Description
Social Problem Research – Homelessness
Responding to the social problems that affect the populations you serve as a social worker is only one aspect of the professional responsibility you must undertake. The ability to be proactive by identifying disparities and gaps in policies is just as important. However, in order to be an effective advocate and to fully participate in the policy process, it is important that you be able to connect theory and research to policy-making decisions. Having the knowledge and skills to implement new policies and policy alternatives without creating new disparities is a skill all social workers need to possess.
For this Assignment, consider what you have learned about the possible causes of the social problem you selected.
Assignment (2–4 pages, APA format): Your paper should include:
- A description of the known explanations or causes of the issue you selected in your Social Issues paper in Week 3(Homelessness)
- A description of the theoretical explanations and approaches scholars and policy analysts used to discuss this issue
- A description of the policies that have resulted from these discussions and an explanation of whether they are effective at resolving the issue
- Contain at least 4 citations and references
- I’ve attached the week 3 paper to see what was submitted
- I use SafeAssgn for anti-plagerism tool
- I’ve attached a sample document; it can be used as a starting point. I’m ok if we use the references; but I’d like at least 1 new reference.
Assignment:
Social Problem Research
Responding to the social problems that affect the populations you serve as a social worker is only one
aspect of the professional responsibility you must undertake. The ability to be proactive by identifying
disparities and gaps in policies is just as important. However, in order to be an effective advocate and to
fully participate in the policy process, it is important that you be able to connect theory and research to
policy-making decisions. Having the knowledge and skills to implement new policies and policy
alternatives without creating new disparities is a skill all social workers need to possess.
For this Assignment, consider what you have learned about the possible causes of the social problem
you selected.
Assignment (2–4 pages, APA format): Your paper should include:
•
A description of the known explanations or causes of the issue you selected in your Social Issues
paper in Week 3 (Homelessness).
•
A description of the theoretical explanations and approaches scholars and policy analysts used
to discuss this issue
•
A description of the policies that have resulted from these discussions and an explanation of
whether they are effective at resolving the issue
Social Issues
Walden University
Figures title:2
Social Issues
Addressing the on-going social issue of children and families in shelter and how it affects
them will be an on-going problem until a solution is found, and there is no quick fix to poverty.
Families and children in shelter makes up a great deal in society. This situation effects the child’s
mental and social skills with peers. Parents who find themselves in situation mostly believe they
have failed their families and themselves. We will discuss the social issues and policies around
children and homelessness.
Explanations or causes of Homelessness with families and children.
There are many causes and reasons as to why homelessness occurs amongst families and
children. A few of these reasons are inadequate housing options associated with housing
conditions, According too the article Poverty Children and Shelter, many “Inadequate housing
and infrastructure facilities pose direct threats to children’s physical safety, and a combination of
overcrowding, open fires, access to clean water.”(Poverty, children and shelter). Eviction is
another cause of homelessness with children and families. This may happen due too inadequate
amount of funds in a household, rent increase, violation of lease agreements, drugs, mental
illness, and damage of property. Some theorist also suggest that homelessness continues due too
social classes and oppression, and finding proper work.
Theoretical explanations and approaches scholars and policy analysts used to discuss issue of
Homelessness
According too Ellen L. Bassuk et al (2014), Beyond Child Welfare-Theories of Child
Homelessness it was discussed that, Recent federal data shows that since 2010, the number of children
who experienced homelessness in 2013 reached an astounding 2.5 million. Homelessness is increasingly
growing rapid government and policy makers need to find a way too assist families when it comes too
providing aide. There has been an increasing focus on the subject of poverty from a variety of scholars
Figures title:3
and policy makers, perhaps because of the growing underclass in America and around the globe.
