Homeless individuals are not always a distinct and separate population. In fact, they live in a society where wealthy individuals are included. Most of them are disadvantaged because they lack the basic needs necessary for their well-being. Most of them cannot share much of what they have with each other. According to Umber & Karas (2010), homelessness is marked as a failure to provide basic security needs to the community (p. 45). 2% of the world’s inhabitants do not have a place to dwell in. Another 20% lack a pleasant place to live. The causes of homelessness reveal a complicated interplay between individual circumstances, systems failures, and structural factors. However, becoming homeless leads to health problems and abuse; thus, necessary measures should be laid down to improve the economic status of the affected individuals.
Structural Causes of Homelessness
One of the leading causes of homelessness is structural factors. Economic and social issues affect the prospect of individual living standards. One of the main factors is inadequate income flow, access to housing, health support, and discrimination from others. The instability of the economy, either internationally or locally, creates many challenges in earning cash for personal needs. Poor people are also vulnerable to difficulties in paying for various necessities such as food and housing, as well as providing education and health care for their children. Furthermore, the shortage of affordable and safe housing contributes to one’s becoming homeless. According to Thompson (2012), “Most Canadian families and other ordinary citizens pay 50% more of their income on house rent, making them at risk of becoming homeless” (p. 67). Perhaps, the resultant factor is the lack of safe and affordable housing nationwide. Moreover, discrimination is experienced and can hinder one from getting employment, better justice, and helpful services. Ethnic groups and sexual minorities are some individuals at risk of being discriminated against.
Failures in Welfare Health and Transition Support
Another cause is system failures. They occur when other systems providing support services fail, thus requiring vulnerable individuals to turn to the homeless sector, whereas other governmental bodies could have provided such support. Some examples of such system failures include difficulty in the transition from child welfare, poor discharge planning for individuals leaving the hospital, mental health problems, drug abuse facilities, and lack of support for individuals seeking shelter.
Personal Crisis Addiction and Domestic Violence
The final factor is individual and personal relationships. It applies to the personal state of affairs of the homeless individual, including traumatic events, such as natural calamities or job loss. Personal crises are another problem; families may break, or there may be misunderstandings among the members. The other one is mental health and drug addiction. One can be injured in the brain or may as well become a drunken addict. All these can cause homelessness since one is not able to control himself or herself. The logical problems here are extreme poverty and domestic violence (McCauslin, 1994, p. 89).
Housing Compassion and Community Support
There are possible solutions to end homelessness. One of them is spreading love among those who are affected. Usually, the affected are not seen as part of society; they are discriminated against in interactions with economically advantaged people. The living standard between the rich and the poor is always broader. It is for these reasons that the wealthy, the religious, and well-wishers offer their support instantly. Wealthy individuals with large mansions should provide some rooms at an affordable price to the needy. They should not discriminate against them but live with them since there are some services that such individuals could offer. Churches and temples should provide their support by contributing some money to buy foodstuffs and clothes. In most cases, religious bodies understand that helping a neighbor is a rewarding thing in life. Leaders should thus take steps by organizing some forums, which are essential in encouraging the development of supportive housing for individuals around them. Religious bodies should also have the responsibility of educating homeless individuals on living in a pleasant environment as well as avoiding drug use since it affects one’s life.
Training Young Adults for Employment
One other reason to note is training young workers. In most cases, young adults are always at high risk of becoming homeless after leaving institutions such as jail since they lack the necessary skills applicable to earning a living, thus ending up on the street. Training programs that focus on construction-related trades should be employed to stop such practices. Individuals or intended bodies should provide such training by educating young individuals and paying them some salary to support themselves as they open their businesses. Such programs will enable one to earn income and prevent homelessness (McCauslin, 1994, p. 89).
Early Intervention Before Eviction
The other way of preventing homelessness is intervening in time before someone is evicted from a particular house. Some landlords may evict a person who is not financially stable because he or she has failed to pay house rent on time. Research should thus be carried out on them to find a possible solution to solve problems as well as avoid potential actions which may lead to homelessness.
A Shared Governmental and Social Responsibility
It should be noted that homelessness is a major problem in today’s world. Government and other nongovernmental organizations should play their part in reducing the rate of homelessness among individuals in society. Individuals who are economically advantaged should assist the affected people and show them some love since they are of great importance in the community.
Reference
Umberson, D., & Karas, M. J. (October 08, 2010). Social affairs and wellbeing: A Flashpoint for Health guiding principle. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 51.
Thompson, T. (2012). Homelessness. Detroit: Greenhaven Press.
McCauslin, M. (1994). Homelessness. New York: Crestwood House.
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