Shane Swords

12/06/15
ENC1101/Massey
Homelessness Argumentative Essay
In today's falling economy, homelessness is something seen on every streetcorner of the big cities. Begging for money isn't uncommon, and the more that
stocks falls and the more money we spend on this war, the likelihood of an
American of any income class becoming homeless grow with every passing day.
Focusing on many factors of homelessness, such as education, income, children,
and housing, there are many scientists and experts trying to explain why these are
the problem with each of these topics, and dig out possible solutions. The question
is why havent we found a solution to this world-wide issue?
Throughout the world it is impossible to count the exact amount of homeless,
but it is known to be millions. In the United States alone 750,000 people experience
homelessness every night. 100,000 New Yorkers experience homelessness each
year. Each night, nearly 32,000 homeless individuals sleep in the New York shelter
system. According to the most recent estimates from the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development (herein after HUD), 636,017 people were
homeless on a single night in January 2011. Of these totals, sixty-three percent
were homeless individuals, while thirty-seven percent were homeless persons in
families. This shows how badly that homelessness is, and how it is something
epidemic. Homeless people face an intense struggle just to stay alive despite the
fact that society turns its head from the problem. The government makes laws that

Swords, Shane 2
discriminate against homeless people, which make it, illegal for them to survive.
The mistreatment of homeless people is an issue that is often ignored in our
community.
When you see a homeless person on the streets how do you react? Do you
turn your head and ignore them? Most people in our society think the dirty, smelling
homeless show signs of drug addictions. Others smell like alcohol, which shows their
drunkenness. The homeless people who choose to do such things set a bad
example for the other homeless individuals who truly need help. Some people in
society may feel sad when questioned by panhandlers; others feel anger or even
fear. For example, in Figure 1, the man is just
trying to make some money to support himself.
Thats all. Some people think that is a bad thing
to do, and judge the homeless with that sense of
mind. Its not that people are bad, but if we make
eye contact, or engage in conversation, then we
have to admit they exist and that we might have
a basic human need to care. But it is so much easier

Figure 1: Homeless man panhandles for

money on the street.

to simply close our eyes and shield our hearts to their

existence. Homelessness is a condition where people
do not have legal access to adequate housing.
Panhandling sucks. Its just hard. You have to take so much rejection, said Paul
Boden, who was once homeless for several years. If someone gives them money
they may respond with prayers of thanks and blessings, or stare off into space
feeling untouched by efforts to help. These people are called homeless, although
they are more than just people without homes.

Swords, Shane 3
Veterans make up about one-third of the total number of homeless men.
There are so many reasons as to why so many veterans are homeless. Several
reasons include the fact that they suffer from the after-effects from war. PTSD is a
main affect that a handful of veterans suffer from because it is life changing. Most
jobs do not like to hire people who have PTSD for legal issues, and that is basically
why you wouldnt see a PTSD war vet in a multimillionaire company. Health and
mental health problems reflected a wide range of concerns centered around chronic
health problems, substance abuse, psychosocial and clinically diagnosed problems,
and self-esteem problems. Veterans consistently discussed their efforts to deal
with medical and clinical problems such as seizures, depression, schizophrenia,
adjustment issues, PTSD and flashbacks and the compounding effects of these
problems on their daily struggle for survival. They cannot survive with these effects
and it is a true struggle for them.
There are a number of things that people can personally do to help the
homeless. If people throughout society open their hearts, and gain knowledge of the
causes and effects of homelessness you may learn to realize that the world needs a
change. While creating unity, we may possibly never end homelessness, but we can
help reduce the number of people who are homeless. There are so many
organizations out there, like Boy/Girl Scouts of America that support and help the
homeless as a way to better the community that they live in, shown in Figure 2.
The homeless individuals too, must put in effort for a difference by telling the truth
and showing action of commitment by helping each other. Homelessness is a
condition where people do not have legal access to adequate housing. It has been
known by community researchers as a social problem, caused by a weak economy,
therefore homelessness will continue to increase. Homeless people cannot find

Swords, Shane 4
jobs because they are handicapped or have unstable minds. Those people often try
to earn money by selling jewelry or
panhandling. This is also illegal. Between
the work force and the laws that the
government creates, it is impossible for a
homeless person to support his or herself.
There are many other laws that also
discriminate against homeless people.
There are many solutions humans
can make happen, all we have to do is follow through

Figure 2: Girl Scouts help volunteer in

aiding the homeless.

with it. There are a number of things that you can personally do to help the
homeless. You can donate money, clothing, and food to shelters or organizations.
That little penny or that old shirt that you no longer want will help. Canned foods
and other perishables are gladly appreciated. You can volunteer your services at
shelters and organizations. Talking to the homeless people could make the people
feel better. Homeless people are still human and they still want communication
amongst other people. Attend a fundraiser or any other event that supports the
homeless. Help the homeless find a job so they can start rebuilding their lives.
Such a problem requires all levels of government to work together in order to find
solutions. Another thing that you can try is to get the government involved. Write
to the government and state officials about the homeless situation. Most poor
families and individuals seeking housing assistance are placed on a waiting list for
three years or more. More affordable housing must be made available to lowincome people. Minimum wage has to be increased, enough to live comfortably.

Swords, Shane 5
There are a number of organizations that provides services to the homeless. Many
of these organizations have a website on the Internet.
In conclusion, we can help others, but we need to make sure that were
helping the right people. If we help the wrong people, then more people will become
homeless, but if we help the right people, then we can clear the streets of the
homeless.

Applewhite, Steven Lozano. Homeless veterans: perspectives on social services use.

Social work. 42. 1 (Jan.1997): p19. Academic OneFile. 17 Nov 2015.
Foscarinis, Maria. "Homelessness in America: a human rights crisis." Journal of Law in
Society 13.2 (2012): 515+. Academic OneFile. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.
Homeless Man Pan Handling. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2015
Mitchell, Juanita. "StandUp For Kids." StandUp For Kids. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
Montgomery County Coalition For The Homeless. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2015
Nunez, Ralph, and Cybelle Fox. "A snapshot of family homelessness across America."
Political Science Quarterly 114.2 (1999): 289. Academic OneFile. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.

Swords, Shane 6
Surowiecki, James. "Give the Homeless Homes - The New Yorker." Home Free? The New
Yorker, n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.