access to public medical services or clinics, in many cases because they lack health insurance"Each year, millions of people in the United States experience homelessness and are in desperate need of health care services. Most do not have health insurance of any sort, and none have cash to pay for medical care." More information available at: http://www.nhchc.org/Publications/basics_of_homelessness.html "Homeless people's access to appropriate treatment and care is hindered dramatically by a lack of health insurance coverage". Available at: http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:VhB4NFCkd4YJ:www.nationalhomeless.org/health/index.html+homelessness+lack+of+health+care+insurance&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4 or identification documents. "Homeless persons often find it difficult to document their date of birth or their address. Because homeless people usually have no place to store possessions, they often lose their belongings, including their identification and other documents, or find them destroyed by police or others. Without a photo ID, homeless persons cannot get a job or access many social services. They can be denied access to even the most basic assistance: clothing closets, food pantries, certain public benefits, and in some cases, emergency shelters. Obtaining replacement identification is difficult. Without an address, birth certificates cannot be mailed. Fees may be cost-prohibitive for impoverished persons. And some states will not issue birth certificates unless the person has photo identification, creating a Catch-22." Available at: http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:ICqOm9_J01cJ:www.nlchp.org/Press/detail.cfm%3FPRID%3D40+homelessness+lack+of+identification+documents&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2 Free-care clinics, especially for the homeless do exist in major cities, but they are usually over-burdened with patients., by Grace Elizabeth Moore, Harvard Divinity School, Center for the Study of World Religions The conditions affecting the homeless are somewhat specialized and has opened a new area of medicine catering to this population. Skin diseases and conditions abound, because homeless people are exposed to extreme cold in the winter and they have little access to bathing. Homeless people also have much more severe dental problems than the general population. Specialized medical textbooks have been written to address this for providers.O'Connell, James, J, M.D., editor, et al. "The Health Care of Homeless Persons: a Manual of Communicable Diseases & Common Problems in Shelters & On the Streets", Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, 2004. {Link without Title} There are many organizations providing free care all over the world for the homeless, but the services are in great demand given the limited number of medical practitioners helping. For example, it might take months to get a minimal dental appointment in a free-care clinic. Communicable diseases are of great concern, especially Tuberculosis , which spreads in the crowded homeless shelters in high density urban settings. Income sources 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 magazines: publications designed to provide employment opportunity to homeless people or others in need by street sale. 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. Homeless people have been known to commit crimes just to be sent to Jail or Prison for food and shelter. In police lingo, this is called "three hots and a cot" referring to the three hot daily meals and a cot to sleep on given to prisoners. Similarly a homeless person may approach a hospital's emergency department and fake a physical or mental illness in order to receive food and shelter. MAIN CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS in Paris, December 2006-January 2007, put there by the Enfants de Don Quichotte NGO (videos available on site).]] The major reasons and causes for homelessness as documented by many reports and studies include: United States Conference Of Mayors , "A Status Report on Hunger and Homelessness in America's Cities: a 27-city survey", December 2001.United States Conference of Mayors, , December 2005, "Main Causes of Homelessness", p.63-64. {Link without Title}
The high cost of housing is a by-product of the general distribution of wealth and income. The rate of homelessness has also been impacted by the reduction of household size witnessed in the last half of the 20th century. Individuals who are incapable of maintaining employment and managing their lives effectively due to prolonged and severe drug and/or alcohol abuse make up a substantial percentage of the U.S. homeless population.Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (2006-09-17). Homelessness: The Causes and Facts . Retrieved 2006-05-10 . The link between substance abuse and homelessness is partially caused by the fact that the behavioral patterns associated with addiction can alienate an addicted individual's family and friends who could otherwise provide a safety net against homelessness during difficult economic times. Increased wealth and income inequality have caused distortions in the housing market that push rent burdens higher, thereby decreasing the availability of affordable housing. Some homeless individuals choose not to have a permanent residence, including travelers and those who have personal spiritual/religious convictions (as yogis in India ). Most researchers feel the population of individuals who choose not to have a