Frankie Wong

English 1102
Critical Essay
T. Sotirakopulos

Homeless, Not Hopeless

There was a story about a homeless man on Hollywood Boulevard who thought he was invisible.
But one particular day, a kid handed the man a Christian pamphlet. The homeless man was shocked and
confused at the same time, What! You can see me? How can you see me? Im invisible! (Mark Horvath).
It is not hard to understand why this man thought he was invisible. On the streets of a busy city, the
majority of the population tends to walk past homeless people, ignoring them as if they did not exist. Most
of these people have grown used to the homeless as well as the poverty surrounding their city. They tend
to forget those people who are homeless with the absence of the very basic necessities of life such as
food, shelter, water and clothing, etc. These are essentially the primary factors that enhance humanity.
Its not that people are bad, but if we make eye contact, or engage in conversation, then we have to
admit they exist and that we might have a basic human need to care. But its so much easier to simply
close our eyes and shield our hearts to their existence (Mark Horvath). The easiest thing to do is to just
shrug the issue off by blaming others, such as the government or other organizations. Another easy way
is for people to deny the existence of these homeless people on this planet, or even make up excuses
and believe that homelessness is an issue that cannot be dealt with. The very thought of eradicating
homelessness is deemed impractical in some peoples eyes. Most, if not all of these excuses never
involve any action, but in order to achieve a nation without homelessness, the government as well as its
citizens need to work together to create effective solutions to combat the problem of homelessness.
Just last year, the national poverty rate increased to 13.2% of the population in America
(Overview of Homelessness). Homelessness has always been a silent yet growing issue because nobody
wants to admit that their nation is in poverty, but the truth is that homelessness is growing in major cities,
and more than 3.5 million people face homelessness each year in the United States alone (Overview of

Homelessness). The economy plays a strong role to the cause of homelessness. When the economy is in
a recession; jobs are cut, workers are laid off, and an increasing number of families are not able to pay for
their bills/utility costs. Over the years, more than 98,000 families are homeless each year in the United
States alone (Chicago Alliance). But many people who are in better circumstances never truly show
sympathy simply because it is not directly affecting them. Many politicians running for office often
address the issue of homelessness by thinking of astounding solutions regarding to homelessness.
Nevertheless, in reality, thinking is much easier than actually doing. As time progresses, many politicians
will neglect their astounding solutions and homelessness will continue to get worse. In order to properly
face the problem, poverty and homelessness must be placed as a priority in order to make a difference.
As a result from the negligence of homelessness, society as a whole is altered by the growing
number of homelessness in the nation. The cause of homelessness on society is the lack of jobs and also
the frequency of layoffs which pushes more people to be homeless. The negative impact of
homelessness can be expensive on society, not only in terms of tax dollars spent on the issue but also
the amount of stress to social agencies, individuals and even their families. Its the long-term, chronic
homeless population that runs up significant costs. These include hospitalization and emergency room
visits, police intervention and incarceration, and use of mental health, poverty and homeless programs
(Lorena Cassady 1). Many homeless people take a toll on hospitals due to their deteriorating health
conditions, and a portion of homeless people have mental illnesses that require consistent care,
consuming excessive amounts of money that are used as tax dollars for their health costs. In addition,
homeless people spend more time in prison than any other groups; this also costs taxpayers a lot of
money which could be used for other productive purposes. Needless to say, there is a direct relationship
with society/economy and homelessness. The longer we take to address the issue, the more negative
the impact to our society.
For this reason, by giving permanent housing to the homeless, the number of homeless people
can be drastically reduced. As an analogy: someone catches a cold/flu, the most effective medication is
used in order to defeat the sickness. If the medication isnt working, the type of medication is changed
and adjusted accordingly. Just like the analogy, no matter how much resources are spent on
homelessness; if the medication isnt working, rather than continuing down the same path, organizations

should come up with a new medication to combat the problem i.e. permanent housing. Several studies
show that when employing the Housing First program (permanent housing) to the homeless, it places
the homeless directly into their own housing units, and can reduce unnecessary costs. The focus is on
helping the homeless people quickly access permanent housing rather than stalling. Not only does the
program give housing, it also provides services that promote the stability and well-being of the homeless
individual (What is Housing). In Colorado, the coalition has seen significant costs reduced such as
emergency room care, incarceration, and also emergency shelters. Overall, a 73 percent reduction was
reported in emergency service costs for chronically homeless individuals. The total emergency cost
savings averaged to a stellar $31,545 per individual (Housing First). In order to end homelessness, you
put people in housing. This is relatively simple. If more states are able to participate with the Housing
First program, the possibility of ending homelessness could be in the near future.
On one hand, people opposing Housing First program often believe that it is impractical to give
free housing to the homeless. Why would the government give countless homes to the homeless for no
apparent reason? If the permanent housing does not work, it will be a waste of tax dollars. The typical
thoughts that run through their minds usually are thinking that homelessness is a long-term condition, and
it would take an abundant amount of resources in order to deal with the issue. They often feel that
shelters are enough to provide for the homeless and nothing else needs to change. Because the issue of
homelessness is still occurring since 20th century, they believe homeless people will always be out in the
streets, and nothing can be done about it (Dennis Culhane 2). Because of the misunderstandings and the
myths people have of homelessness, people who have vague knowledge of the issue strongly argue
that homeless people deserve the fate theyre living right now.
On the other hand, based on recent statistics, about 45% homeless people are employed.
According to Urban Institute, it states that of those 45% who report working, 20% did so in a job typically
lasting only about three months. The remainder worked temporary or day-labor jobs or even peddled or
sold personal belongings in order to meet their basic needs (Facebook Post). Although homeless people
are employed, many of them are barely making a living out of their income. Without the contributions of
the government/organizations giving free housing to the homeless, it is not possible to expect them to be
able to pay for housing from their low income. Numerous studies have stated the benefits with employing