(PEADAR KIRBY, VULNERABILITY AND VIOLENCE 14−19 (2006). Homelessness can in some
cases be a temporary problem, but for others homelessness is a chronic issue which may seem to
have no end. There are a few scholars who have since wrote books regarding homelessness and
one being Immanuel Kant who wrote, “there is a moral duty to help alleviate poverty, whatever the cause
of poverty is”. Many scholars also noted that homelessness and poverty was a lack of “injustice” while
others disagreed and mentioned, poverty and the weight of homelessness is rather a concern for all and
not just on one specific level. Another theoretical approach that may suggest homeless is “ the main
causal factor combines problems in society with the individual’s situation” (Rodrigo (2011)
A description of the policies that have resulted from these discussions and an explanation
of whether they are effective at resolving the issue
Law enforces need too figure out different ways to end homelessness or try to find outlets
for individuals, families and children who are stricken with this issue. “Nearly 70 percent of the
city’s shelter population is composed of children and their families, who on average remain in
shelters for more than 430 days” (Corden, c., march, J. and kende, j. (2018). . Some of the
recommendations to these policies are: creating more affordable and supportive housing and
stabilizing rent, for those experiencing domestic violence creating a safe and stabilized shelter
that allow survivors to keep their jobs and avoid disrupting their children’s lives. By providing
additional safety measures and precautions to those that are experiencing domestic violence.
(Corden, c., et al, ) Prioritizing the processing of housing applications for homeless families will
ensure that homeless families receive assistance as quickly and efficiently as possible. Lastly,
Investing in aftercare services that help families access much-needed social supports, and
exploring the development of an affordable housing model that includes on-site services for
Figures title:4
families in need who do not qualify for supportive housing will help homeless families with
children to remain stably housed after leaving shelter. (Corden, c., et al, )
All of these services mentioned are tools and outlets of ways policies can make a
difference in the lives of children and families. I have been a witness to many families who has
come into shelter due to landlords inflation of rent, wanting too evict families due to their color
of skin, and sometimes just wanting the apartment back. Our generous efforts to address these
issues are important because we are advocating for the rights of our clients and families.
Implementing different strategies and plans to aide these families are important in fostering
human developments and coming too an end with the issue of homelessness.
Figures title:5
References
Ellen L. Bassuk et al., America’s Youngest Outcasts: A Report Card on Child Homelessness, THE NAT’L CTR. ON FAMILY
HOMELESSNESS 15 (November 2014), available at http://www.homelesschildrenamerica.org/mediadocs/280.pdf.
IMMANUEL KANT, THE METAPHYSICS OF MORALS 245 (Mary J. Gregor trans., Cambridge Univ. Press 1991)
Rodrigo (2011) The Causes of Young Homelessness and the Theory Behind It
Corden, c., march, J. and kende, j. (2018). 7 Policies to End Family Homelessness – Shelterforce. [online]
Shelterforce. Available at: https://shelterforce.org/2017/07/12/homelessness-housing-integrated-plannew-york/ [Accessed 2 Jul. 2018].
Figures title:6
Jack, Malcom
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/dpuprojects/drivers_urb_change/urb_infrastructure/pdf_shelter_settlements
/HI_Jack_Poverty_Children_Chelter.pdf
Figures title:7
Figures title:8
Running Head: HOMELESSNESS AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM
Homelessness as a Social Problem
Walden University
Homelessness as a Social Problem
1
HOMELESSNESS AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM
2
There are three classifications of homelessness; transient homelessness refers to
individuals who use shelters for a single brief stay, periodic homelessness refers to repeated but
brief stays at shelters, and finally, there is chronic homelessness referring to extended periods of
homelessness. Chronic homelessness is usually accompanied by a disabling condition such as
mental illness, developmental disability, substance abuse, or chronic illnesses; the chronic
homeless make up about 18% of the homeless population (Leprot et al., 2018). Homelessness is
a problem that has become a crisis in the United States. Data from 2018 shows that about
552,830 were homeless on a single night with 67% being single individuals and 33% being
families with children(State of Homelessness). The most common reasons for families to be
homeless are lack of affordable housing, unemployment, and poverty. For singles, however,
these reasons tend to be mental illness, substance abuse, and lack of affordable housing. Finding
affordable housing has become a major challenge for many Americans in urban areas; a 2017
report indicates that over 6.7 Million Americans had to spend over half their income on rent.
