Day: April 19, 2017

If not already apparent, these two chapters in the CQ Reader made it abundantly clear just how big of a problem there is with homelessness in this country. It has gotten to the point where it can no longer be ignored, or even downplayed; and it reached that point years ago. The numbers that were presented in these readings tell it all, especially the fact that one in every five homeless person is a child.

So we have come to the obviously conclusion that something must be done. However, that is the only easy part about this topic. Once you dive into the world of how to fix the homeless problem in America it becomes a lot more difficult to come to an easy and sound conclusion.

The main program that was addressed in the reading of chapter 9 was the Housing First approach. There are aspects of this plan that are, in fact, good ideas and will likely benefit a large number of families and people that are currently homeless in this country. However, despite that it can help some portion of the homeless population, for a large portion of it, this plan will not only not help but will harm.

There are many different reasons that a family or individual is forced into a homeless state; too numerous to mention. For many people that have no homes it is due to economical reasons: either housing prices got too high, they lost their job for the time being, etc. These are the type of people that Housing First should jump on; they are the ones that will benefit greatly from a program like these. Many times, people in this situation just needed a couple more months, or something around there, to be able to get back on their feet. That is what this program would give them the opportunity for; instead of forcing them to the street (or homeless shelters, or any other form of homelessness) too early and starting a change reaction that sees this family out of a home for years to come. On the other hand, there are just as many, if not more, people that giving a home to will accomplish nothing. These people are the ones who, for some reason or another, were actually their own cause for them being homeless and will possibly just slip right back into the same predicament they were in before. Regarding these people, help of a different kind is needed; we need to address the root of the problem, not give them another chance while hoping something new occurs that didn’t last time.

Homelessness isn’t only an issue involving poverty. Income inequality and increasing housing costs are factors that add to homelessness, and fixing those factors can help decrease the likelihood of a family becoming homeless.

Also, many kids born in working class family neighborhoods don’t receive the same quality of education kids receive in middle class family neighborhoods. The inequality in education needs to be eradicated and more opportunities, such as job training and fun activities that will build skills needed later in life, need to be provided for kids that are in the lower SES.

I agree with Nunez and Culhane that the homeless must be provided with services such as job training, other educational services, and mental and physical health care instead of just being plopped into housing. Some can really utilize the services if they are provided with it, and others might not need it. But for some, providing education services and health care can help end a cycle of homelessness.

Housing and rental discrimination still persist today.  In the past, discrimination was more open and overt; today, it is subtle.  Minority buyers and renters are treated less favorably than whites.  Whites generally are given more information, help, and options than minorities by realtors, bankers, and insurance providers.  For example, banks have become stricter to minorities, offering “higher down payments and less favorable mortgage rates.”  As a result, minorities have a tougher time buying a house.  Very little has been done to dismantle the segregated neighborhoods.  Real estate practices continue to contribute to residential segregation. Even today, the Fair Housing Act is not adequately enforced.  For example, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is processing fewer complaints, it is taking longer to process complaints, and victim compensation has declined.

I am unsure if I would be for blocking HUD’s new fair-housing rule or against. I agree that people should choose where they want to live without government interference. But I’m also for reducing racial segregation and providing people access to better resources. I’m leaning more towards against blocking it, but who am I to say that people have to live in certain areas even if they don’t want to.