Decades of faulty and misguided policies have made Homelessness a severe concern in society. Homelessness can be defined as the condition of disconnection from society distinguished by inadequate affiliative bonds which connect people to their social structures (Alowaimer, 2018). It is not only considered as a mere lack of abode or shelter but constitutes destitution of differing dimensions. (Shaw & Choi, 2019) highlighted that these aspects can be emotional (lack of joy or love), physiological (lack of warmth and bodily comfort), ontological (anomie or shortfall world rootedness), spiritual (scarcity of purpose or hope), and territorial (dearth privacy).
It may be further stated that homelessness circles an array of physical living situations. These include unsheltered living on the streets, emergency shelters for individuals faced by a disaster or where usual activities are suspended, temporary accommodation- especially for those individuals missing the security of tenure of land reclaimed back by the federal government, and finally, those faced with the danger of Homelessness in situations of uncertainty about current economic or housing conditions (Somerville, 2013). It is esteemed that Homelessness is not a fixed state for many individuals but just a musical experience. One’s home state and preference may adjust quite adequately and with recurrence.
Many factors contribute to families and communities being in danger of Homelessness. The first most considerable cause is due to the housing market’s overregulation. When housing prices are left uncontrolled, unsustainable increments render many homeless. For example, in the USA, a report by (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2016) highlighted that deregulation of significantly supply-constrained housing markets in metropolitan would see overall Homelessness reduced by 13%, down from 42% in major metropolitan areas.
Prevalence of personal demand aspects in the society is considered as another cause of reported Homelessness. Issues of substance abuse, severe mental illness, inadequate income, incarceration histories, and weakened social connections that increase homelessness risks and prevalence drive people into poverty and Homelessness. Another issue identified as a significant cause of Homelessness is the tolerability of living conditions on the streets. Warmer places on the streets are likely to have increased rates of unsheltered Homelessness. For example, a study by (Chamberlain & Johnson, 2013) indicated twice as many unsheltered populations in warmer States like California, Hawaii, Oregon, or Nevada than in other colder states. However, differing extents of policing activities on the streets might reduce numbers of unsheltered Homelessness in warmer States.
Provision of shelter and an increased supply of permanent housing substitutes is another factor that increases Homelessness. Many countries and states have laws that guarantee good quality shelter availability, considering the right-to-shelter policies and regulations. The report by (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2016) indicated 2.7 times higher Homelessness rates in the States of Washington, New York City, and Boston than in other states and cities that could not be explained by poverty rates, weather, or home prices. This is a clear indication that most sheltered individuals would rather not sleep on the streets due to improved shelter conditions. However, right-to-shelter policies are not considered cost-efficient approaches to guarantee people being housed.
Division of families resulting from abuse and violence in housing situations also drive many people into Homelessness. Problems such as divorce, conflicts, and the separation of parents, caregivers, and children increase the chances of Homelessness, especially where the afflicted do not have the financial capacity to support themselves (Nishio et al., 2017). People experiencing racism, misogyny, family or gender violence, and abuse, especially children, youth, and seniors exposed to sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, are at high risks of Homelessness.
Contrary to compelling evidence, most governments globally continue to insist non-existence of Homelessness. Sprawling squatter settlements and slums characterized by a horde of street children roving the streets seeking income opportunities are a norm in many developing countries. Insufficient data is a considerable barrier to developing coherent strategies and policies on Homelessness, even in countries that recognize homelessness existence. However, most developed countries have made significant strides in developing strategies to curb Homelessness.
Through the recommendation of a task force on Homelessness in 1999 by the Scottish parliament, Scotland bestowed the local authorities with the responsibility to ensure housing of homeless people. In their strategy, every unintended homeless person was accorded the right to a settled accommodation with an ambition to end Homelessness by 2012. Besides, a recommendation was proposed to the health authorities tasked with the duty to formulate action plans for homeless individuals’ health and welfare. The Scottish government still recognizes Homelessness as one of the primary 45 national priorities (Anderson, 2007).
The Finnish government has also taken action to reduce Homelessness in the past two decades. In February 2008, the government favored a Programme to Reduce Long-Term Homelessness with a fundamental focus of halving long-term Homelessness between 2008 and 2011. A special working group instituted by the Ministry of Environment was tasked with formulating innovative policies to tackle long-term Homelessness- being homeless for over a year or frequent Homelessness in the previous three years- by drawing on “housing first” principles. The programme recommended a considerable funding programme which combined funding for building accommodation and public financing for staff with the financial responsibilities being shared equally by the local authorities and the State. The programme was supported with solid political commitment and reinforced with sufficient financial resources (Busch-Geertsema, 2010).
