Jared Mazurek

Matthew Hill
Writ 1122 Section 11
04.06.2011
The City is Homeless

Located in the heart of the city of Denver is the beautiful Wellington E. Webb

municipal office building. Etched into the heart of this building is the famous

Shakespearian phrase, “What is the city, but the people?” (Shakespeare). However,

one does not have to spend much time in downtown Denver before they begin to

notice a rather large phenomenon; there are a tremendous number of homeless

people roaming the streets. In fact, Denver’s homeless population has “sky rocketed,

going from 3,954 people in 2007 to 6, 656 in 2009, a 68 percent increase” (Covi,

Para. 1). According to the etching on the Webb building, Denver, at its most basic

level, is just a reflection of its people. Thus, in order to achieve an understanding of

the dynamics of the city of Denver one must understand the people that reside

there, including the homeless population. One must ask questions such as, “What are

the homeless like? What are the overall trends of the homeless population? And

what efforts are being made to combat homelessness within the city of Denver?”

Although Denver’s homeless are not the same in terms of scope and

demographics as the rest of the US, the same general trends are present. Thus, in

order to understand what the homeless population is like in Denver, we can

examine nation-wide trends. The first major trend in terms of US homelessness is

that the metropolitan homeless tend to be African American. This is because

“compared with whites, blacks are more likely to encounter housing discrimination,

to suffer skill and locational mismatches in the job market, and to have weakened
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family supports, each of which increases their susceptibility to homelessness” (Lee,

Para. 12). It is easy to infer why these disadvantages would greatly hinder an

African American’s pursuit of owning a house and thus result in increased

homelessness among African Americans. These types of disadvantages however, do

not only apply to African Americans. They are also an issue that leads to another

major trend of metropolitan homelessness: single persons.

Single people are at a much larger risk of being homeless because ““[Single]

individuals lack the protection offered by a second wage earner when crises arise,

and factors that may originally select certain people into single status–youthfulness

or old age, pre-existing personal problems– can threaten their shelter security” (Lee,

Para. 12). Thus in times of economic downturn, single persons who lack a steady 2-

person income are much more susceptible to the ever-present threat of

homelessness. Single persons also create a much larger demand for housing as there

are many more houses needed when people are living alone, rather than if they

were married and housing multiple people under one roof. This increased demand

allows the housing market to increase the prices of housing, which makes homes

much harder to afford. Along with being African American and single, a major trend

among the homeless in the US is that homeless people tend be in their mid-forties.

The reason for the increased homelessness within this age group is a direct

result of the post World War II baby boom. “The maturation of the baby boom

generation is believed to have intensified pressures on all segments of the housing

market” (Lee, Para. 13). As the US approached the eighties, the huge number of

babies that were born shortly after the Second World War began leaving home and
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searching for housing of their own. The housing market was not prepared to

accommodate a group of consumers of that size, thus driving the price of housing

through the roof. This increase in the price of housing left thousands unable to

afford homes and forced them to fend for themselves on the streets. Another major

trend is that homelessness is much more present in persons with only a high school

education or less.

The reason that the homeless tend to have no more than a high school

education is also a direct result of economic downturn. According to the US Census

Bureau, “Workers 18 and over sporting bachelors degrees earn an average of

$51,206 a year, while those with a high school diploma earn $27,915” (Longley,

Para. 1). Thus, it is clear why- during a time of economic downturn- those with only

a high school diploma would have a much harder time affording housing than those

with a college degree that make nearly twice as much money per year. Another

nation-wide trend is that the homeless tend to be male.

According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, “67.5% of the single

homeless population is male, and it is this single population that makes up 76% of

the homeless populations” (National Para. 6). It has been suggested that the reason

for the male homelessness phenomenon is a result of the male hubris. Unlike

women, men tend to avoid using many social services. It is believed that the male

resistance to these services is a result of a need to feel “manly” and be able to

provide for oneself. Thus we can conclude that the average homeless person in

Denver is a single, middle-aged African American man with no more than a high
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school diploma. It is important to note however, that there is a steadily increasing

homeless youth population.

