2. Homelessness
Homelessness is defined as living in housing that is below
the minimum standard or lacks secure tenure. People can
be categorized as homeless if they are: living on the
streets (primary homelessness); moving between
temporary shelters, including houses of friends, family
and emergency accommodation (secondary
homelessness); living in private boarding houses without
a private bathroom and/or security of tenure (tertiary
homelessness).
3. Type of Homelessness
There are three types of homelessness:
1.) Chronic: Those who are homeless for a longer
amount of time, usually older or injured people. This is
the least common type of homelessness.
2.) Transitional: People who stay at the shelter for only a
short period of time due to a catastrophic event, usually
younger people, who are forced to go to a homeless
shelter for a short time. This is the most common type of
homelessness.
3.) Episodic: Those who are frequently going in and out
of homelessness, usually younger, and due to abuse,
unemployment, and experience mental illness or
medical problems.
4. Structural factors & Reasons for
Homelessness
Structural problem
• Change in housing
market
• Birth rate in low income
families
• Unemployment levels
• Change in employment
opportunities for people
with a high school
diploma or less
Personal problem
• Adult and childhood
victimization
• Mental illness
• Alcohol / drug abuse
• Low level of education
• Poor or no work history
• Too early child bearing
5. Effect
There are many effects of homelessness on individuals.
Health- homeless people often encounter a lot of
health issues in their lives. they suffer from multiple
diseases such as:Cold Injury, Skin diseases, Nutritional
deficiencies, Sleep deprivation, Mental Illness, Drug
dependency, HIV/AIDS etc.
Personal – at the time when a homeless person realizes
that he/she won’t have a roof to live under forever. It is
hard for them to believe. some of the consequences: Loss
of self esteem, Increase in substance misuse,Increased
danger of abuse and violence,Development of behavioral
problems etc.
6. In conclusion
Here are some subjection on how to help the
homeless-:
• You can make a donation at any agencies in your
country.
• You can have a clothing drive to raise money.
• Volunteer your time a shelter.
• Talk to your school or office about starting a program.
• Produce fliers for the homeless giving name and
address / number for food, shelter and clothing help.