Another example of practices and policies directed towards ending Homelessness can be referenced in France’s case. In November 2007, the French government, through the National Federation of Reception and Social Rehabilitation Centres (FNARS), proposed a consensus homelessness conference funded by the Social Cohesion Ministry. They resolved to integrate a cross-governmental approach centered on sustainable funding, consensual actions, and goals. The result was a joint inter-ministerial policy that has seen collaborative work executed by the State and other actors based on the Conference’s recommendations.
The social concern on Homelessness has had adverse impacts on society, especially families- mothers and children. There are many negative impacts on women and children as a result of Homelessness than exists positive aspects. Children and their mothers are exposed to unclean surroundings on the streets, posing severe health and nutrition implications due to inadequate access to a balanced diet. Cases of waterborne and airborne diseases have been reported globally to affect homeless people who are the most vulnerable and exposed. Education which is a fundamental right for every child is not guaranteed for families in the streets, with single mothers often unable to afford a decent education for their kids (Bassuk & Gallagher, 2014). Also, families on the streets, especially women, are exposed to the dangers of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, sexual violence, and unwanted pregnancies (Bassuk & Beardslee, 2014).
On the other hand, there are a few positive aspects of Homelessness, with particular attention to those with access to family shelters. Battered women are accorded a peaceful transition from violent domestic surroundings coupled with a myriad of other social problems. Children also benefit from peace and security outside their previous violent homes (Huttman & Redmond, 1992). Another positive feature is the instilment of good behavior practices on children who are often out of school and undisciplined. They are taught limits to their behavior and equipped with skills to interact with other people in a socially recognizable manner, helping them grow into respectful people in society and develop a sense of belonging (Catholic Relief Services, 2015). The other most crucial benefit to children is the access to structured education programs availed in family shelter facilities. They can access regular intervals of feeding, which previously lacked in their homes, rescuing them from the adversity of malnutrition (Buckner, 2008).
Strategies and resources to curb women and children Homelessness
Several systems exist to protect and enhance the safety of homeless women and their children. They include:
Multi-dimensional approach: Employment, health, housing, and education perspectives should be integrated into homelessness remediation strategies to cater to the welfare of homeless women and children.
Evidence-based approach: Police responses to court order breaches, law reforms, and strengthening of domestic violence courts and advocacy services need to be emphasized to curb Homelessness.
Comprehensive approach: Social welfare services for homeless women and their children through sanctuary schemes and outreach services should be prioritized by local authorities and national governments. Emergency services to prevent people from living in the streets are crucial. There should be an objective approach to integrating all homeless people due to differing needs and not making the process selective.
It is imperative to halt children going to the streets in the first place by enhancing the life-chances of disadvantaged households, especially women. Furthermore, the media’s portrayal of real-life on the streets should help bar people resolve to leave their homes by reducing the street’s attractiveness. However, authorities should be wary not to neglect women and children who have no safe havens at home.
REFERENCES
Alowaimer, O. (2018). Causes, Effects and Issues of Homeless People. Journal of Socialomics. https://doi.org/10.4172/2167-0358.1000223
Anderson, I. (2007). Sustainable solutions to Homelessness: the Scottish case. European Journal of Homelessness, 1, 163–183.
Bassuk, E. L., & Beardslee, W. R. (2014). Depression in homeless mothers: Addressing an unrecognized public health issue. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0098949
Bassuk, E. L., & Gallagher, E. M. (2014). The impact of Homelessness on children. In Homeless Children: The Watchers and the Waiters. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315059273
Buckner, J. C. (2008). Understanding the impact of Homelessness on children: Challenges and future research directions. American Behavioral Scientist. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002764207311984
Busch-Geertsema, V. (2010). The Finnish National Programme to reduce long-term Homelessness. Synthesis Report for European Peer Review), OESB, Wien.
Catholic Relief Services. (2015). Urban shelter and settlement recovery a ‘menu of options’ for households. Humanitarian Exchange Magazine.
Chamberlain, C., & Johnson, G. (2013). Pathways into adult homelessness. Journal of Sociology. https://doi.org/10.1177/1440783311422458
Huttman, E., & Redmond, S. (1992). Women and Homelessness: Evidence of need to look beyond shelters to long term social service assistance and permanent housing. Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare.
National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2016). The State of Homelessness in America. American Journal of Public Health.
Nishio, A., Horita, R., Sado, T., Mizutani, S., Watanabe, T., Uehara, R., & Yamamoto, M. (2017). Causes of homelessness prevalence: Relationship between Homelessness and disability. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. https://doi.org/10.1111/pcn.12469
Shaw, S., & Choi, N. (2019). Homelessness. In Empirically Based Interventions Targeting Social Problems. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28487-9_9
Somerville, P. (2013). Understanding Homelessness. In Housing, Theory and Society. https://doi.org/10.1080/14036096.2012.756096
