Throughout the world it is impossible to count the exact amount of homeless, but it is known to be millions. Every day in cities and towns across the country, men, women, and children dressed in rags walk the streets, often talking to visions and begging for money. Most are carrying plastic bags or pushing shopping carts filled with personal belongings. Sometimes they curl up on a bench or in a doorway under filthy blankets or ragged coats. If someone gives them money they may respond with prayers of thanks and blessings, or stare off into space feeling untouched by

"For the families leaving welfare for low wages, housing is hardly affordable." Subsidized housing is so limited that one in four TANF families live in public housing or receives a housing voucher to help pay for rent. "Many people apply for housing assistance but are most likely not housed right away due to a waiting list which can take up to years. So many people without homes remain homeless." In the less value and availability, welfare benefits have reduced or eliminated assistance for poor single people. (Encarta 10) "It seems as if no one or nothing has been done to let the state and government know that homelessness is more serious than they think. People throughout society along with people in poverty should complain more about the welfare and housing assistance and hope for a change. Since many states have not yet replaced the old welfare system with a better one, more people struggle to receive important necessities. An important part of the new system should allow families and individuals to earn an above poverty job and help them when work is not available." (Bender 20) Without a better system many people are headed toward the same path as the homeless and still remain unknown.

The increase in poverty is made up by high unemployment and less availability of public assistance. "Due to the growth of the economy and high unemployment," suggests H.U.D. headquarter, "homelessness will continue to increase." Within the recent years, there has been a growth in lower wages, which in 1997 was 18.1% less than in 1979. (National Homeless 3) "Since wages have been a major concern for many workers, it must be extremely complicated for those people who are either poor or homeless. Most people in society think that homeless people don't work." Although, a survey of 30 U.S. cities found that almost one in five homeless individuals are employed. In other cities and states not surveyed the percentage is even higher. (National Homeless 6) "Therefore, not all homeless are lazy bums who choose not to work. Especially since the future of job growth may not happen, many homeless individuals have no choice but to be jobless." In 1998, a study founded by the government estimated that 46% of jobs with the most growth between 1994 and 2005 pay less than 16,000 dollars a year. (Encarta 4) "With low wages, how can it possibly raise families out of poverty and expect to make a difference? Work provides no escape and has not been equally given. Instead given at the top of income and wealth."

During the 1980's, the homeless population contained many addicted people, especially single men. Many reasons especially stress can be the cause of addiction. People who choose to drink alcohol and/or use drugs are not a major cause of homelessness. Although those individuals who a poor and addicted, will most likely end up homeless. (Balum 15) "When faced with such situations, help is needed. Treatments are a good source but commitment is required. In some cases, commitment can mean too much therefore the homeless turn down help."

All throughout the world, battered women who also live in poverty are often forced to choose between abusive relationships and homelessness. Some women even have children therefore a decision becomes more complicated. "In such situations, women feel that their lives are at high risk. Even though we have programs for battered women, with all the killings, rapists, and thieves, society becomes an issue. Most women fear to take advantage of help or use shelters. So with no other escape women choose to suffer a bad relationship while pretending everything is normal rather than risking their lives in the outside world." It is known in 46 cities in 1998, that domestic violence is one major cause of homelessness. (Berick 14) "Without more strict laws and more support for violence, more individuals will continue to suffer."

While discovering the homeless population, about 20-25% of the adult indiv

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Approximate Word count = 2872
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)