The homeless youth have many characteristics that lead to their homeless

state. The most prevalent trend among homeless youth is that they come from

families that are not intact and often run away from home as a result of either a

divorce or a dispute with their single parent. “One study reported that fewer than

25% of homeless adolescents in their study came from intact families and one-third

came from single parent households” (Travonne, Para. 35). Furthermore, “45.9% of

runaway youths meet criteria to be diagnosed with alcohol and drug abuse or

dependence” (Travonne, Para.16). Thus the homeless youth are an increasing

population that is highly prone to alcohol and drug use, which makes them a major

demographic of interest for homelessness relief organizations.

Now that we have established the profile of the average homeless person, we

must ask, “What is the overall trend of homelessness; is the homeless population

increasing or decreasing?” The US homeless population is rapidly increasing. In fact,

“The National Alliance to End Homelessness predicts up to 3.4 million Americans

will become homeless two decades from 2009. A 35 percent increase since the

recession began in December 2007” (Dillon, Para. 5). This rise in the homeless

population is a direct result of our recent economic downturn. This increasing

homeless population is a serious issue for our nation’s major cities, including

Denver. It is clear that many initiatives must be taken in order to combat this

phenomenon and return the homeless to their homes. And in fact, many such

initiatives are currently being implemented within the city of Denver.

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One such initiative is that “San Francisco, Denver, Baltimore and several

other cities have installed "homeless meters" on their downtown sidewalks to

discourage residents from giving money directly to panhandlers. Instead, good

Samaritans can deposit money in the meters to support homelessness programs in

the cities” (Hotchkiss Para. 1). Many people do not give to the homeless because

they fear that their money will be stereotypically used to purchase alcohol, as if all

homeless people are alcoholics. These “homeless meters” allow people to donate

money and feel confident that their donation is going to truly help the homeless,

rather than only quench their need for alcohol. These meters also provide a

convenient way to constantly donate; as they are always there to place money into,

whereas, homeless people tend to move around a lot.

Other initiatives within Denver are the many services that are provided for

the ever-growing number of homeless youths. “Services provided to homeless

youths include basic services (e.g., food, shelter, and clothing), medical services,

mental health counseling, drug treatment, and training in independent living skills”

(Travonne, Para. 44). The scope of these services is increasing as the number of

homeless youths is increasing. The reason for this is the frighteningly high number

of homeless youths that use drugs and alcohol and suffer from family issues.

Another way in which homelessness is being counteracted within Denver is,

surprisingly, the foreclosure of homes.

Although the economic recession is the reason for many of the newly

homeless’ situation, it is surprisingly acting as a blessing for many of Denver’s

chronically homeless. “The real-estate bust is creating an unexpected benefit:

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housing for the homeless. Even as the foreclosure crisis pushes some low-income

families into shelters, chronic homeless rates are shrinking thanks in part to the

foreclosed and vacant buildings social-service agencies can now afford to buy”

(Philips, Para. 1). Although it seems like this would keep the homeless population at

a constant level- as the homeless moving into the foreclosed homes are just

replacing those that were forced out- it actually does help to decrease homelessness

overall. This is because when low-income families are forced into shelters, it is often

only a temporary measure in order to allow the families to get back on their feet.

However, the chronically homeless would never have otherwise been able to afford

housing and thus need the foreclosed homes in order to receive it. Therefore, the

low-income families being forced into shelters make space for the chronically

homeless. They then recover from their momentary homelessness and move into a

different home. All the while, still allowing the chronically homeless to occupy their

old homes, which slowly gets more and more people off of the streets.

Homelessness is a huge problem within all of the major cities of the United

States. Middle-aged, African American males who are single and have no more than

a high school diploma are most prone to homelessness. The reasons behind this

demographic’s homeless tendencies range from discrimination, to income, to male

hubris. Along with this demographic, many youths are becoming homeless and due

to their family issues, often have drug and alcohol dependencies. All demographics

of the US homeless population are steadily increasing due to the current economic

recession. Because of this frightening increase in the homeless population, there are

many initiatives being implemented around the country, as well as in the city of
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Denver. These initiatives range from “homeless meters” to many different social

services in order to help those on the streets who are in need. It is essential for these

initiatives to continue and for all of Denver’s, as well as the United States’, citizens to

get involved if we want to truly develop as a society. As of now, the city of Denver

can be considered “homeless”. Because what is the city (or the country for that

matter) but its people? All of its people.

