Poverty Essay, Research Paper

Why are People Homeless?

Where am I going to stay tonight? Is it going to be too cold to sleep outside? Or will the shelter be too crowded to sleep in tonight? Questions such as these do not arise in my everyday life. Yet, there are many people who have to ask themselves those questions everyday. Although, many homeless people are not seen in small towns such as this one, homelessness is an increasing problem. The media has said that minimum wage has improved; whereas, it is not improving as fast as the value of a dollar is decreasing (Daskal 2 ). Housing is also becoming harder to afford for people who make minimum wage ( National Coalition 8). While minimum wage increases at a slow rate, affordable housing is decreasing at a faster rate. Similarly, a decline in public assistance is spreading across the nation (Daskal 1). Thus, falling incomes, unaffordable housing, and a decline in public assistance has caused a big part of the population to live an uncomfortable lifestyle such as homelessness.

Although the last few years have seen growth in wages at all levels, these increases have not been enough to counteract a long history of stagnant and declining wages (Daskal 4). For example, recent increases in the minimum wage is still not equal to the real value of the minimum wage in 1997; it was 18% less than in 1979 (Daskal 14). In addition, there has been an increase in nonstandard work, such as temporary and part-time employment (Daskal 5). This means less than the standard 40 hours a week is achieved. The National Law Income Housing Coalition states that declining wages, in turn, have put housing out of reach for many workers in every state, more than the minimum wage is required to afford a one-or two-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent (30). Thus, for many Americans work provides no escape from poverty.

A lack of affordable housing and the limited scale of housing assistance programs have left the homeless without a choice. The only choices they are left with are; what shelter they want to sleep in, whether or not it is too cold for these people to sleep outside, or even whether or not it is safe enough to stay where they are. Moreover, the gap between the number of affordable housing units and the number of people needing them has created a housing crisis for poor people (Daskal 10). In the book, In the Search of Shelter, Jennifer Daskal notes that, between 1973 and 1993, 2.2 million low-rent houses disappeared from the market (4). These units were either abandoned, converted into condominiums or expensive apartments, or became unaffordable because of cost increases (Daskal 8). She believes that the lack of affordable housing has led to high rent burdens (rents which absorb a high proportion of income), overcrowding, and substandard housing (5). Housing assistance can make the difference between stable housing, precarious housing, or no housing at all. However, Daskal points out that the demand for assisted housing clearly exceeds the supply; only about one-third of poor renter households receives a housing subsidy from the federal, state, or local government (5). The limited levels of housing assistance are place on long waiting lists. As a result, people must remain in shelters or inadequate housing arrangements longer (Daskal 6). Consequently, there is less shelter space available for other homeless people, who must find shelter elsewhere or live on the streets (Daskal 6).

The media reports a growing economy and low unemployment, yet the shelters are full of adults who are unable to provide a home for their families with their minimum wage-paying jobs ( National Coalition 2). The decline in public assistance has contributed greatly to the increase of homelessness. In the National Coalition for the Homeless, it says that welfare caseloads have dropped sharply since the passage and implementation of welfare reform legislation (3). So, instead of helping the homeless by supporting them with unemployment benefits, they are making it harder for the needy to receive welfare. For example, those who are right above the poverty level are unable to collect any welfare benefits ( National Coalition 3). Although welfare is hard to attain, it does not provide relief from poverty. In fact, the National Coalition says that Temporary Assistance to Needy Families benefits and food stamps combined are below the poverty level in every state; specifically, the median TANF benefit for a family of three is approximately one-third of the poverty level (2). Consequently, the people who also attain welfare are out on the streets as well.

Things that we take for granted, such as food, shelter, and other basic needs, are made into choices for the people less fortunate. In order for them to have one need met, they must sacrifice another. The growing problem with homelessness is being covered up and ignored by many. As a result of loss of benefits, low wages, and unstable employment, many families are finding themselves living in a tight situation.