Despite poverty levels dropping since The Great Recession of 2007/2009, 42.6( 13.4% of the
general population) million people still live in poverty; this group of people struggles to afford
basic necessities including housing Other explanations for homelessness include escaping
domestic violence and racial inequality (State of Homelessness). African Americans report the
most disproportionate numbers when it comes to housing since they make up 40% of the
homeless population while only being 13% of the general population (State of Homelessness).
This situation emanates from systematic discrimination that has perpetuated disparities in
poverty and employment, housing, criminal justice, and health care. The existence of these
disparities has placed African Americans at greater risk of becoming homeless
HOMELESSNESS AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM
3
There has been an increase in the population of youth under 25 (with no parents or
children) being homeless. This group now accounts for 7% of the homeless population. This is a
result of these young people either running away from home or being kicked out. LGBT youth
and others who failed to finish high school are at greater risk of being homeless, especially in
African American and Latino communities (Morton et al., 2018). Young mothers also tend to
become homeless after their parents refuse to help them. Veterans make up about 11% of the
homeless population with nearly half being from the Vietnam War (National Coalition for
Homeless Veterans). The primary reason for homeless veterans is lack of access to healthcare
since many of them struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Substance abuse.
Veterans are as a result vulnerable to homelessness, especially if they lack support networks.
Other reasons include the lack of affordable housing and livable income, especially considering
the fact that military skills are not easily transferrable to the civilian workforce. Due to these
reasons, about 1.4 million veterans live at the risk of being homeless (National Coalition for
Homeless Veterans).
The 1980s marked the emergence of the modern homelessness problem. This is because
there were very many social forces at work that led to the current crisis. The changes that
occurred include The HIV/AIDS epidemic, gentrification of inner cities, rise in unemployment
levels, lack of affordable housing, deinstitutionalization of the mentally insane and budget cuts to
the Department of Housing and Urban Development and social agencies due to the recession that
rocked the country. Due to the recession property value in areas such as downtown went down
the drain and rooming houses that provided housing to the transient population were either
destroyed or converted into apartment or condominiums. The changes to the Supplementary
Security Income (SSI) and the Social Security act of 1980 also made it more difficult for the
HOMELESSNESS AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM
4
disabled and the mentally ill to get the help they needed to afford housing. The combination of
all these factors led to the rise of an unprecedented number of homeless people, and this trend
has become impossible to reverse. The 80s, for instance, changed the housing market
dramatically because since then rent in major cities has been rising while wages have stagnated
(National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2018).
The homeless problem can be explained by the pluralist model and power-elite model.
The pluralist model proposes that due to the existence of insider and outsider groups, there is
social exclusion. This is because the social groups with power are able to advance their interests
without considering the interests of those who are marginalized, such as minorities and LBGTQ
members. The power elite model, on the other hand, claims that since power is concentrated
among the wealthy, it is difficult for everyday citizens to get their interests addressed. According
to these two models, therefore, homelessness can result from being disadvantaged in the social
politics (Johnsen, Fitzpatrick & Watts, 2018). The dominant group, in this case, hold power, and
this leads to uneven distribution of resources. Therefore to address the problem, scholars propose
the development of equitable policies that will give marginalized communities a chance to get
educated, have employment, and make a fair income. The individual will eventually be able to
afford housing and healthcare among other needs (Popple & Leighninger, 2014).
In conclusion, therefore, homelessness is a deep-rooted social problem with a long
history. Periods of recession are usually accompanied by rising numbers in poverty and
homelessness. Under normal circumstances, homelessness is brought about by, lack of access to
affordable housing, mental health, and substance abuse issues, domestic violence, and racial
inequality. There are also vulnerable populations at risk of being homeless; these are; LGBT
youth, young mothers, and veterans.
HOMELESSNESS AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM
References
Johnsen, S., Fitzpatrick, S., & Watts, B. (2018). Homelessness and social control: a typology.
Housing Studies, 33(7), 1106-1126.
Liptrot, G., Pruden, D., Pollins, A., Parkin, L., & Alexander, D. (2018). Working together:
Homeless Outreach Mental Health and Housing Service (HOMHS). Parity, 31(10), 13.
