1 Max

Kaycee Max

Lit and Comp 10

Ms. delRio

6 April 2018

Homelessness

Ever since the pre-revolutionary time period homelessness has been a major problem in

the United States. This problem has been growing rapidly due to many issues between the

economy and social factors. Homelessness has been thought of as a character flaw, rather than an

outside, society problem.

It all increased rapidly when there was a transformation between lifestyles, because most

people were left without money or they were frowned upon. At the end of the American Civil

War, many people were left without homes. Industrialization really affected farm laborers to

search for housing and employment. This also lead to immigration, which brought homeless,

poor families searching for jobs. Then, there was a large amount of Civil War veterans that

weren’t treated equally. They didn’t have the same job access, which caused them to not have the

money to pay for themselves (Homelessness Requires…).

After the Great Depression, homelessness took another turn. Many people had lost their

jobs significantly. Many families had to split up due to the lack of work and employment. Things

arose from this though. Shantytowns are an example of this. Many people started to move west

to search for a new start which resulted into making these little communities. These Shantytowns

were often called ¨Hoovervilles¨ to mock the former president which whom was in office when

the Depression began (Homelessness Requires…).

 2 Max

Another major cause of homelessness is the lowering of family incomes and or divorce

costs. These people have more than likely been through tragic events, such as disability events

which may decline their funds they receive and force them out onto the streets. Also, natural

disasters can cause loss of homes which forces the people out onto the streets. Many people

cannot pay back the funds, and or find somewhere else to stay causing them to find shelters (So

Little To Ask…).

Although there are a few causes of homelessness, there’s some effects that come with this

problem as well. Their health gets worse from time to time due to lack of medical attention.

Also, the personality of the homeless change. Once they realize that they won’t have anywhere

to live, is unbelievable which can result in major depression. (Effects of Homelessness…).

Another effect of homelessness is the effect it has on a community. Homelessness can cause a

negative energy around or near a community of people. “77% chance of rough sleep, 53%

chance that street drinking can occur, 32% chance that someone could beg, and 10% chance of

prostitution” (Impact of Homelessness…)

In conclusion, there are many causes of homelessness. This problem is rapidly growing in

the United States and some people may call it out as a character flaw rather than an outside

problem. It’s between economic issues and social factors.

 3 Max

Works Cited

Krieger, Clifford. "Privacy Protections and Poor Data Collection Are Hurting Homeless

Veterans."

​Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection,​ Gale, 2018. ​Opposing Viewpoints In Context​,

​http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/UPBKUA377643396/OVIC?u=lom_accessmich&

​s​i ​=OVIC&xid=295ad2d4​ Accessed 19 Apr. 2018. Originally published as "Our obstacles in

trying to help homeless veterans: Too little data, too much privacy," ​Foreign Policy​, 25 Sept.

2015.

Kristof, Nicholas. "So Little to Ask For: A Home." New York Times, 7 Apr. 2016, p. A27(L).

Opposing Viewpoints In Context,

http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A448663229/OVIC?u=lom_accessmich&sid=OVIC&xi

d=1e005e13​ Accessed 19 Apr. 2018.

"Selected Laws Targeting Homeless People in US Cities, 2016." ​Gale Opposing Viewpoints in

Context​, Gale, 2017. ​Opposing Viewpoints In Context​,

http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/RBUAND166734541/OVIC?u=lom_accessmich&sid=O

VIC&xid=984a197f​ Accessed 19 Apr. 2018.

Smith, Doug. "Homelessness Requires Different Solutions for Different Situations." ​Opposing

Viewpoints Online Collection​, Gale, 2018. ​Opposing Viewpoints In Context​, ​link.galegroup

.com/napps/doc/TKJHZV964848290/OVIC?u=lom_accessmich&sid=OVIC&xid=632839fc

Accessed 18 Apr. 2018. Originally published as "Is the shift to permanent housing making

L.A.’s homelessness problem even worse?" ​Los Angeles Times,​ 15 Aug. 2016.
 4 Max

"US Homeless Population, 2016." ​Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context,​ Gale, 2017. ​Opposing

Viewpoints In Context​, ​http://link.galegroup .com/apps/doc/EWYQGW93262 1909/OVI C?

U =lom accessmich&sid=OVIC&xid=c49ec840​ Accessed 19 Apr. 2018.

www.homeless.org.uk/facts/understanding-homelessness/impact-of-homelessness​ Accessed 19

Apr. 2018.