In addition, there are many millions of individuals at a
greater risk for homelessness as the following table indicates
Note – These data are
taken from the National Report on Homelessness from the National Alliance to
End Homelessness
These data clearly demonstrate that the major causes for
homelessness are the prohibitive cost of housing, unemployment and poverty -
conditions that are further aggravated by housing foreclosures.
Despite the economic downturn, a decrease by 1% in homelessness
across America between 2009 and 2011 was found in a report issued by the
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The following were some of the findings issued in this report –
·
“The nation’s homeless population decreased 1
percent, or by about 7,000 people; it went from 643,067 in 2009 to 636,017 in
2011. There were a decreased number of people experiencing homelessness in most
of the subpopulations examined in this report: families, individuals in
families, chronic, and individuals. The only increase was among those
unsheltered.
·
The largest decrease was among homeless
veterans, whose population declined 11 percent. The number of homeless veterans
went from 75,609 in 2009 to 67,495 in 2011, a reduction of about 8,000.
·
The national rate of homelessness was 21
homeless people per 10,000 people in the general population. The rate for
veterans was 31 homeless veterans per 10,000 veterans in the general
population.
·
Chronic homelessness decreased by 3 percent from
110,911 in 2009 to 107,148 in 2011. The chronically homeless population has
decreased by 13 percent since 2007. The decrease is associated with an increase
in the number of permanent supportive housing beds from 188,636 in 2007 to
266,968 in 2011. Permanent supportive housing ends chronic homelessness.
·
A majority of homeless people counted were in
emergency shelters or transitional housing programs, but nearly 4 in 10 were unsheltered, living on the streets, or in cars,
abandoned buildings, or other places not intended for human habitation.
The unsheltered population increased
by 2 percent from 239,759 in 2009 to 243,701 in 2011, the only subpopulation to
increase.
·
The number of individuals in homeless families
decreased by 1 percent nationally, but increased by 20 percent or more in 11
states.
·
While the homeless population decreased
nationally, it increased in 24 states
and the District of Columbia.”
Note – I have
purposefully underlined those aspects of the report that I believe warrant
special attention.
The horrific state of homelessness impacts men, women,
children, the old and the young, the mentally ill and even the
handicapped. There are, in fact, whole
families that are homeless. It is not
uncommon for families to be homeless in which the head of the household is
employed. In my mind, there is no
justifiable reason for anyone to be homeless in America; the suffering that is
endured by so many is wholly unnecessary.
Consider the extent of the waste evident in the federal budget
especially in regards to military expenditures and the ludicrous concessions
made to corporations with the help of the legions of lobbyists paid exorbitant
sums to extricate concessions from an essentially apathetic and pliant Congress. Consider the vast transfer of public wealth
to private hands that has transpired within the last thirty years. Consider the corruption that is so evident
within local governments. These are
governments that often pander to wealth and find all manner of rationales to
ignore the plight of so many of their citizens.
National priorities should gravitate around meaningful
solutions to societal problems and conditions that lead to unwarranted and
unnecessary suffering on the part of those who are effectively economically and
politically powerless to change their state of being - with special regard to
children. Homelessness and hunger are
issues that need to be placed at the top of the list. Not to do so, is, in my judgment, morally
indefensible.
The state of homelessness in America is evidence of the
seemingly pervasive cultural indifference to the living conditions of those
less fortunate. This is a troubling
aspect of American life. It need not be
the case, however. This nation is
woefully out of balance. What is
required is a sense of urgency in meeting the needs of those who are in
crisis. What is required is a serious
reevaluation of what we, as a people, collectively regards as important and
worthy of immediate attention. In my
mind, to ignore those who suffer unnecessarily is to effectively undermine the
future.