Morton, M. H., Dworsky, A., Matjasko, J. L., Curry, S. R., Schlueter, D., Chávez, R., & Farrell,
A. F. (2018). Prevalence and correlates of youth homelessness in the United States.
Journal of Adolescent Health, 62(1), 14-21.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2018). Permanent supportive
housing: evaluating the evidence for improving health outcomes among people
experiencing chronic homelessness. National Academies Press.
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://nchv.org/index.php/news/media/background_and_statistics/
Popple, P. R., & Leighninger, L. (2014). The policy-based profession: An introduction to social
welfare policy analysis for social workers. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
State of Homelessness. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in
america/homelessness-statistics/state-of-homelessness-report/
5
Purchase answer to see full
attachment
Social Problem Research
Responding to the social problems that affect the populations you serve as a social worker is only one
aspect of the professional responsibility you must undertake. The ability to be proactive by identifying
disparities and gaps in policies is just as important. However, in order to be an effective advocate and to
fully participate in the policy process, it is important that you be able to connect theory and research to
policy-making decisions. Having the knowledge and skills to implement new policies and policy
alternatives without creating new disparities is a skill all social workers need to possess.
For this Assignment, consider what you have learned about the possible causes of the social problem
you selected.
Assignment (2–4 pages, APA format): Your paper should include:
•
A description of the known explanations or causes of the issue you selected in your Social Issues
paper in Week 3 (Homelessness).
•
A description of the theoretical explanations and approaches scholars and policy analysts used
to discuss this issue
•
A description of the policies that have resulted from these discussions and an explanation of
whether they are effective at resolving the issue
Social Issues
Walden University
Figures title:2
Social Issues
Addressing the on-going social issue of children and families in shelter and how it affects
them will be an on-going problem until a solution is found, and there is no quick fix to poverty.
Families and children in shelter makes up a great deal in society. This situation effects the child’s
mental and social skills with peers. Parents who find themselves in situation mostly believe they
have failed their families and themselves. We will discuss the social issues and policies around
children and homelessness.
Explanations or causes of Homelessness with families and children.
There are many causes and reasons as to why homelessness occurs amongst families and
children. A few of these reasons are inadequate housing options associated with housing
conditions, According too the article Poverty Children and Shelter, many “Inadequate housing
and infrastructure facilities pose direct threats to children’s physical safety, and a combination of
overcrowding, open fires, access to clean water.”(Poverty, children and shelter). Eviction is
another cause of homelessness with children and families. This may happen due too inadequate
amount of funds in a household, rent increase, violation of lease agreements, drugs, mental
illness, and damage of property. Some theorist also suggest that homelessness continues due too
social classes and oppression, and finding proper work.
Theoretical explanations and approaches scholars and policy analysts used to discuss issue of
Homelessness
According too Ellen L. Bassuk et al (2014), Beyond Child Welfare-Theories of Child
Homelessness it was discussed that, Recent federal data shows that since 2010, the number of children
who experienced homelessness in 2013 reached an astounding 2.5 million. Homelessness is increasingly
growing rapid government and policy makers need to find a way too assist families when it comes too
providing aide. There has been an increasing focus on the subject of poverty from a variety of scholars
Figures title:3
and policy makers, perhaps because of the growing underclass in America and around the globe.
(PEADAR KIRBY, VULNERABILITY AND VIOLENCE 14−19 (2006). Homelessness can in some
cases be a temporary problem, but for others homelessness is a chronic issue which may seem to
have no end. There are a few scholars who have since wrote books regarding homelessness and
one being Immanuel Kant who wrote, “there is a moral duty to help alleviate poverty, whatever the cause
of poverty is”. Many scholars also noted that homelessness and poverty was a lack of “injustice” while
others disagreed and mentioned, poverty and the weight of homelessness is rather a concern for all and
not just on one specific level. Another theoretical approach that may suggest homeless is “ the main
causal factor combines problems in society with the individual’s situation” (Rodrigo (2011)
A description of the policies that have resulted from these discussions and an explanation
of whether they are effective at resolving the issue
Law enforces need too figure out different ways to end homelessness or try to find outlets
for individuals, families and children who are stricken with this issue. “Nearly 70 percent of the
city’s shelter population is composed of children and their families, who on average remain in
shelters for more than 430 days” (Corden, c., march, J. and kende, j. (2018). . Some of the
recommendations to these policies are: creating more affordable and supportive housing and
stabilizing rent, for those experiencing domestic violence creating a safe and stabilized shelter
that allow survivors to keep their jobs and avoid disrupting their children’s lives. By providing
additional safety measures and precautions to those that are experiencing domestic violence.
