As a greater society, we have a duty to provide basic needs to the members of this society. It is up to the people and the government, elected by the people, to determine what those basic needs are. As with everything, there are differences in opinion. Chapters 9 and 11 in the CQ reader express the importance of having a roof over one’s head. Housing is an extremely important bare minimum. Without it, it is almost impossible to find the motivation to do much else.

Homelessness is an issue that we literally face every day. Chapter 9 delves into the idea of housing the homeless. The best way to house the homeless is to understand what their needs are and what caused them to be homeless in the first place. According to experts, the main contributor to homelessness is poverty. A lack of education, jobs, and underemployment are all factors. If one does not have access to proper education or a job, they cannot afford to pay rent or purchase a home. Not only is it a monetary problem, but homelessness is a social problem as well. Mental illness or substance abuse make it difficult to keep a job or afford housing.

Housing First and Rapid Re-Housing, in theory, appear to be a great tag team providing housing and financial aid, respectively, to those who have recently become homeless to prevent them from being on the streets or in a shelter. While the cost of these programs and effectiveness is debatable. I believe that these programs could flourish with an additional element. These programs need to be complemented by some sort of education component. Since a cause of homelessness is a lack of education, which makes finding employment difficult, I believe that classes teaching basic skills such as computer, writing, and resume building can improve these peoples’ chances of getting out and staying out. Additionally, individuals and families need the emotional support, guidance, and group therapy to deal with everything that is presented before them.

Not only is homelessness a major housing issue, but housing discrimination is as well. When racial segregation in housing was legal in the 1930s and 1950s, white families were receiving mortgages with great interest rates, while black families were being denied. This allowed white families to move into comfortable suburban areas and it left black families in the dust. Although now racial segregation has declined, it still exists in many cities across the United States. Reading Kimberly’s story at the start of Chapter 11, I was completed shocked by her experience living in public housing in Baltimore and how she succumbed to the realities of her surroundings. Although she was given a Section 8 voucher, not everyone is as fortunate and not all landlords accept them. This makes it incredibly difficult for families to find good, diverse neighborhoods to live in. Although I do not have an answer, and I do not know who does, both homelessness and housing discrimination are serious issues that needs to be resolved.