Poverty is a prevalent socio-economic issue in the US and worldwide, with an estimated 40 million people, or 12.3% of the population, classified as poor in the US in 2017 (ASPE, 2020). The official definition of poverty provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services considers families and individuals that do not have sufficient resources to “experience a minimal living standard” (2020). It, therefore, follows that these people are at a high risk of material hardships, such as an inability to provide adequate food and shelter for themselves and their dependents. However, it also means that they are likely to experience mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse (Walker et al., 2017). These issues are even more prevalent for poor and/or homeless single mothers, like in this scenario (Lu et al., 2019). Hence, it would be unethical to report the woman’s improved conditions – getting a job. Furthermore, simply because she is slightly above the requirement for subsidized housing does not give her a significant advantage, especially with three small children.
To help prevent homelessness for the woman in question and her children, I think it would be essential to provide mental support for her not to turn to alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism. Furthermore, it would be crucial to educate her on her options to help her maintain a stable address if she gets evicted – such as shelters. This would allow her to receive the benefits she is entitled to, which would help her eventually get back on her feet. Furthermore, although this might be the last resort, it could be helpful to voluntarily allow the authorities to place her children in foster care until the mother can provide for them.
References
Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. (2020).Poverty Estimates, Trends, and Analysis. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Web.
Lu, Y.-C., Walker, R., Richard, P., & Younis, M. (2019). Inequalities in Poverty and Income between Single Mothers and Fathers.International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(1), 135. Web.
Walker, E. R., & Druss, B. G. (2017). Cumulative burden of comorbid mental disorders, substance use disorders, chronic medical conditions, and poverty on health among adults in the U.S.A. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 22(6), 727-735. Web.