(Corden, c., et al, ) Prioritizing the processing of housing applications for homeless families will
ensure that homeless families receive assistance as quickly and efficiently as possible. Lastly,
Investing in aftercare services that help families access much-needed social supports, and
exploring the development of an affordable housing model that includes on-site services for
Figures title:4
families in need who do not qualify for supportive housing will help homeless families with
children to remain stably housed after leaving shelter. (Corden, c., et al, )
All of these services mentioned are tools and outlets of ways policies can make a
difference in the lives of children and families. I have been a witness to many families who has
come into shelter due to landlords inflation of rent, wanting too evict families due to their color
of skin, and sometimes just wanting the apartment back. Our generous efforts to address these
issues are important because we are advocating for the rights of our clients and families.
Implementing different strategies and plans to aide these families are important in fostering
human developments and coming too an end with the issue of homelessness.
Figures title:5
References
Ellen L. Bassuk et al., America’s Youngest Outcasts: A Report Card on Child Homelessness, THE NAT’L CTR. ON FAMILY
HOMELESSNESS 15 (November 2014), available at http://www.homelesschildrenamerica.org/mediadocs/280.pdf.
IMMANUEL KANT, THE METAPHYSICS OF MORALS 245 (Mary J. Gregor trans., Cambridge Univ. Press 1991)
Rodrigo (2011) The Causes of Young Homelessness and the Theory Behind It
Corden, c., march, J. and kende, j. (2018). 7 Policies to End Family Homelessness – Shelterforce. [online]
Shelterforce. Available at: https://shelterforce.org/2017/07/12/homelessness-housing-integrated-plannew-york/ [Accessed 2 Jul. 2018].
Figures title:6
Jack, Malcom
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/dpuprojects/drivers_urb_change/urb_infrastructure/pdf_shelter_settlements
/HI_Jack_Poverty_Children_Chelter.pdf
Figures title:7
Figures title:8
Running Head: HOMELESSNESS AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM
Homelessness as a Social Problem
Walden University
Homelessness as a Social Problem
1
HOMELESSNESS AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM
2
There are three classifications of homelessness; transient homelessness refers to
individuals who use shelters for a single brief stay, periodic homelessness refers to repeated but
brief stays at shelters, and finally, there is chronic homelessness referring to extended periods of
homelessness. Chronic homelessness is usually accompanied by a disabling condition such as
mental illness, developmental disability, substance abuse, or chronic illnesses; the chronic
homeless make up about 18% of the homeless population (Leprot et al., 2018). Homelessness is
a problem that has become a crisis in the United States. Data from 2018 shows that about
552,830 were homeless on a single night with 67% being single individuals and 33% being
families with children(State of Homelessness). The most common reasons for families to be
homeless are lack of affordable housing, unemployment, and poverty. For singles, however,
these reasons tend to be mental illness, substance abuse, and lack of affordable housing. Finding
affordable housing has become a major challenge for many Americans in urban areas; a 2017
report indicates that over 6.7 Million Americans had to spend over half their income on rent.
Despite poverty levels dropping since The Great Recession of 2007/2009, 42.6( 13.4% of the
general population) million people still live in poverty; this group of people struggles to afford
basic necessities including housing Other explanations for homelessness include escaping
domestic violence and racial inequality (State of Homelessness). African Americans report the
most disproportionate numbers when it comes to housing since they make up 40% of the
homeless population while only being 13% of the general population (State of Homelessness).
