Can Government Interventions End Homelessness?
Can Government Interventions End Homelessness?
Homelessness is a societal epidemic that traps individuals and families in cycles of poverty and instability. Homelessness can be defined as the state of lacking permanent, adequate housing. People who experience homelessness may live in shelters, transitional housing, or on the streets. The implications of homelessness on individual lives as well as greater communities are far reaching. Research has shown that those without a stable home are more likely to suffer from mental health and physical health problems, they are at risk of falling into substance abuse, and face frequent violence and exploitation (Padgett, 2020). The lack of safe and secure housing can also lead to impaired accessibility to education and employment, which ultimately perpetuates a cycle of poverty and inequality. As the number of homelessness continues to rise in the United States and specifically becomes more prevalent in Portland, Oregon, it is crucial to recognize the urgency of this issue and demand immediate action from those in power.
Tackling homelessness demands a comprehensive approach that recognizes the interplay of contributing factors. We must move beyond mere awareness and demand concrete action from our leaders, holding them accountable for their role in addressing homelessness. In doing so, society can dismantle the structures that perpetuate homelessness and create a more equitable and essentially livable world.
How widespread is homelessness?
On a given night in 2020, there were an estimated 580,466 people experiencing homelessness in the United States. This number includes people living in shelters, transitional housing, and on the streets. (HUD Public Affairs, 2022)
What are the causes of homelessness?
Homelessness is a complex and multifaceted issue, deeply rooted in a web of factors. Tackling this societal epidemic demands the recognition of the interplay of these factors and should prioritize holding the government accountable for its role in addressing this crisis.
Affordability has become a major challenge in securing stable housing, particularly in urban areas where the cost of living has skyrocketed beyond the reach of many individuals and families. This financial burden often forces people to make difficult choices between basic necessities such as food and medicine, and leaves them unable to afford rent and secure stable housing. Subsequently, people fall into cyclic patterns of poverty. Individuals and families with limited financial resources struggle to meet basic needs such as food, clothing, and healthcare, which leaves little room for housing costs. This financial hardship can quickly lead to victims getting forced out of homes, losing their jobs, and the ultimate downward spiral into homelessness.
Unemployment further exacerbates the issue, as job loss can lead to financial instability and difficulty maintaining housing costs. With limited financial resources and a shrinking job market, individuals may find it challenging to secure employment, further increasing their vulnerability to financial deficits and subsequent homelessness.
Mental illness, a complex and often misunderstood issue, can contribute to homelessness in a variety of ways. Individuals with mental health issues might struggle with maintaining employment, making it difficult to sustain rent for stable housing. Additionally, the stigma associated with mental illness can lead to social isolation, lack of support, and difficulty accessing necessary treatment–which further increases the risk of homelessness.
Along with this, the social epidemic of substance abuse also plays large roles in perpetuating homelessness cycles. Substance abuse can result in financial difficulties, strained relationships, and difficulty maintaining employment, which all contribute to housing instability. Additionally, individuals struggling with substance abuse may face difficulty finding affordable housing due to discrimination from landlords or property managers.
So what are the government's roles in addressing homelessness?
The federal government plays a leading role in addressing homelessness through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD provides funding for a variety of programs, including:
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants program, which provides funding to communities to provide shelter and services to people experiencing homelessness
The Supportive Housing for the Elderly program, which provides funding for affordable housing for low-income seniors with disabilities
The Shelter Plus Care program, which provides funding for affordable housing and supportive services for people with disabilities who are experiencing homelessness
In addition to federal funding, state and local governments also play a role in addressing homelessness. For example, many states and cities have their own homeless assistance programs and provide funding for shelters and other services as mentioned before regarding Oregon initiatives.
One example of state level action that can inspire federal action was the Oregon Statewide Housing Plan (OHCS) that reported great progress towards serving the affordable housing initiative within the last five years. OHCS reports to have stabilized 86% of households of the homeless population for 6 months or longer, providing reasonable time for these individuals to redirect their job search and financial stability. Along with this, their work with the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program has worked to stabilize thousands of families and prevent them from slipping into homelessness. While these are only local examples of effective affordable housing initiatives, it illustrates the instrumental role that state level and federal level initiatives can have towards the solution to homelessness.
There is no doubt that government interventions can play a crucial role in ending homelessness. Although it would be a controversial and strong statement to accuse the government of causing homelessness in the United States. It is important to reflect on these root causes and ask ourselves to what extent does the government play the leading role in perpetuating homelessness, and how can they be held accountable?
It is clear that government policies and actions can have a major impact on housing affordability and poverty levels. Consider the role of livable wages in ensuring that individuals and families can afford decent housing. When wages fail to keep pace with the rising cost of living, securing adequate housing becomes increasingly challenging, pushing people closer and closer to the brink of homelessness.
Similarly, government policies that promote sustainable land use and encourage the development of affordable housing options can directly impact the availability of housing for low-income individuals and families. Along with this, government initiatives aimed at reducing poverty, such as expanding access to education, job training, and healthcare accessibility, can also address the root causes of homelessness. These initiatives can prevent individuals from falling into a never ending cycle of financial and housing instability.
There is compelling evidence to suggest that government interventions can be effective in reducing homelessness. For example, a 2019 study by the National Alliance to End Homelessness found that communities that implemented evidence-based approaches to reducing homelessness saw a significant decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness. By acknowledging evidence that demonstrates a direct correlation between unlivable wages and rising homelessness, we can take a more spearheaded approach towards preventing homelessness.
Evidently, there is a great variety of challenges that are faced when addressing the homelessness epidemic. Alongside the aforementioned root causes, there is also a lack of public awareness about the issue of homelessness and a lack of political will to address the problem. In order to take on more effective initiatives towards preventing homelessness, society must become aware of the urgency of the issue and turn to political leaders for action. By referencing compelling evidence and identifying the root causes of homelessness, the government can be held accountable for their insufficient intervention and ultimate role in perpetuating the issue. It is clear that a great amount of effort from all levels of government and society is required to achieve our goals. Alongside federal action, local individuals must engage in advocacy efforts, raising awareness about the issue and demanding action from those in power. Ultimately, we share equal obligations towards maintaining accountability and ensuring the timely execution of initiatives in order to end homelessness.
Sources and references
National Alliance to End Homelessness: https://endhomelessness.org/
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: https://www.hud.gov/
National Low Income Housing Coalition: https://nlihc.org/
Urban Institute: https://www.urban.org/
National Coalition for the Homeless: https://nationalhomeless.org/
Oregon Statewide Housing Plan:
Comments
Post a Comment