Problem Of Homelessness In America

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Homelessness has become a major problem in America. Millions of people experience homelessness every year. For example, “While the federal government reports 1.5 million people a year experience homelessness, other estimates find up to twice this number of people are actually without housing in any given year”(National Health Care for the Homeless Council). There are many things that can lead to homelessness, such as, economic stress, medical health conditions, or social inequities. Natural disasters leave thousands of people without housing. Other issues like generational poverty and financial misfortunes can make it difficult to get proper housing. Some problems that lead to homelessness are inflation, health conditions, and lack of housing. …show more content…
Another problem is a lack of housing. Housing services were established in the early twenty-first century to help assist people and families without housing, they also did emergency shelters and transitional housing. However, they were unable to keep up with the demand for affordable housing. For example, “According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, 6.8 million more affordable housing units were needed to house the nation's 10.8 million extremely low-income families in 2021”("Homelessness"). There is not enough housing for the people that need it. Low income households are usually unemployed for a variety of reasons “such as a challenging labor market; limited education; a gap in work history; a criminal record; unreliable transportation or unstable housing; poor health or a disability.” If they are employed and low income, their wages do not keep up with increasing housing prices and leaves them more at risk for becoming homeless. For example, “Too little income combined with the dwindling availability of low-cost housing leaves many people at risk of becoming homeless”(National Alliance to End …show more content…
Increasing employment opportunities and income will be helpful for people struggling with homelessness as it can help them be able to afford rent and maintain or get housing. There are people who argue against Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. For example, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families helps people with unemployment compensation and economic crises. However, “people experiencing homelessness find these programs to be inaccessible and the benefits offered may be insufficient to help them achieve stability”("Homelessness"). They state that even though it is helpful, the program is inaccessible and the benefits they get are not sufficient enough to become stable. However, many people have been able to avoid homelessness with this program. For example, “TANF assistance can be made more readily accessible to families experiencing a housing crisis that might help avert homelessness for some”(National Alliance to End Homelessness). This program is very helpful for low income people and families. In conclusion, homelessness is a major problem in