Understanding Homelessness

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Source (American Addiction Centers)

    Homelessness has a myriad of different reasons it can happen. The similarity between all scenarios in which a person is experiencing homelessness is that each person is human. A popular belief is that homelessness is a choice. People believe there is a set amount of circumstances that cause homelessness and that it is a choice not to fight to get out of those problems. The problems can range from mental health issues to drug addiction. There is no one size fits all, and it is not a choice. 


Over the last few weeks, I have learned that there are many factors that can lead to homelessness. One big one that focuses on our class is how affordable housing, or the lack thereof, is a significant contributor to people not getting back on their feet. If you want to learn more about that subject and if affordable housing can help, click here. 


This lack of affordable housing is a big roadblock for those trying to overcome homelessness. However, it may not be as big of a contributor to the start of homelessness as other factors. Some of these factors I mentioned earlier, like drug addiction and mental illness, can be some of the hardest to overcome. They are obstacles s you cannot get over on your own. As a person, you have to be willing and able to ask for help, and a lot of times, that is not possible. It can be hard in a situation like this for loved ones to understand, to help. How can you help someone that does not know or accept that they need help. There are resources out there that can help with this; people who are trained in being able to provide the right information. The American Addiction Center and more information here. And remember everyone who experiences homelessness is human and deserves to be treated as such. 

John Bernards

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