Homelessness-What Can We Do to Prevent It?

Living on the streets is something no one should have to experience. Homelessness is something that is certainly tragic, and often ignored.

Many Americans witness homelessness on a day to day basis. On their way to work, for example, many big city residents may pass at least 4-5 homeless people on a regular basis. It is also not uncommon to see at least 2-3 homeless people holding signs who are hungry and often ignored in big cities.

Homelessness is defined as the condition and social category of people who lack fixed housing, usually because they cannot afford a regular, safe and adequate shelter. It may also include those whose regular nighttime residence is in a homeless shelter.

Accoding to wikipedia, approximately 100 million people around the globe are homeless. Other terms for homelessness include vagrant, tramp, hobo, transient, bum, bagman/woman and wandering poor. Each of these terms is considered derogatory.

There are a small number of people who are voluntarily homeless. These people are considered nomads. Gypsy travellers in Europe for example, are considered to have planned mobility rather than forced.

There are many places in this country where homeless people have the option of refuge. Outdoors, someone who is homeless may provide refuge in a sleeping bag, tent or improvised shelter. Some also take refuge in a campsite, typically near rail yards. Other places of refuge include derlict structures such as abandoned buildings or boats, vehicles or public places. Parks, bus or train stations, airports and hospital lobbies are also often sought after by homeless people.

Homelessness is often a fact of life, and many Americans are aware of its tragic effects and perhaps unaware of the causes. Many people assume homelessness to be the result of drugs, crime or lack of effort to find a job. This is an unfortunate stigma attached to poverty and it is often untrue.

In the recent film, "Conversations With God" a homeless man wound up homeless because he was in an accident and lost his job rather suddenly. Without a family to support him, he was left with no money and no ability to pay rent. He was soon evicted and ended up living in a park, unable to find work.

These situations are not unusual, and it is often extremely difficult for anyone who is homeless to find work. They are often considered to be in poor physical condition or poor appearance which likely turns potential employers off.

Another challenge for homeless persons is health care. Homeless people are more likely to suffer injuries, illnesses and other medical problems. Due to poor nutrition, substance abuse, exposure to severe weather and violence makes homeless people more vulnerable to medical problems.

There are many organizations who exist with the purpose to end homelessness, and provide assistance to those are are homeless. Free-care clinics often exist in major cities, however, they are typically over-burdened with patients.

There are also several non-profit organizations, such as Goodwill, which have the purpose of providing skill development and work opportunities to those with barriers. One such barrier is that of homelessness.

Begging or panhandling is typically the only way homeless people can attain any income. There is also often can gathering that some homeless people do to gain the refund on the cans.

Another unfortunate outcome of homelessness is that many homeless intentionally commit crimes in order to have the shelter of a jail.

The main causes of homelessness are lack of affordable housing, substance abuse, mental illness, domestic violence, poverty, prison release, lack of affordable healthcare, natural disaster and lack of education.

Another cause of homelessness is increased wealth and income inequality. This has made the housing market less affordable and rent is much higher.

The mid-1980s included a dramatic increase in family homelessness. Due to this, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was enacted in 1987. The act provides federal money for shelter programs. The legislation has been amended several times since its initial beginning.

There are several organizations that exist to support homelessness. One such organization is the World for World, which is in existence to fight world homelessness.

The organization is based in Italy and was established in October of 2001 on World Hunger Day. The Organization is also known as WFWO. The organization works towards sustainable local development projects.

Some of the ways the organization helps is by helping people build assets that will benefit them directly and by promoting self-reliance of poor people and communities.

For more information on World for World, visit worldforworld.org