Introduction
Homelessness is one of the leading social issues the United States is currently dealing with. It is one of the problems that has been rising rapidly and worsened in recent years following the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic (Lenhard et al., 2023). It appears from the economic output that the nation produces a plentiful supply of resources each year, which is available to people who are homeless.
Small enterprises and various housing options have helped many people address the local housing problem (Lenhard et al., 2023). Though it does not eliminate the problem, the disparity between people living in the streets and the rest of the community increases. The fact that so many individuals still live beneath bridges throughout the city proves that the issue of homelessness persists.
When the individual becomes homeless, they typically lose the opportunity to integrate into society again. They lose their job, develop substance addictions, and become chronically ill due to illnesses they have no chance to cure. The problem of homelessness should be addressed on both national and local levels as a significant concern in the modern community.
Definition and Context
People who are homeless are those who either lack secure, suitable permanent residence or are unable to find reasonable accommodation. According to the investigation, over 500,000 Americans are homeless, spending their nights on the streets and in shelters. Out of that total, 48% of people experiencing homelessness are disabled, 35% are kids, and 10% are former service members (Box et al., 2022). In other words, almost three million people in the United States of America are homeless (Box et al., 2022). These numbers show that the problem of homelessness is significant, and it affects many people who belong to various vulnerable populations.
The problem of homelessness is closely tied to broader socioeconomic trends, structures, and institutions. First, it is a public health concern that not only endangers homeless people but also creates a danger to other members of society (Perri et al., 2020). Since homelessness prevents people from accessing the necessities of life, such as water, shelter, and food, it poses a serious hygienic problem that requires attention (Perri et al., 2020). Additionally, the fact that it impacts every community member is another factor that makes it a concern on the local and national levels. Subsequently, homeless people have been compelled to dispose of their waste in public areas because they lack access to facilities and are not permitted to use those that companies and public spaces provide.
Homelessness is the cause and the consequence of mental health troubles people experience. According to the research, 48% of those who are homeless experience a form of mental illness (Rodriguez et al., 2023). From one point of view, homelessness is the consequence of people’s mental problems. However, from another perspective, it is a direct consequence of being unable to participate in society and access the same resources and opportunities as other individuals.
Many homeless persons have worse health statuses than individuals in the broader community and are more prone to mental and physical illnesses (Rodriguez et al., 2023). They are more likely to incur illnesses and death if they are homeless (Rodriguez et al., 2023). It allows stating that homelessness affects the populations suffering from mental disorders more than other demographics. Still, at the same time, it triggers unfavorable consequences for all people who lose their homes.
Impact on Society
Homelessness can be discussed from several perspectives, focusing on its impact on society as a whole and on the individual. From the perspective of conflict theory, homelessness is a direct consequence of the United States’ capitalist economic order (Augustine & Kushel, 2022). There is a clear distinction between the lower and upper social and economic classes in a capitalistic country, and more privileged people from the upper classes exploit those who are more vulnerable.
As a result, those individuals who cannot cope with the competition in the market economy become poor and then homeless. A peculiar detail is that homelessness is typically associated with characteristics such as the person’s perceived laziness, lack of education, and a desire to change their lives, often leading them to prefer living on welfare (Augustine & Kushel, 2022). No need to say that this attitude, typical in the capitalist economy, aggravates the gap between social groups and increases the homeless population’s stratification.
As mentioned, another notion that might be relevant to homelessness is related to the mental health problems these people typically have or psychopathology. The theory is primarily focused on mental disease, which is why homelessness is strongly tied to it (Augustine & Kushel, 2022). Compared with the overall population, most homeless people are vulnerable to mental health issues, making them dangerous to themselves and, in some instances, to other people (Augustine & Kushel, 2022).
Homeless individuals may benefit from the theory because they will discover how to deal with their psychological disorders. For example, the crime rate among homeless people can be explained by their need to provide themselves with basic needs and their mental problems (Augustine & Kushel, 2022). Numerous homeless individuals battle various mental illnesses like schizophrenia and other mental disorders; nevertheless, they are compelled to live on the streets and on their own because they lack access to assistance. Homeless people constantly worry about where they will sleep at night, what they will eat, and what they will wear daily.
Ways to Solve the Problem
There are several strategies for addressing homelessness as a community concern. Social workers should not disregard the social problem of homelessness; it is vital to emphasize it at the state and local levels. Training and chances to participate in various initiatives to develop the workforce are made available to social service providers, along with other specialists. These programs help them prepare with comprehensive and collaborative methods to address the issue of homelessness in the community.
In addition to this training, local communities are taking measures that will undoubtedly help address the housing shortage. Among these initiatives are quick rehousing, shelters, and transitional housing for individuals experiencing homelessness (Lenhard et al., 2023). Offering housing and assistance programs is one way that various American cities are addressing the issue of homelessness.
The cognitive behavioral approach is another theory that can help the community solve the problem of homelessness, and it can be implemented at both the local and interpersonal levels. The majority of homeless individuals tend to have a negative outlook on their circumstances (Lenhard et al., 2023). Others are continuously suicidal because they feel unfortunate, while others are continually trying to figure out why they ended up on the streets.
Many homeless people cope with anxiety as a result of their existing circumstances, in addition to having medical and mental health problems (Lenhard et al., 2023). Professionals can apply the principles of cognitive-behavioral theory to help transform their customers’ negative thoughts into more positive ones (Lenhard et al., 2023). The concept can help people experiencing homelessness recognize their unhelpful or negative emotions, view their circumstances, and effectively handle them. These individuals can manage their challenging conditions with the aid of this theory.
Some methods must be fully applied if the homelessness problem is to be resolved. It is crucial to realize that social and advocacy techniques have long been used to address the more significant issue of homelessness (Lenhard et al., 2023). Diverse advocacy groups ensure that the authorities implement the necessary policies to support people without housing and reduce homelessness in communities. The police ensure that they are allowed to express how they believe they can be helped.
Another tactic is to inform the public about the persistent social problem and the existing laws (Lenhard et al., 2023). Therefore, the issue of homelessness should also be addressed on the federal and legislative levels to regulate this situation.
Conclusion
Homelessness is a complicated social problem that features many aspects, including the health concerns of these populations, their inability to integrate into the community, and increased crime rates caused by this phenomenon. These issues should be addressed on national, local, and personal levels, which means that all members of the community should contribute to positive change. Affordable housing initiatives, shelters, professional training, and health assistance are among the efforts that society can make to eliminate the problem of homelessness. In other words, there should be several approaches to address the issue of homelessness, aiming to eliminate its adverse effects or at least mitigate them.
References
Augustine, D., & Kushel, M. (2022). Community supervision, housing insecurity, and homelessness. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 701(1), 152–171.
Box, E., Flatau, P., & Lester, L. (2022). Women sleeping rough: The health, social and economic costs of homelessness. Health & Social Care in the Community, 30(6), e4175–e4190.
Lenhard, J., Margetts, M., & Meng, E. (2023). Of not passing: homelessness, addiction, mental health and care during COVID-19. Medical Humanities, 49(1), 55–63.
Perri, M., Dosani, N., & Hwang, S. W. (2020). COVID-19 and people experiencing homelessness: challenges and mitigation strategies. CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal, 192(26), E716–E719.
Rodriguez, L. A., Thomas, T. W., Finertie, H., Wiley, D., Dyer, W. T., Sanchez, P. E., Yassin, M., Banerjee, S., Adams, A., & Schmittdiel, J. A. (2023). Identifying predictors of homelessness among adults in a large integrated health system in Northern California. The Permanente Journal, 27(1), 56–71.