Abramson, M. (2022) Homelessness in America NY Times.
Regardless of the reason a person becomes homeless, it is imperative that we become informed of the severity of the situation and work together to achieve effective solutions to end the crisis of homelessness.
Whether it is a person who is pushed into homelessness because of unaffordable housing, has a disability or mental illness, is a victim of abuse or falls victim to substance abuse and addiction and is not able to maintain housing, we need to recognize that these people are marginalized and need to be dignified and helped to get back on their feet and/or facilitate a treatment program tailored for their specific need.
Further fueling the problem, is the opioid epidemic which has contributed to the increase in premature deaths and homelessness.
Poverty is a pervasive issue with far-reaching consequences, affecting individuals and communities across the globe. Two critical aspects contributing to the widespread problem of poverty are the lack of affordable housing and the rising homelessness rates, which have been further exacerbated by inflation.
America’s Homelessness Crisis Is Getting Worse - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Homelessness rose by a modest 0.3 percent from 2020 to 2022, a period marked by both pandemic-related economic disruptions and robust investments of federal resources into human services.
Homelessness has been on the rise since 2017, experiencing an overall increase of 6 percent. In 2022, counts of individuals (421,392 people) and chronically homeless individuals (127,768) reached record highs in the history of data collection.
Unsheltered rates are also trending upward, impacting most racial, ethnic, and gender subgroups. This concerning trend highlights the systemic nature of homelessness, as it transcends demographic boundaries, affecting individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Homeless services systems continued to expand the availability of both temporary and permanent beds in 2022, but these resources still fall short of reaching everyone in need.
Child homelessness is a deeply troubling and often overlooked crisis that plagues many communities. In recent years, the number of children experiencing homelessness has seen a concerning increase, with the problem persisting in both urban and rural areas.
Families were living on the street, in a car, or in another place not meant for human habitation.
Many of these young people become victims of sex trafficking, labor trafficking, or both.
Families were living on the street, in a car, or in another place not meant for human habitation.
In recent years, there has been a concerning rise in homelessness among older adults. It's estimated that thousands of elderly individuals are experiencing homelessness.
UrbanVisual, .., Tiktok (2023). Horrific footage shows devastation of Philadelphia’s ‘tranq’ epidemic [Photograph]. NY Post. https://nypost.com/2023/05/27/horrific-footage-shows-devastation-of-philadelphias-tranq-epidemic/
Painkiller drugs, often prescribed for legitimate medical purposes, have become a concerning gateway to heroin use. This phenomenon is rooted in the addictive nature of opioids, the class of drugs to which both painkillers and heroin belong.
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Teenage Drug Addiction: Substance use at school: 86% of teenagers know someone who uses a substance during the school day.Drug misuse: 50% of teens report misusing a drug at least once.National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics. Drug use among youth: facts & statistics. Drug use in preteens: Drug use among eighth-graders increased 61% from 2016-2020.
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Addiction, in its various forms, can become a harrowing path leading individuals and families into the depths of poverty. While substance abuse is a well-documented cause, it's essential to recognize that other addictions, such as gambling and compulsive spending, also have the potential to result in financial ruin.
Read More +The nation has been grappling with a devastating surge in overdose deaths involving heroin and other opioids. This crisis has reached alarming proportions, with communities across the country feeling its profound impact. Often, individuals who initially became addicted to prescription opioids find themselves turning to cheaper and more readily available substances like heroin, which can have even deadlier consequences. The opioid epidemic has been a multifaceted challenge, necessitating urgent action, including increased access to addiction treatment, harm reduction strategies, and enhanced efforts to curb the illicit drug trade.
Mental illness affects millions of individuals worldwide, encompassing a broad spectrum of conditions from anxiety and depression to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
According to the National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an estimated 9.8 million adults aged 18 or older in the U.S. had a serious mental illness (SMI), including 2.5 million adults living below the poverty line.
Parental substance abuse has a major impact on the well-being of children. It is estimated that 1 in 8 children in the United States this average to about 8.7 million children live with at least one parent who abuses alcohol in the United States alone.The Link Between Child Abuse and Substance Abuseor other drugs. Parents with substance abuse problems are less likely to effectively function in a parental role. This is due to the constant physical and mental impairment caused by alcohol and drugs, the difficulties with regulating emotions and controlling anger and impulsivity, the lack of household resources stemming from habitual spending on drugs and alcohol, and the amount of time spent away from children during incarceration or while seeking out, manufacturing, or using alcohol and drugs.
Serious Mental Illness
Know the facts
Get involved in your local community (local food pantries, local churches, homeless organizations)
Links for additional resources
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