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Works Cited
Shakespeare, William, and Philip Brockbank. Coriolanus. London: Methuen, 1976.

Print.

Covi, Tim. "Campaign Questions: Mayoral Hopefuls Speak on Homelessness."

Denver Voice 03 Mar. 2011, Vol. 15 ed.: 4-7. Print.

Lee, Barrett A., Townsand Price-Spratlen, and James W. Kanan.

"Determinants of Homelessness in Metropolitan Areas." Journal of Urban Affairs

25.3 (2003): 335-356. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 4 Apr. 2011.

Longley, Robert. "College Degree Nearly Doubles Annual Earnings."

USGovinfo.about.com. US Census Bureau, Mar. 2004. Web. 4 Apr. 2011.

National Coalition for the Homeless. "Who Is Homeless?" National Coalition for the

Homeless. July 2009. Web. 05 Apr. 2011.

Travonne Williams, et al. "Homeless Youth: Characteristics, Contributing Factors,

and Service Options." Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment

20.2 (2010): 193-217. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 28 Mar. 2011.

Dillon, Naomi. "No place to call Home." American School Board Journal 196.6

(2009): 14-17. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 6 Apr. 2011.

Hotchkiss, Rick, and John McElhenny. "Spare a dime?." American City & County 123.9

(2008): 10-12. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 28 Mar. 2011.

Philips, Matthew. "Hope Amid A Downturn." Newsweek 152.5 (2008): 10. Academic

Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 28 Mar. 2011.

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Peer Review of Westin Underberger’s Paper:

The major issue within your paper is sentence structure. There are many

instances where you have huge run-on sentences. I made many changes on your

document in order to eliminate these run-ons. You also tend to use very confusing

sentence structure that takes away from the clarity of your writing. I made many

changes in terms of word choice and word order in order to provide some of this

clarity but I suggest you read through your paper out loud before you turn it in. This

will allow you to see where your sentence structure is confusing, as you will most

likely stumble over the sentences that need correction.

I understand that you have not yet cited your sources within the document

but you left parenthesis where you are planning to insert those citations. However,

there are many statistics made within your paper that have no parenthesis after

them. I do not know if you left them out by mistake or not but be sure to add

citations to those statistics as well.

Your introduction captures your reader’s attention but you do not seem to

clearly state your purpose within your introduction paragraph. In fact, I did not

know what the purpose of your paper was until I reached the end of your third body

paragraph. Be sure to clearly state your purpose in the introduction in order to

allow your readers to understand the topic of your paper.

You support your thesis with evidence and you include multiple sides of the

argument but I am not sure if you have good sources because you have not yet cited

your information. You do however use your sources to work for your own particular

style of writing very well.

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Reverse Outline:

-Works Cited: (You do not yet have one)

-Be sure to add a correct, MLA works cited page

-Conclusion: (You do not yet have one)

-Be sure to add a conclusion that clearly summarizes your thoughts and
leaves your reader with something to ponder.

Body # 5
-Reasons why marijuana has been legalized in some states and problems with doing
so:
-To receive tax revenue
-The price for producing marijuana will become greater than these revenues.
-This has happened with alcohol/tobacco

Body #4
-Negative effects of marijuana use:
-Impaired judgment and motor skills
-There are other medicines that can more effectively treat these illnesses.

Body #3
-The ease of obtaining marijuana:
-Easy to fake illness/pain
-People who fake this pain then turn around and sell it to those
without a medicinal marijuana card.

Body#2
-Medicinal Marijuana Laws within Colorado:
-Prescribed by doctors to patients with an illness/pain
-Very easy to obtain medicinal marijuana card.

Body#1
-Dual-legal status of medicinal marijuana
-Legal under state law, illegal under federal law
-Disputes between federal and state officials over the issue

Introduction:
-Statistics about states who have legalized marijuana
-You do not include your purpose. Make sure to add this to your introduction