In order to clear the stigma around homelessness, it is important to understand the struggles that members of the homeless population face. While their life circumstances are overbearing, we must empathize and take on a new perspective to best connect to homeless peoples’ needs and lives. So many of their stories are inspirational and shed light on what it means to live in systems of poverty. Read some stories from individuals who have experienced homelessness here as well as articles written by YFH members about issues that affect the homeless population. ArchivesCategories |
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The Effect of COVID-19 on Homelessness12/9/2020 By Arjun, CA Covid has had an enormous effect upon the amount of people that are homeless. Homelessness in America has increased by more than 40% in 2020 due to Covid, while also disproportionately affecting minorities. Even though homeless people are a part of less than 1% of the American population, they make up 16% of Covid patients and 15% of Covid related deaths.
The pandemic has made a big impact in reversing the work done to help fight homelessness. For example, schools closing down means students that are homeless have nowhere to be, and have to go from place to place for internet and basic resources. There has been some good done this year for homelessness like the CARES act. The CARES act, also known as The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, gave 1,200 dollars to adults making less than 99,000 dollars a year, but more importantly allocated money towards temporary housing and other housing and homelessness resources. There was also money allocated to helping students from low income families get food due to school not being in class. Although there has been increasing awareness of this situation, there is much more to be done for homelessness.
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By Aviela Issues with mental health are global and even harder to deal with when it comes to people who need to counter the issues of mental health, nourishment, shelter, and more. Every single night, around 600,000 people are homeless and about a quarter to a third of the homeless have severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, severe depression, or bipolar disorders which all require specific/special treatment. There has been a rise in the amount according to a study done in 2004 over a span of 20 years. The main sources of financial support come from Social Security given to the homeless by the federal government and local emergency public shelters.
Fortunately, there has been certain programs/services provided that help homeless people receive necessary treatment, such as the program titled “Critical Time Intervention”. “Critical Time Intervention” is a program designed for homeless mothers with dual diagnosis who had just been released from psychiatric hospitals or jails. It is hard for one to remain stable and happy when they have to deal with shelter and nourishment issues, especially when they have just gotten released from psychiatric hospital or a jail, as it is important for one to get back on their feet after being in a psychiatric hospital, as there is a possibility they could slip back into their old ways. The program includes transitional housing, intensive case management, and integrated treatment for the mental illnesses of the homeless. This program is definitely very beneficial for those who are homeless and need help with all types of mental illnesses, but more research is definitely needed to bring the homeless into permanent housing for them to recover and where the physical accommodations will be the best. There are already ideas for what has to be done though, such as the proposal from the authorities that the mentally ill should be provided with the services they would receive in a psychiatric hospital. There are many programs in place combating the issue of mental illness in the homeless population, but there is definitely more that can be done. |