permanent residence is negligible. Many people who respond that they "prefer" the homeless lifestyle suffer from mental illness, trauma or have adapted to the lifestyle and the response reflects a socially-desirable response or justification rather than having no real desire for stable shelter. There is an initiative in the United States, to help the homeless get re-integrated into society, and out of homeless shelters, called " Housing First ". It was initiated by the federal government's Interagency Council on Homelessness. It asks cities to come up with a plan to end chronic homelessness. In this direction, there is the belief that if homeless people are given independent housing to start off with, with some proper social supports, then there would be no need for emergency homeless shelters, which it considers a good outcome. This is a very controversial position.Graves, Florence; Sayfan, Hadar, "First things first: 'Housing first,' a radical new approach to ending chronic homelessness, is gaining ground in Boston" , Boston Globe, Sunday, June 24, 2007. PRE-DISPOSING FACTORS TO HOMELESSNESS in Los Angeles, CA ]].]] Most researchers attempt to make a distinction between: 1) why homelessness exists, in general, and 2) who is at-risk of homelessness, in specific. Homelessness has always existed since urbanization and industrialization. Factors placing an individual at high-risk of homelessness include:
HOMELESSNESS IN SPECIFIC COUNTRIES See Also: Homelessness in the United States See Also: Homelessness in Canada See Also: Homelessness in Australia See Also: Homelessness in the United Kingdom See Also: Homelessness in Europe 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, and estimates of homelessness made by different organisations vary wildly, so comparisons should be made with caution. : 2004) :: 2005) : Canada : 150,000 (National Homelessness Initiative - Government of Canada) Government of Canada, "National Homelessness Initiative: Working Together" :: 2001 Census)Australian Bureau of Statistics, "Housing Arrangements: Homelessness", 2004. {Link without Title} :. 10 January 2006 . : Japan : 20,000-100,000 (some figures put it at 200,000-400,000) "In pictures: Japan's homeless", BBC News. Developing and undeveloped countries 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. Some organisations estimate that $19 billion a year is needed to end hunger associated with homelessness. Homelessness - The Borgen Project HISTORY OF HOMELESSNESS In the sixteenth century in England, the state first tried to give housing to vagrants instead of punishing them, by introducing Bridewell s to take vagrants and train them for a profession. In the eighteenth century, these were replaced by workhouses but these were intended to discourage too much reliance on state help. These were later replaced by dormitory housing ("spikes") provided by local boroughs, and these were researched by the writer George Orwell . By the 1930s in England, there were 30,000 people living in these facilities. In the 1960s, the nature and growing problem of homelessness changed for the worse in England, with public concern growing. The number of people living "rough" in the streets had increased dramatically. However, beginning with the Conservative administration's Rough Sleeper Initiative, the number of people sleeping rough in London has fallen from over 1,000 in 1990 to less than 200 in 2006. This initiative was supported further by the incoming Labour administration from 1997 onwards with the publication of the 'Coming in from the Cold' strategy published by the Rough Sleepers Unit, which proposed and delivered a massive increase in the number of hostel bed spaces in the capital and an increase in funding for street outreach teams, who work with rough sleepers to enable them to access services. In general, in most countries, many towns and cities had an area which contained the poor, transients, and afflicted, such as a " Skid Row ". In New York City, for example, there was an area known as " The Bowery ", traditionally, where Alcoholics were to be found sleeping on the streets, bottle in hand. This resulted in rescue missions, such as the oldest homeless shelter in New York City, The Bowery Mission, founded in 1879 by the Rev. and Mrs. A.G. Ruliffson.The Bowery Mission For a history see [http://www.bowery.org/reference/history.htm In smaller towns, there were Hobo s, who temporarily lived near train tracks and hopped onto trains to various destinations. Especially following the American Civil War , a large number of homeless men formed part of a counterculture known as "hobohemia" all over America.Depastino, Todd, "Citizen Hobo: How a Century of Homelessness Shaped America" {Link without Title} Although not specifically about the homeless, Jacob Riis wrote about, documented, and photographed the poor and destitute in New York City Tenements in the late 1800s. He wrote a ground-breaking book including such material in " How The Other Half Lives " in 1890, which inspired Jack London 's '' The People Of The Abyss '' (1903). Public awareness was raised by this, causing some changes in building codes and some social conditions. However, modern homelessness as we know it, started as a result of the economic stresses in society, reduction in the availability of affordable housing, such as SRO s, for poorer people. In the United States, in the late 1970s, the Deinstitutionalisation of patients from state psychiatric hospitals was a precipitating factor which seeded the homeless population, especially in urban