Olivia_Boecke_PolicyAnalysis

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Boecke 1 Homelessness Olivia Boecke Simmons University Class: 403 Social Policy and SW in Orgs & Communities Professor Kim Mathews November 12, 2023

Boecke 2 Introduction The focus of my paper is to delve into the issue of homelessness, examining who is affected by it and how it flagrantly violates people's basic human rights. Furthermore, I will scrutinize one social policy to address this social injustice. I intend to analyze this policy in great detail using the policy analyst framework, which will allow for a comprehensive and rigorous evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses. Why this Topic? I selected the topic of homelessness because I believe it is often disregarded and not given enough attention. It is crucial to understand homelessness as it impacts individuals, families, and communities. By acquiring knowledge about it, we can create awareness, advocate for change, provide support for those who are homeless, eradicate misunderstandings, and promote social justice. To ensure the information is easily understandable, it is essential to arrange it logically, prioritizing the most significant information and using short sentences. Instead of technical terms, we should utilize everyday language and explain concepts with simple verbs. Additionally, using active voice can clarify who performs the actions. Different target audiences have varying needs, and we must consider them while deciding what information to include and how to present it. Social identities encompass the various groups to which a person belongs. These groups significantly affect a person's experiences, opportunities, and societal perceptions. The social identities include but are not limited to race, gender, religion, nationality, and socio-economic status. Conversely, values are fundamental beliefs that shape a person's worldview and influence their actions and decision-making. A person's socio-economic background can significantly impact their viewpoint on homelessness. For example, individuals from higher socio-economic

Boecke 3 backgrounds may have a different perspective on homelessness compared to those from lower- income backgrounds. Privileged individuals may perceive homelessness as a remote issue that does not concern them personally. At the same time, those who have faced financial struggles may relate more closely to the challenges of homeless individuals. I consider myself fortunate to have parents who support my ambitions by providing a decent income and allowing me to stay with them until I complete my studies and establish myself. Conversely, individuals experiencing homelessness often do not have access to comparable support systems. Systemic inequalities can result in racial disparities that significantly impact perceptions of homelessness. As a result, certain racial or ethnic groups are unfairly affected by homelessness. This can lead to differing viewpoints, with marginalized racial groups viewing homelessness as a consequence of systemic injustices, while others may attribute it to individual deficiencies. The National Alliance to End Homelessness reports that African Americans, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders have the highest rates of homelessness, while individuals who are white have the lowest. My values, including empathy, compassion, social justice, and equality, shape my perspective on homelessness. I can empathize with individuals experiencing homelessness because I understand that it is a challenging situation. I also recognize that homelessness is not solely a result of an individual's lack of effort or unwillingness to work toward a solution. Instead, it is a broader systemic issue that requires attention and action. Brief Overview of Homelessness Homelessness has been a persistent issue throughout history. The term "homelessness" was first used in the United States in the 1870s to describe itinerant people traveling across the

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Boecke 4 country in search of work (National Academies, 2018). First, it became a national problem in the 1870s after the Civil War. At first, the people who were experiencing homelessness were young, non-disabled, white men who loved the open road and did not want to work in factories (National Academies, 2018). Later on, during World War II, “the typical individual experiencing homelessness continued to be disproportionately white and male but became increasingly older (usually over 50 years old), disabled, dependent on welfare or social security, and resided in cheap hotels, flophouses, and in single room occupancy hotels (SROs) located in the poorest neighborhoods” (National Academies, 2018). Several factors contributed to the rise of homelessness in the United States in the 1980s, including gentrification of the inner city, deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill, high unemployment rates, the emergence of HIV/AIDS, and inadequate supply of affordable housing options. Furthermore, deep budget cuts to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and social service agencies were made in response to the country's worst recession since the Great Depression (National Academies, 2018). In today's society, homelessness is on the rise. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, in 2022, 582,462 people were experiencing homelessness (National Academies, 2018). Homelessness is a global issue. It affects every country in the world. When you google homelessness, a bunch of homeless neighborhoods pop up. If you think about it, most of these homeless neighborhoods are around urban and rural areas. For example, Skid Row, which is an infamous homeless neighborhood, is located in Los Angeles, a huge city that has high living costs and not much affordable housing. Most of the people who are experiencing homelessness are individuals who are from a diverse population, for example, youth, veterans, LGBTQ plus individuals, and individuals who have mental health issues and are abusing sentences. The

Boecke 5 impact that homelessness has on individuals is horrible. Homelessness can impact the health of individuals, especially mental health, education, and many more. The United Nations human rights website gives a link to read more about how everyone deserves a safe home and living home, especially LGBTQ youth included. So, just by looking at this and by having it put into this website, I think that the LGBTIQ plus youth population are being kicked out of their homes because their parents do not support them, so they are becoming homeless more often. How It Is an Injustice Even in jurisdictions with sufficient means to address it, homelessness has been recognized by the UN as a global violation of human rights. According to the United Nations, homelessness not only highlights the urgent need for access to safe, affordable, and adequate housing for all but also constitutes a violation of multiple fundamental human rights. Furthermore, according to the UN, homelessness is stigmatized and frequently dealt with by forceful policies, violence, and criminalization that infringe upon rather than protect the rights of those who are affected. As per the United Nations, individuals who are facing homelessness frequently face discrimination because of their housing situation or lack of an official address. This can impact their political, economic, and social rights, including the ability to work, participate in elections, and receive certain social benefits (Homelessness, n.d). Chris Herring, the author of Tent City, America, claims that there is a municipal law that either limits or eliminates food sharing. This law prevents individuals or organizations from sharing food with homeless people without a permit. Additionally, groups that distribute food are required to meet strict safety regulations. As a result, this law contributes to the country's fastest- growing anti-homeless campaign (Herring, 2015). Food is a basic human right, so having laws

Boecke 6 that restrict organizations from giving out food to people in need or two people who are experiencing homelessness is outrageous. Social Policies The McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Program is a social policy designed to address the issue of homelessness. It is a collection of federal programs established by the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act, a federal law supporting homeless students' enrollment and education (Mitchell, n.d). In the 1980s, Congress enacted the Stewart McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, formally known as the Homeless Persons Survival Act, to address the homelessness crisis that was beginning to emerge. In 2000, the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act replaced the act. The stakeholders of this policy are those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless (Mitchell, n.d). Policy Analysis The problem is the need for a fixed, regular, adequate place to live at night. This definition also includes sharing housing due to financial hardship or losing one's home, staying in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds; sleeping in emergency or transitional shelters; and living in vehicles, parks, public areas, abandoned buildings, standard housing, bus or train stations (Institute Children, 2023). The social issue of homelessness was defined by people who were experiencing it and who were witnessing it. I would say that the problem of homelessness is well-documented because there are many statistics out there from different organizations. According to Mindy Mitchell, there have been 389,439 people experiencing homelessness whom they provided beds for, and there are 489,622 formally homeless people who are now in a permanent housing program (Mitchell, n.d). The policy aims to assist homeless people and those at risk of homelessness, particularly children, in attaining the education they deserve as humans.

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Boecke 7 McKinney Vento programs offer various services such as outreach, shelter, transitional housing, supportive services, short- and medium-term rent subsidies, and permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness or those at risk. By eliminating as many barriers as possible, young homeless individuals can access educational opportunities. I have some critiques about the policy. The policy aims to assist children from families who are either experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless to stay at their school. However, this policy should also be extended to adults. Alternatively, there should be a support system in place for adults who have kids and have been removed from school and are unable to return. Social Work Standpoint Social workers play a critical role in addressing homelessness. They help those who are homeless find affordable housing, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Social workers provide essential services like counseling, case management, and crisis intervention. They also connect people with resources like food, clothing, and shelter. Social workers work on a larger scale to influence policies and laws that address the root causes of homelessness. They believe everyone should have access to a secure and safe living place. The social work profession has greatly improved the social issue of homelessness. As per the report by Avalee Jaxson from Oregon, social workers have broadened the range of locations where people can access homeless services in the previous year, resulting in more individuals and families being able to avail of these services (Jaxson, 2023). Conclusion

Boecke 8 Homelessness is a significant social concern that is growing rapidly, and we urgently require more policies and services to aid individuals experiencing homelessness. I am passionate about this topic and aspire to work with families and children who are homeless, helping them access the services they need. Where I am from, I see people experiencing homelessness when I go to the store, gas station, work, etc. In this paper, I discussed homelessness as a social issue and analyzed a current policy to address it, even if it only provides limited assistance. I also talked about how social workers are helping individuals experiencing homelessness by assisting them in finding temporary housing and services.

Boecke 9 References Herring, C. (2015, December 1). Tent City, America . Places Journal. https://doi.org/10.22269/151214 Homelessness and human rights | ohchr . United Nations. (n.d.). https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-housing/homelessness-and-human-rights Jaxson, A. (2023, January 26). How social work helps the Homeless Cope with mental illness . MidWillamette Valley Homeless Alliance. https://mwvhomelessalliance.org/2023/01/26/how-social-work-helps-the-homeless-cope- withmental-illness/ The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act . Institute for Children Poverty Homelessness. (n.d.). https://www.icphusa.org/mkv/ Mitchell, M. (n.d.). Homeless assistance: McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Programs. https://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/AG-2019/04-15_Homeless-Assistance-McKinney- Vento.pdf National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice; Policy and Global Affairs; Science and Technology for Sustainability Program; Committee on an Evaluation of Permanent Supportive Housing Programs for Homeless Individuals. Permanent Supportive Housing: Evaluating the Evidence for Improving Health Outcomes Among People Experiencing Chronic Homelessness. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2018 Jul 11. Appendix B,

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Boecke 10 The History of Homelessness in the United States. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519584/ State of Homelessness: 2023 edition . National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2023, May 23). https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/homelessness-statistics/state-of- homelessness/

Olivia_Boecke_PolicyAnalysis

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