Understanding the cause of homelessness
"Being homeless is often defined as sleeping on the streets. Although this is the most visible and severe form of homelessness, there are many other types of acute housing need. These include living in temporary accommodation, poor or overcrowded conditions, or being in mortgage arrears and under threat of re-possession." (Hope 1986) It is a symptom of many complex problems: mental illness, emotional instability, illiteracy, chronic substance abuse, unemployment, and, most basic of all, breakdown of the family structure. Anyone can become homeless and the reasons that force people into homelessness are many and varied. The leading cause, however, of homelessness in the United States is the inability of poor people to afford housing. "Housing costs have risen significantly over the last decade, while the incomes of poor and middle-class Americans have stagnated." (Erickson 1991) The millions of Americans who are unemployed or work in low-paying jobs are among the most vulnerable to becoming homeless. Therefore, homelessness, housing and income are inextricably linked. Low-income people are frequently unable to pay for housing, food, child-care, health care, and education. Difficult choices must be made when limited resources cove
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Income SSI, , Policy Institute, Urban Development, Urban Land, Housing Review, Americans Foscarinas, Children AFDC, minimum wage, low income, poor people, income housing, poverty line, low-income housing, risk homelessness, public assistance, shelters homeless people, homeless people, housing urban, urban land 1986,
Approximate Word count = 1372
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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