areas such as New York City.Scherl D.J., Macht L.B., "Deinstitutionalization in the absence of consensus", Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 1979 Sep;30(9):599-604 {Link without Title} The ;305(6):339-42. {Link without Title} Also, as real estate prices and neighborhood pressure increased to move these people out of their areas, the SROs diminished in number, putting most of their residents in the streets. Other populations were mixed in later, such as people losing their homes for economic reasons, and those with addictions, the elderly, and others. Many places where people were once allowed freely to loiter, or purposefully be present, such as churches, public libraries and public atriums, became more strict as the homeless population grew larger and congregated in these places more than ever. As a result, many churches closed their doors when services were not being held, libraries enforced a "no eyes shut" and sometimes a dress policy, and most places hired private security guards to carry out these policies, creating a social tension. Many public toilets were closed. This banished the homeless population to sidewalks, parks, under bridges, and the like. They also lived in the subway and railroad tunnels in New York City. They seemingly became socially invisible, which was the intention of many of the enforcement policies. The homeless shelters, which were generally night shelters, made the homeless leave in the morning to whatever they could manage and return in the evening when the beds in the shelters opened up again for sleeping. There were some daytime shelters where the homeless could go, instead of being stranded on the streets, and they could be helped, get counseling, avail themselves of resources, meals, and otherwise spend their day until returning to their overnight sleeping arrangements. An example of such a day center shelter model is Saint Francis House in Boston , Massachusetts , founded in the early 1980s, which opens for the homeless all year long during the daytime hours and was originally based on the Settlement House model. Keane, Thomas, Jr., "Greiff's activism isn't just a good act" , Friday, July 4, 2003 There was also the reality of the "bag" people, the shopping cart people, and the soda can collectors. These people carried around all their possessions with them all the time since they had no place to store them. If they had no access to or capability to get to a shelter and possible bathing, or access to toilets and laundry facilities, their hygiene was lacking. This again created social tensions in public places. These conditions created an upsurge in Tuberculosis and other diseases in urban areas. In 1979, a New York City lawyer, Robert Hayes, brought a class action suit before the courts, Callahan v. Carey, against the City and State, arguing for a person's state constitutional "right to shelter". It was settled as a consent decree in August 1981. The City and State agreed to provide board and shelter to all homeless men who met the need standard for welfare or who were homeless by certain other standards. By 1983 this right was extended to homeless women. By the mid-1980s, there was also a dramatic increase in family homelessness. Tied into this was an increasing number of impoverished and runaway children, teenagers, and young adults, which created a new sub-stratum of the homeless population. Also, in the 1980s, in the United States, some federal legislation was introduced for the homeless as a result of the work of Congressman Stewart B. McKinney . In 1987, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was enacted. Several organisations in some cities, such as New York and Boston, tried to be inventive about help to the swelling number of homeless people. In New York City, for example, in 1989, the first , which adopts the Housing First philosophy in providing housing for those homeless with mental health issues. In 2002, research showed that children and families were the largest growing segment of the homeless in America,FACS, "Homeless Children, Poverty, Faith and Community: Understanding and Reporting the Local Story", March 26 2002 Akron, Ohio. {Link without Title} National Coalition for the Homeless, "Homeless Youth" 2005 and this has presented new challenges, especially in services, to agencies. Back in the 1990s, a teenager from New York, Liz Murray , was homeless at fifteen years old, and overcame that and went on to study at Harvard University. Her story was made into an Emmy-winning film in 2003, "Homeless to Harvard". Some trends involving the plight of the homeless have provoked some thought, reflection and debate. One such phenomenon is paid physical advertising, colloquially known as " in the United States in the 1930s. VIOLENT CRIMES AGAINST THE HOMELESS There have been many violent crimes committed against the homeless. A recent study in 2007 found that this number is increasing. Lewan, Todd, "Unprovoked Beatings of Homeless Soaring" , Associated Press , April 8, 2007. National Coalition For The Homeless , Hate, "Violence, and Death on Main Street USA: A report on Hate Crimes and Violence Against People Experiencing Homelessness, 2006" , February 2007. HOMELESSNESS IN THE POPULAR MEDIA Popular films
Books
Documentary films
TV documentaries
Visual Arts
SEE ALSO Other itinerant or homeless people or terms for this condition
Socieconomic issues or aspects of homeless life
Miscellaneous homelessness-related articles REFERENCES BIBLIOGRAPHY
EXTERNAL LINKS
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