The inability of homeless population to access same services from the public, command equal rights, and respect as well as get equal responsibilities like other social groups in society leaves this population at risk. Inequality among the homeless makes the study a social justice issue.
Homelessness may occur when a person is not able to secure a job in order to sustain herself/himself, hence cannot get permanent accommodation.
With great social stratification and classiness, this group is classified as the have-nots who cannot afford basic life needs (Baum & Burnes, 1993). Consequently, stereotyping maintains the gap between the homeless and those with permanent structures.
In a socially unjust society, the homeless are seen as outcasts given that they are burdensome and source of insecurity to society.
With wealth and power dictating what the society can accord an individual or a group, the homeless become invisible, and have no assurance of equal rights as other people.
For one to lack accommodation, it implies that he/she has no educational qualification that could help in securing jobs. Injustice is also visible from the sense that a basic service like healthcare is only affordable to the wealthy.
Lack of basic services for the homeless coupled with negative perceptions that society holds on this social class make them lose personal identity (Turnbull, Muckle & Masters, 2007).
Since this group cannot afford basic life needs, it is less powerful, and in this highly capitalistic society, discrimination is rife on the homeless.
Besides, society has taken advantage of the homeless population by perpetrating abuses of all forms on them since they are economically invisible.
For instance, most homeless women have been involved in risky and unwanted sexual encounters in order to secure accommodation (Greif & Lee, 2008). Worse still, even government officers view them as people with no or less rights.
Therefore, in reporting incidences of rape and molestation, chances of taking appropriate action to arrest the wealthy perpetrators are less likely to occur. The justice system is skewed by viewing the homeless as being on the wrong at all time.
So cruel has the homelessness issue been in most parts of the world that necessary actions should be in place to assist in remedying the situation.
For example, in improving the conditions of the homeless, employers should review the employment requirements and level of competencies in order to absorb the unemployed homeless.
Some employers have been keen on applicants’ physical addresses when hiring; this is an act of oppression to the homeless, and should be removed (Connel, 2011).
In allowing this group to access jobs, insecurity will reduce given that most homeless youths in the streets only mug people to survive.
On the social front, Atlanta has to view homelessness as a human right issue by making sure that homeless children access schooling and are such persons are not victimized for not having places of residence (Wilkes, 2001).
With quality and compulsory education comes economic and social empowerment, thus enabling the group to afford permanent accommodation, nutritious foods, and healthcare for all.
There is need for public education to change societal perceptions on homeless people and even move away from the capitalistic nature to socialistic pattern. This strategy will help in forming a cohesive society where people care for each other.
Even though it is a difficult recommendation, the idea can reduce the wide gap in social stratification. In the end, the homeless will be able to enjoy equal rights as others do.
In making changes to the political system, the city of Atlanta should institute a housing policy that makes all political representatives responsible for constructing permanent and affordable housing for the homeless (Mitchell, 2003).
With the evolving problem of homelessness in Atlanta, the government should mobilize other private firms in raising funds towards constructing affordable houses.
Moreover, the government should acknowledge that it is not illegal to be homeless so that in instances of court cases with homeless people, justice works equally.
References
Baum, A. S., & Burnes, D. W. (1993). A nation in denial: the truth about homelessness. Boulder: Westview Press.
Connel, H. (2011). Veterans and homelessness: prevalance and prevention. Hauppauge, N.Y.: Nova Science Publishers.
Greif, M. J., & Lee, B. A. (2008). Homelessness and Hunger. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 49(1), 3-19.
Mitchell, D. (2003). The right to the city: social justice and the fight for public space. New York: Guilford Press.
Turnbull, J., Muckle, W., & Masters, C. (2007). Homelessness and health. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 177(9), 1065–1066. Web.
Wilkes, R. (2001). Case study analysis of the attitudes of elected officials regarding quality of life ordinances that impact the street homeless in Atlanta, Georgia, and San Francisco, California. Clark Atlanta University(CAU). Web.