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Homelessness is a world-wide significant public health concern affecting millions of

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people throughout the globe. We see homelessness being visible to us at concerns of streets.
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However, homelessness can also come in many other forms such as people living from their

vehicles, tents, and temporarily homeless shelters. In specifically analyzing homeless in the

United States, a recent report from Housing and Urban Development (2017), showcased that

approximately 554,000 people experience homeless every night. Nearly 17 people experience

homelessness per every 10,000 people from the general public in the United States (Housing and

Urban Development, 2017). For the last 13 years, the homeless trend has had an overall

downward slope compared to the general population, but there is significant increases to the

population of people. There has been a rise in homeless within the last three years, with this last

year, 2020 being one of the highest increases due to COVD —19 (National Alliance to End

Homelessness, 2020). Homelessness is a nation-wide public concern and it's up to us, our

neighborhoods, communities, and governmental agencies to not only talk about, but to also put a

plan to action to combat this public crisis.

Homelessness has been a major problem for many decades in America. Since the 1870' s,

homeless arose as an issue affecting the nation (Kusmer, 2002). Significant rising in homeless

occurred during the Great Depression of the 1930's as a result of rise of unemployment,

depression, and people seeking drugs. Most recently, in the 21st century with the Great Recession

between 2007 and 2009 also brought high number of people being homeless. The McKinney-

Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 defined homeless as a condition where people lack a

fixed or regular night shelter of residence. This act was signed into law by then former president
Ronald Reagan as a response to the significant growth of the homeless population in the United

States. This law provides federal money for homeless shelter programs. In 2014, across the US,

over I .5 million homeless shelters were counted for (National Alliance to end Homelessness,

2015). Although there has been several initiatives at the national as well as at the state level, the

US still continues to lack supporting homeless people in our community. Then next sections goes

in depth in analyzing the factors that I perceive are affecting homelessness in America.

For many people being homeless is not a choice. However, society judges' people based

on perception and what they believe the standard should be. For example, a typical response to boy

seeing homeless people in the streets is that they do not want to work, and they are lazy. This

stigma follows homeless everywhere they go and is particularly evident in homeless of color

such as African Americans. What many people have yet to ask, is how they got to the situation

they are in. There are several key factors that I believe influence why people are homeless. These

three factors are: mental health, chronic drug abuse, and poverty.

A significant factor that contributes to homelessnessis mental health. Pinillo (2021),

reported in their research study that mental health problems like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia,

and post-traumatic stress disorder are indicators in homeless communities. The US Department

of Housing and Development reported that about 20% of homeless people suffer from mental

health illnesses. People that fall into some of these mental health conditions do not seek help

because of the stigma that mental health illness carry and or they do not know where location the

appropriate resources. People who suffer from mental illness, are 20 times more likely to become
homeless than those in the general population. As such, mental illness in homelessness needs to

be a priority in addressing this public health issue.

Drug Abuse

Another factor that contributes to homelessness is drug abuse. However, others may

argue that homelessness leads to drug addiction and abuse- A study done by Johnson (2008) on

substance use among homelessness reported that one third of homelessness individuals had

substance related problems prior to them being homelessness. The rest of the participants, two

thirds, reported that they encountered and began abusing drugs while being homeless. In

addition, Johnson (2008) results indicated that younger people were more likely to develop

substance abuse after being homeless than older people. Furthermore, homelessness people with

substance abuse remained homeless for 12 consecutive months or more (Johnson, 2008). In a

more recent study, McVicar (2019)reported that there was a strong correlation between people

that daily consume cannabis with homelessness. Individuals that consumed cannabis very often

led them to homelessness.

Poverty

Call to Action (Government Agencies)

Homelessness is a major societal program that requires support from

local, state, and
federal government agencies. As such, I call to them to help
in combating this issue. For
centuries, homelessness has been a problem in our society.
Government have passed several
reforms in support of this cause; however, the number
of homelessness continues to
increase. In
the next sections, I layout suggestions that
government agencies can take to
continue to support
this issue.

Possible Solutions
Affording Housing

Mental Health Support

Conclusion

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