the Housing First programs. For example, Utah reduced homelessness by 78%, and is on its way to end
homelessness by 2015. The state figured out that the annual cost of E.R. visits and jail stays for
homeless people was about $16,670 per person, compared to $11,000 to provide each homeless person
with an apartment and a social worker (Terrance Heath 1). The study shown is unbelievably simple yet
addresses the issue productively. Returning to the idea that homelessness is a long-term condition, the
most common length of time someone is homeless is usually one or two days, and half the people who
enter the homeless shelters will leave within 30 days, never to return. Long-term homelessness is indeed
relatively rare. According to HUD, about 2 million people in the United States were homeless at some
point in 2009 (meaning that they stayed overnight in a shelter or in a place not meant for human
habitation). But on any given day, only approximately 112,000 people fit the federal definition of "chronic
homelessness," which applies to those who have been continuously homeless for a year or more, or are
experiencing homelessness for three years (Dennis Culhane 1). Addressing the thought that shelters are
beneficial places for homeless people, while some shelters can indeed provide temporary residence,
food, clothing, etc. for the homeless, the majority of the shelters are almost always overcrowded and are
often unruly places where people experience loss of dignity and inhumane ways such as long lines for
bedding, public showers; thieves or stealing, often leading to conflict. As a result, street homelessness
persists. To be in a shelter is to be homeless, and the more shelters we build, the more resources we
divert from the only real solution to homelessness: permanent housing (Dennis Culhane 1). To the
people who believe homelessness is never going to end, more and more people are becoming
increasingly optimistic and their solution is to get people back into housing as quickly as possible. When
homeless people are moved into the Housing First programs, it places the homeless directly into their
own housing units and bypassing shelters. Rent is also subsidized while services are provided to help
these tenants maintain their housing and be good neighbors. According to the HUD, because of these
programs, the number of chronically homeless nationwide has decreased by a third since 2005, to
112,000 (Dennis Culhane 1). By focusing on the solutions and looking past the assumptions of
homelessness, people can potentially overcome the problem and expel homelessness in the near future.
Whats simple isnt always easy. Just like housing and homelessness. Itis not an easy process,
but it is a solution that is simple. The difference between these two words is simple involves action on the

peoples part. While it is not a complex process, it takes effort to accomplish the task. With the rate of
homeless people increasing, it is evident that this is an issue that needs to be solved and steps need to
be taken to address it. Homelessness affects society negatively as the issue can consume large amounts
of resources if used wastefully or incorrectly. Homeless people can occupy spaces that could potentially
be used for other people that have a more immediate need for it, and can also cramp up the jail cells if the
issue is not yet properly addressed. Although the opposition believes that giving permanent housing is not
a practical solution in homelessness, the only effective solution that is also beneficial to society is to give
permanent housing to the homeless people. With the Housing First program, homeless people can
finally have the basic necessities of life he/she needs. Several organizations are utilizing the Housing
First programs in an attempt to resolve homelessness. An organization called Chicago Alliance to End
Homelessness applies the program as well as creates a plan to place homeless individuals/families in
permanent housing as quickly as possible. Through the organization, donation and support is one of the
key things one can do to help further contribute in ending the war against homelessness. Giving
homeless people permanent housing might not be an easy process, but it could very well be a simple and
effective solution.

Works Cited

Cassady, Lorena. "The Effects of Homelessness on Society." eHow. 15 Mar. 2013. Web. 09 May
2016.

Culhane, Dennis. "Five Myths about America's Homeless." Washington Post. 11 July
2010. Web. 09 May 2016.
"Facebook Post Says 44 Percent of Homeless People Are Employed." PolitiFact.com. Tampa Bay Times,
4 Dec. 2013. Web. 09 May 2016.
Heath, Terrance. "Utah Is Ending Homelessness by Giving People Homes." NationofChange 23 Jan.
2014.
Web. 09 May 2016.
"Homeless Stats." Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness. Web. 09 May 2016.
Horvath, Mark. "We Can End Homelessness. It Is Doable!" Invisible People. Sept. 2008. Web. 09 May
2016.
"Housing First." Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. Web. 09 May 2016.
"Overview of Homelessness in America." National Student Campaign against Hunger and Homelessness.
Web. 09 May 2016.
"What Is Housing First?" National Alliance to End Homelessness. 26 Nov. 2006. Web. 09 May 2016.