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Another issue is prison release, because newly released inmates often have nowhere to live, they cannot get a job because they are convicted felons, and so they end up homeless. A frightening statistic is that there are so many young people that are homeless. Another group of researchers note, "A reliable determination of the prevalence of homelessness among adolescents is difficult to obtain, but the most recent and vigorous attempt estimates that there are more than one million youth nationwide who are homeless during any given 12-month period" (Johnson, Rew & Kouzekanani, 2006). Often, these young people are on the streets because of dysfunctional families. Many are runaways, who have left home because of anger and violence in the families, or sexual abuse. The researchers continue, "High rates of sexual abuse have been found among homeless and runaway adolescents" (Johnson, Rew & Kouzekanani, 2006). Yet another reason for homelessness is low-paying jobs. Minimum wage is $6.65 an hour, and that calculates to a little over $13,000 annually, which is well below the poverty level, and people working at minimum wage jobs cannot afford housing many times, so they become homeless.
There are certain outcomes of homelessness that affect people, too. Many people abuse drugs and alcohol, and become homeless because they are unable (or unwilling) to hold down jobs. This can lead to criminal activities by some homeless people, which often gives the entire homeless population a bad name. In addition, lack of education can lead to homelessness, because the less...
Any kind of disaster, from an illness to job loss could force them to be homeless.
How does the country solve the homeless problem? First, they need to address the issues that are making people homeless, such as unemployment, low paying jobs, dysfunctional families, and the mortgage crisis. They need to provide more low-income housing so that people have an alternative, they need to provide halfway houses or other places where newly released prisoners can get back on their feet, and women and children in abusive relationships can go and be safe. There will always be a percentage of the population that is homeless, that seems inevitable, but there are ways to solve the problem and get more people off the streets and into homes they can afford. It will take time, but it can be done.
References
Baggerly, J., & Zalaquett, C.P. (2006). A descriptive study of single adults in homeless shelters: Increasing counselors' knowledge and social action. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 34(3), 155+.
Johnson, R.J., Rew, L., & Kouzekanani, K. (2006). Gender differences in victimized homeless adolescents. Adolescence, 41(161), 39+.
Koch, W. (2008). Homeless numbers 'alarming'. USA Today. 22. Oct.
Tompsett, C.J., Toro, P.A., Guzicki, M., Manrique, M., & Zatakia, J. (2006). Homelessness in the United States: Assessing changes in prevalence and public opinion, 1993-2001. American Journal of Community Psychology, 37(1-2), 47+.
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