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Homelessness

Taconya Quimbley

University of Kentucky

SW630-202: Intro Social Welfare Policy and Services (Fall 2023)

Shatova Buckner-Ramsey

5/10/2023
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Homelessness

The US homeless crisis affects millions of families. This essay will explain

homelessness briefly, using relevant statistics, identify the group most affected, frame it as a

social justice issue, and assess three federal, state, and municipal policies connected to

homelessness.

Definition of Homelessness

The term "homelessness" encompasses more than just a lack of housing; it also

captures the complex character of this social issue (Parsell, Clarke & Kuskoff, 2022). Being

without a permanent and secure place to live defines homelessness at its heart. Families with

housing insecurity often live in shelters, cars, or the streets. Beyond physical poverty,

economic, social, and psychological reasons create homelessness. Homelessness, domestic

violence, unemployment, mental illness, substance misuse, and poverty may contribute.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) documents show

startling U.S. homelessness as more than 170,000 of 2020's 580,466 homeless were

unsheltered (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2021). These results

illustrate that a big section of the population lacks a safe home, highlighting the problem.

Understand that real people with unique circumstances and stories are trying to escape

homelessness behind these statistics.

The Affected Groups

The demographic most affected by homelessness is diverse, yet some groups are

disproportionately afflicted. Statistics show that families, LGBTQ+ teens, mental health

patients, and veterans are particularly at risk.

Firstly, most US homeless people are veterans (Wood et al, 2022). PTSD, substance

abuse, and joblessness plague many veterans as they reintegrate into civilian life. Veterans

experiencing homelessness may be affected by these elements. The VA and several veteran-
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focused charities help veterans avoid homelessness by providing housing, mental health, and

job training.

Secondly, family rejection, prejudice, and bullying make LGBTQ+ youth more likely

to become homeless. Family rejection can leave LGBTQ+ youth without a home. LGBTQ+

youth make up a disproportionate fraction of homeless youth, according to the True Colors

Fund. To address this issue, services and support networks must be sensitive to the specific

needs of LGBTQ+ adolescents and be culturally competent (Robinson, 2020).

Many homeless people have schizophrenia, bipolar illness, or severe depression.

Mental illness stigma, lack of access to mental health care, and the difficulties of treating

mental health issues without housing can worsen homelessness. Offering supportive housing

with mental health services addresses the relationship between homelessness and mental

health.

In addition to single persons, homelessness affects families with children. Family

members with financial problems, domestic abuse, or eviction may not have a home

(Reppond & Bullock, 2020). Homeless children are more likely to have health concerns,

developmental delays, and school disruptions, making this condition extremely concerning.

By guaranteeing that homeless children and teens have access to support services and

education, initiatives like the McKinney-Vento Act seek to defend their rights and overall

well-being.

Framing Homelessness as a Social Justice Issue

Undoubtedly, homelessness is a social justice issue. Institutional failings in housing,

healthcare, and social services often cause it, not individual choices. The homeless'

disproportionate representation of impoverished groups including persons of color and the

disabled highlights society's rooted inequities. Anti-homelessness efforts must include human

rights and social justice.

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Analysis of Policies:

Federal Policy: The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

● Policy Description: Federal legislation known as the McKinney-Vento Act

provides financing for homeless shelters, assistance, and preventive initiatives.

Youth and children who are homeless are also guaranteed the right to an

education.

● Author(s)/Sponsors: It was first introduced by Rep. Stewart B. McKinney and

Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, and later politicians reauthorized and increased its

scope.

● Major Dates: Initially passed in 1987 and repeatedly renewed.

● Social Program: The McKinney-Vento Act paved the way for the adoption of

a number of initiatives, such as supportive housing initiatives and grants for

emergency shelters.

● Policy Evaluation: Monitoring the number of people serviced, enhancements

in homeless children's access to education, and beneficiary housing stability

are all part of the policy's evaluation.

State Policy (California): Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program (HHAPP)

● Policy Description: The Housing Development, Services, and Rent Assistance

Program (HHAPP) is a state-funded initiative in California that distributes

funding to local governments to address homelessness.

● Author(s)/Sponsors: sponsored by state lawmakers from California.

● Major Dates: launched in 2019.

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● Social Program: The HHAPP initiative has facilitated the construction of

affordable housing units and improved homeless people's access to supportive

services.

● Policy Evaluation: Monitoring the creation of new housing units, declines in

homelessness rates, and enhancements to program recipients' well-being are

all part of the evaluation process.

Local Policy (City of Seattle, Washington): Pathways Home

● Policy Description: Pathways Home is a local program in Seattle that aims to

combat homelessness by refocusing funding from transitional housing to quick

rehousing and long-term supportive housing.

● Author(s)/Sponsors: The City of Seattle developed and implemented this.

● Important Dates: Inaugurated in 2016.

● Social Program: Pathways Home inspired the city to invest in housing options

and case management services to assist people and families in escaping

homelessness.

● Policy Evaluation: Rapid rehousing program effectiveness, drops in the

number of persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness, and the efficiency

of the strategy are all measured as part of the evaluation.

In conclusion, homelessness is a complex social issue with widespread impacts.

Framing this issue as a social justice issue and analyzing policies at all levels of government

may reveal more about current efforts to tackle it. Federal, state, and municipal laws offer

funding, resources, and homes for homeless families and individuals. Continuous evaluation

should ensure that these policies achieve their goals and eliminate homelessness in our

society.
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References

Parsell, C., Clarke, A., & Kuskoff, E. (2022). Understanding responses to homelessness

during COVID-19: an examination of Australia. Housing Studies, 38(1), 8-21.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02673037.2020.1829564

Reppond, H. A., & Bullock, H. E. (2020). Reclaiming “good motherhood”: US mothers’

critical resistance in family homeless shelters. Feminism & Psychology, 30(1), 100-

120. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0959353519870220

Robinson, B. A. (2020). The lavender scare in homonormative times: Policing, hyper-

incarceration, and LGBTQ youth homelessness. Gender & Society, 34(2), 210-232.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0891243220906172

US Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2021). HUD releases 2020 Annual

Homeless Assessment Report Part 1: Homelessness Increasing Even Prior to Covid-

19 pandemic. https://www.usich.gov/news/hud-releases-2020-annual-homeless-

assessment-report-part-1/

Wood, L., Flatau, P., Seivwright, A., & Wood, N. (2022). Out of the trenches; prevalence of

Australian veterans among the homeless population and the implications for public

health. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 46(2), 134-141.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020023003369