Homelessness as a Social Problem in the United States and in Canada - Term Paper Example

Running head: homelessness 27th November Introduction Homelessness is a social problem whereby individuals are categorized as undergoing primary and secondary homelessness. For example, any person living in the streets and does not have a shelter within the scope of living is under secondary homelessness while on the other hand roofless persons are categorized in the primary homelessness. This paper seeks to discuss homelessness as a social problem in United States and in Canada. Individuals who are estimated to be homelessness in Canada are 200,000 to 300,000 while in United States the figure of homelessness individuals is approximately 750,000. The number of homelessness in United States seems to be high than in Canada but when homelessness is considered per capita; United States is lower than in Canada. Homelessness is mainly described as per children, elderly, families or even single individuals and thus why they have a common status of homelessness. Based on this social issue that is experienced in many countries, governments have come up with strategies to deal with the issue in an amicable way. Currently to eliminate this social problem, most countries have come up with national housing policy. For example, in 2008 Canada among the G8 countries was the only country which had not started national housing policy so deal with homelessness since it is a social problem. As compared with United States which is a G8, Canada has a national housing policy which is concerned with housing issues of the residents (Dupis, 2000). To eliminate this social problem of homelessness then an active national housing and homelessness policy need to be restructured by the Canadian federal government and thus the number of homelessness will be reduced like in the case of United States. As stated earlier, Canada is the only country among the G8 countries which does not have national housing policy. However, it does not mean that United States does not have the housing crisis. Though United States has national housing policy, the social problem of homelessness is triggered by drug addiction and mental health problems. These factors playa major role in increasing homelessness crisis in United States although the country has a mechanism it uses to deal with homelessness crisis. Due to this problem, United States has come up with another strategy which is enacted by Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) with an initiative housing first philosophy. This initiative which is operational ensures that all the homeless individuals move from the streets and other areas they live to their community based homes or apartments (Kozol, 2006). It does not matter whether the homelessness persons are in the state of addictions to drugs or they have mental problems. Housing first initiative does not consider this but they are taken from the streets to housing. As compared with Canada, the system is very different since Canadian system ensures that all the homelessness persons are moved using different levels of housing. The levels which are used then moves the affected individuals to independent housing but it is very difficult to deal with since it is a long process which seems to be like a cycle and thus instead of creating solution it makes the matter worse. The housing first initiative which is used in United States has really worked since more than 300 locations have adopted the initiative and have set a deadline of 10 years plan to make sure that homelessness ends. This is in contrast with Canada that does not have any plan to end homelessness as a social problem to Canadian residents. The action plan which is focused and business oriented is working and thus within the next ten years homelessness is expected to be solved completely in US. It would be beneficial if Canada can opt to use the strategy used by United States to end homelessness by setting end date which will be a commitment to the end of homelessness in Canada. The action plan which is being implemented in United States has been successful since in Philadelphia 50% reduction of homeless has been experienced. In Miami, the homelessness population has been reduced by 30%, Dallas has a reduction of 28%, Seattle got a reduction of 30% and San Francisco which has 26% reduction in homelessness population. This has been achieved through housing first initiative by the use of four Bs business plan, baseline, benchmarks, and budget. This means that the strategy which is used to eliminate homelessness under the housing first philosophy include the following. First a business plan is set, secondly the baselines are introduced and which account for homelessness, thirdly benchmarks are considered and lastly a budget is estimated to make sure that the 10 year action plan will be successful and thus ending homelessness. Poverty The cause of homelessness in United States is poverty for example 15% of the entire population are in poverty index. The 15% of the entire population is composed of 25% African American individuals while 26% are Native Americans. Those individuals who have four children and they earn $22,500 yearly are in poverty line. The single individuals who earn $11,000 per year are still in poverty line. This makes it impossible for individuals to have a good housing, health care, childcare and transportation and thus some becoming homeless since they are unable to raise the cost of living. 