Homelessness in Canada

Introduction2

Thesis Statement3

Discussion3

Support from Community by Education4

Providing Alternatives to Encampments for Homeless4

Housing First Model5

Regulating Camping Services6

Reducing the Routine Activities7

Health Care8

Conclusion9

References10

Introduction

Homelessness persons include a range of people such as chronically homeless i.e. they are mentally ill and voluntarily leave their houses. Other category is of cyclical homeless who are mostly involves in drugs abuse and criminal activities. These people drop in and out of homes at regular basis. Last category is of transitional homeless people who are unable to maintain housing due to economic and financial problems such as loss of job or unsupportive family. Thus, it is critical that the private and public responses consider all these categories of homeless people to devise solution of problem. Considering these categories, the role of multiple services and authorities is critical. For moving the homeless back to homes and jobs, nongovernmental organizations, religious parties and food banks have to intervene on community scale (Tompsett et.al, 2003). Also, homeless people might need the help of health care for treatment of mental illness or drug addiction. In this case, the role of hospitals is necessary. For homeless individuals involved in criminal activities, police plays an effective role in helping them. Thus, it requires city wide intervention.

Homelessness is becoming one of the complex and persistent issue for US which has attracted attention of many private and public services to respond to the problem. Despite the constant efforts of government and local bodies, the increase in homeless individuals cannot be controlled. It is concluded by National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness (2012) that the homeless include families with children (35%), military veterans (23%), children (25%), persons fleeing domestic violence (30%), and the mentally ill (20-25%). Another concern in this regard is that the number of young adults becoming homeless is increasing (Saulny, 2012) indicating the worsening situation in future. Another report by HUD states the number of people in US spending one night as homeless is 633,782 on average (The American Association for Public Opinion Research, 2011). The report also concludes that New York, Los Angeles and San Diego have the highest numbers of homeless individuals respectively.

Thesis Statement

Will the next generation of Americans view as just, today's response to homelessness?

Discussion

The increase in homelessness can be associated with urban renewal, changes in the labor market and the closure of mental health facilities (Gaetz, 2004). The cheap shelter facilities were demolished in early 1950s and the land was used for construction of business activities hubs. This created shortage of inexpensive housing in 1970s. The jobs were also reduced as the manpower was replaced by machinery. Deinstitutionalization took place in 1960s under which the mental health institutions were closed. This showed adverse effect when disturbed patients got discharged after 1975. Thus the major contributor to homelessness in the past was the changes in public policy. According to David Hulchanski, the rising costs were not taken care of and the lower cost buildings were demolished (Hulchanski et.al, 2001).

It is very important to deal with the problem of increasing homelessness ...