Why should we help homeless people? What are innovative approaches to homelessness?
Just because someone doesn’t have a home, doesn’t mean they don’t deserve human rights. The unhoused population still needs food, shelter, medicine, and clothes, just like everyone else.
Let’s look at why helping the homeless will benefit everyone and the solutions to solving the housing crisis.
Understanding the Housing Crisis
You might wonder why we should help homeless people. The answer lies in the complex web of societal issues that contribute to this growing problem. Worldwide, approximately 1.8 billion people lack adequate housing, with nearly 150 million completely without shelter. Economic conditions, government policies, and deep-rooted inequalities all play significant roles in perpetuating homelessness.
The Scope of Homelessness
In the United States, annual surveys show the homeless population fluctuates between 500,000 and 600,000 individuals. However, these counts likely underestimate the true numbers, missing hidden populations. Homelessness takes various forms, from invisible individuals to those experiencing sporadic bouts of homelessness or chronic conditions.
A considerable portion of the American population grapples with housing instability, exposing them to the risk of homelessness or rent struggles. Rising housing prices and the constant threat of eviction suggest an impending increase in homelessness.
Historical Context and Systemic Issues
The homelessness crisis began in the 1980s, marked by the closure of Long Island access and the disappearance of shelter and addiction recovery services. This event underscored deep-seated problems in housing and healthcare systems.
Entrenched societal exclusion, including racial discrimination, insufficient governmental funding, and the impact of urban renewal, intensifies the issue. A significant portion of the homeless demographic consists of Black Americans.
Innovative Approaches to Homelessness
The Boston Health Care for the Homeless program has developed a comprehensive strategy catering to both healthcare and housing requirements for the homeless. Their approach includes care coordination and direct healthcare delivery to vulnerable populations.
- Emphasizing housing as a human right: The program is founded on the belief that housing is a basic entitlement for every person. It advocates for strategies that emphasize patients’ unique requirements and focuses on preventing displacement and homelessness.
- Successful initiatives: The 100,000 Homes Campaign, led by Community Solutions, effectively provided housing for homeless individuals by combining healthcare and social services through shared knowledge and united efforts.
- Pioneering approach: The Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program pioneered unique approaches, such as the Street Team and the Consumer Preference Supported Housing Model, underscoring the importance of integrating housing into empathetic care for the homeless.
- The need for comprehensive solutions: Recent incidents, such as Transit Police forcing homeless individuals to vacate South Station during freezing conditions, highlight the importance of recognizing housing as a fundamental human right. These circumstances emphasize the need for strong support systems, collaborative efforts between agencies, and advocacy for strategies that aim to comprehensively eliminate homelessness.