50% of Canadians use household income on shelter making while others are unable to raise the amount needed for their accommodation. Due to the poverty increase annually, more than 3.5 million individuals experience homelessness with 25% of the figures in the population being families while 40% are men who are veterans. Mental illness and substance abuse (addiction) Mental illnesses for example schizophrenia, depression among others are another cause of homelessness in United States which account for 20-25% of homeless population. The issue has been mentioned by 48% of the cities as the third greatest cause of homelessness. This is 6% of general population while in Canada. The Canadian Mental Health Association indicated that one third of homeless individuals have mental problems. The homeless individuals ranging approximately 67% reported mental illnesses and thus showing a high rate of homelessness in Canada as compared to that one of United States. On the other hand, addiction just like mental illness contribute greatly to homelessness since if an individual has a mental illness or is addicted to drugs it mean that he or she cannot secure good employment or housing. Homelessness leads to mental illness or addiction to drugs due to frustrations thus increasing homelessness rate. For example, in Canada 68% of homeless individuals are known to be using substance abuse while on the other hand 25% of the total population suffers from drug abuse in United States. Those who suffer from alcohol abuse are 35% in US but it is unclear what population is homelessness due to the usage of substance abuse or those who suffer mental illness or use drugs for being homelessness. Despite many individuals being addicted to substance abuse still there are those individuals who are not homeless. Lack of affordable housing The greatest cause of homelessness is the decline of affordable housing which leads to rapid increase in the cost of housing. For example, in 1993 there was National Affordable Housing that was responsible for ensuring housing benefits to individuals was cut and this meant that all federal support on housing was withdrawn. This resulted into decrease of housing by 25,000 units in 1980. By 1983, the units for housing fund were zero leading to increase on housing and individuals being unable to afford housing. Rent was increased by 60% in United States in a matter of months and only low income families were provided with smaller units. The subsidies that was being provided by the federal government was cut from $21 to $7 billion within a period of two years thus making life to be difficult to individuals leading to a decline of affordable housing (Ferguson, 2011). On the other hand, the federal government in Canada eliminated any assistance it offered to solve the problem of homelessness and thus no fund that was available for social assistance payments in 1995. This action of eliminating the plan to assist individuals who were homeless lead to increased homelessness problems in Canada. Domestic violence Domestic violence is another cause of homelessness. For instance, marital breakdown will mean that individuals will decrease their productivity in economic situation. This decrease will lead to an increase in poverty rates leading to homelessness. Women and children may opt to be homeless so that their personal safety is maintained and others escape abuse. For example, 40% of the women in Canada during 2005 and 2006 were homeless due to family violence and they were admitted to shelters for the abused children and women. On the other hand, United States has experienced a 25% of domestic violence leading to homelessness since they have few resources to cater for housing. Rural and urban homelessness Due to lack of social services in the rural areas like hospitals and schools among others, individuals tend to move to urban areas so that they can get social services without any problem. Social services are easily accessible in urban areas than in rural areas making people to be homeless in urban areas due to exodus to towns as rural dwellers seek for social services (Alexander, 2012). Transportation is a problem in rural areas and thus local will have to go to urban areas for easier way of transportation and thus they abandon their homes. The local governments need to provide grants to individuals in order to make them able to accommodate and provide housing facilities to their children and women. Conclusion Homeless individuals in United States and in Canada need to work full times so that they can increase their earnings which will lead to descent housing. Again the part time workers do not receive benefits like health insurance thus making individuals to consume their earning with health issues. Others factors that has contributed greatly to rising living costs is housing, transportation and childcare among others. Despite the rising cost, wages of most individuals have remained stagnant leading to individual experiencing problems. There is need for governments globally to set plans to eliminate homelessness by coming up with housing policies that are sustainable. References Alexander, M. (2012). The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Color-Blindness. New York: The New Press. Dupis, J. (2000). Homelessness: The US and Canadian Experience. Available from http://housinghomeless.ca/articles/LindsayBuset02.html Ferguson, S. (2011). Mapping the Social Landscape (6th Edition). New York: McGraw Hill. Kozol, J. (2006). Rachel and her Children: Homeless Families in America. New York: Three Rivers Press. Read More