Combating Homelessness Research Paper

Combating Homelessness: A Solution to Raising Funds for Programs, Resources, and Shelters The County of Riverside California conducted a survey in 2015 that showed a 16% drop in the number of homeless individuals and a 17% drop in the number of chronically homeless individuals. Although it may seem like we are on the right track to reduce the numbers, homelessness is still a pressing issue in the Riverside county. But why should you care? Homelessness not only affects those who are out on the street, who face a higher risk of victimization, but could potentially influence the environment, crime, and the health of a community. There have already been attempts to combat this problem—that have sometimes been successful—but the focus taken …show more content…
One main problem that rises is that individuals use public places such as parks or under bridges/freeways as encampments. The Center of Problem-Oriented Policing is a non profit “organization comprising affiliated police practitioners, researchers, and universities dedicated to the advancement of problem-oriented policing”— their material has been used for police training as well as for college courses. The POPS Center defines an individual who reside in encampments as “unsheltered”; most who live in encampments are older males and minorities and most are addicted to alcohol or drugs. However only forty-four percent of the population lives in encampments (POPS Center). The COPS office, the community oriented policing services U.S department of services, highlights some of the health problems that can arise from homeless encampments. According to the COPS office, water supply near communities are at risk due to “inadequate human waste disposal at large encampments.” Camp fires or wood stoves can also become dangerous if they get out of control, which can lead to the killing of wildlife, vegetation, and habitats. While there are many negative impacts that can arise from these living conditions, the individuals also risk getting attacked every day they are out on the …show more content…
According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, 375 of the reported 1,437 attacks in 2013 have ended in the victim being killed. Shockingly most of the perpetrators of these attacks are males under the age of 30 and most of them were teenage boys. In 2013 most of the attacks were committed were in California and this consisted of 30%. Therefore, it important to not only help fund resources that will help individuals stay off the street but also to educate the public in order to change the negative way the homeless are seen by society (National Coalition for the Homeless). Most of the victims of these attacks were males older than forty; however homeless youth are also victims. In a study conducted that related substance abuse with victimization, “Young people experiencing homelessness frequently describe being raped and sexually assaulted, coerced into unwanted sexual activity, and engaging in street prostitution and survival sex” (Heerde and Hemphill, 2015). Although this does not directly affect others, it is still important to consider because no child or teenager should have to endure being sexually assaulted just to be able to survive. The study conducted showed that this correlated with substance abuse and even in that case, these young people should be able to seek and receive

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