This situation emanates from systematic discrimination that has perpetuated disparities in
poverty and employment, housing, criminal justice, and health care. The existence of these
disparities has placed African Americans at greater risk of becoming homeless
HOMELESSNESS AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM
3
There has been an increase in the population of youth under 25 (with no parents or
children) being homeless. This group now accounts for 7% of the homeless population. This is a
result of these young people either running away from home or being kicked out. LGBT youth
and others who failed to finish high school are at greater risk of being homeless, especially in
African American and Latino communities (Morton et al., 2018). Young mothers also tend to
become homeless after their parents refuse to help them. Veterans make up about 11% of the
homeless population with nearly half being from the Vietnam War (National Coalition for
Homeless Veterans). The primary reason for homeless veterans is lack of access to healthcare
since many of them struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Substance abuse.
Veterans are as a result vulnerable to homelessness, especially if they lack support networks.
Other reasons include the lack of affordable housing and livable income, especially considering
the fact that military skills are not easily transferrable to the civilian workforce. Due to these
reasons, about 1.4 million veterans live at the risk of being homeless (National Coalition for
Homeless Veterans).
The 1980s marked the emergence of the modern homelessness problem. This is because
there were very many social forces at work that led to the current crisis. The changes that
occurred include The HIV/AIDS epidemic, gentrification of inner cities, rise in unemployment
levels, lack of affordable housing, deinstitutionalization of the mentally insane and budget cuts to
the Department of Housing and Urban Development and social agencies due to the recession that
rocked the country. Due to the recession property value in areas such as downtown went down
the drain and rooming houses that provided housing to the transient population were either
destroyed or converted into apartment or condominiums. The changes to the Supplementary
Security Income (SSI) and the Social Security act of 1980 also made it more difficult for the
HOMELESSNESS AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM
4
disabled and the mentally ill to get the help they needed to afford housing. The combination of
all these factors led to the rise of an unprecedented number of homeless people, and this trend
has become impossible to reverse. The 80s, for instance, changed the housing market
dramatically because since then rent in major cities has been rising while wages have stagnated
(National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2018).
The homeless problem can be explained by the pluralist model and power-elite model.
The pluralist model proposes that due to the existence of insider and outsider groups, there is
social exclusion. This is because the social groups with power are able to advance their interests
without considering the interests of those who are marginalized, such as minorities and LBGTQ
members. The power elite model, on the other hand, claims that since power is concentrated
among the wealthy, it is difficult for everyday citizens to get their interests addressed. According
to these two models, therefore, homelessness can result from being disadvantaged in the social
politics (Johnsen, Fitzpatrick & Watts, 2018). The dominant group, in this case, hold power, and
this leads to uneven distribution of resources. Therefore to address the problem, scholars propose
the development of equitable policies that will give marginalized communities a chance to get
educated, have employment, and make a fair income. The individual will eventually be able to
afford housing and healthcare among other needs (Popple & Leighninger, 2014).
In conclusion, therefore, homelessness is a deep-rooted social problem with a long
history. Periods of recession are usually accompanied by rising numbers in poverty and
homelessness. Under normal circumstances, homelessness is brought about by, lack of access to
affordable housing, mental health, and substance abuse issues, domestic violence, and racial
inequality. There are also vulnerable populations at risk of being homeless; these are; LGBT
youth, young mothers, and veterans.
HOMELESSNESS AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM
References
Johnsen, S., Fitzpatrick, S., & Watts, B. (2018). Homelessness and social control: a typology.
Housing Studies, 33(7), 1106-1126.
Liptrot, G., Pruden, D., Pollins, A., Parkin, L., & Alexander, D. (2018). Working together:
Homeless Outreach Mental Health and Housing Service (HOMHS). Parity, 31(10), 13.
Morton, M. H., Dworsky, A., Matjasko, J. L., Curry, S. R., Schlueter, D., Chávez, R., & Farrell,
A. F. (2018). Prevalence and correlates of youth homelessness in the United States.
Journal of Adolescent Health, 62(1), 14-21.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2018). Permanent supportive
housing: evaluating the evidence for improving health outcomes among people
experiencing chronic homelessness. National Academies Press.
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://nchv.org/index.php/news/media/background_and_statistics/
Popple, P. R., & Leighninger, L. (2014). The policy-based profession: An introduction to social
welfare policy analysis for social workers. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
State of Homelessness. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in
america/homelessness-statistics/state-of-homelessness-report/
5
Purchase answer to see full
attachment
Categories: