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1 Leah Kwiatkowski #6640 Research Paper SW 325-001 - Fall 2023 Dr. Slay

2 This research paper focuses on the unhoused population in the United States. Being “homeless” or unhoused refers to any person who does not have a regular or adequate sleeping arrangement. This is a social justice issue because Americans have differing views on how much support we should offer unhoused individuals and unhoused people do not have the same opportunities as everyone. Having humans who are living on the street is inequitable. Many unhoused people also face marginalization. There are stereotypes in the media about homeless people being lazy or unmotivated. Statements like these lack empathy and intelligence. Being unhoused is most likely not the choice for “582,462 individuals experiencing homelessness in 2022” (Curls, 2022). Given the amount of reported homeless people in 2022, there is a clear issue in the United States with homelessness. The data for 2023 has yet to be released, but given the current rising prices one can only imagine the rate of individuals facing homelessness will increase. This supports the need for a change as quickly as possible to prevent this issue from increasing. Going further, “sixty-five percent of the homeless population finds refuge”, but what happens to the other 45%?. This evidence supports the idea that more needs to be done. Currently, there is a large demographic of individuals in the United States impacted by homelessness. Not only do these individuals face the issues of being unhoused and finding their human needs, they face other challenges such as job discrimination, oppression, as well as mental and psychical health challenges. Despite the prices of food, water and other basic necessities increasing, there has not been an increase to the federal minimum hourly wage. “The federal minimum hourly wage is just $7.25 and has not increased since 2009. “ (Zipperer, 2023). These statistics show that the population of unhoused people will continue to grow if changes are not made. Furthermore, refugees and migrants are being sent to cities with no housing or support and being expected to figure it out on their own. “The goal is to get the new arrivals off the

3 floors of police stations and other public spaces before winter comes.” (Kapos, 2023). This is a very devastating situation, asylum seekers are headed looking for safety but are not being given a safe space to live. It is evident that the rate of homeless individuals will continue if the refugees and migrants are not better supported. Over the years, there have been many attempts made by the government in an attempt to curb homeless rates in the United States. Attempts such as the affordable care and housing act, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, (HUD) which works to provide funding for emergency shelters, permanent shelters and more for individuals who are experiencing homelessness. These actions have helped some, but many Americans are still struggling. The most current event is the Ending Homelessness Act of 2021. The goal of this bill is to end homelessness entirely in the United States. The most prominent issue is these acts and bills take time and currently are not able to provide enough funding to completely solve this issue once and for all. There are currently government assistance programs, shelters and in place which make some impact, but the impact is not strong enough.” In 2022, there were 329,675 beds in emergency shelters across the country available to homeless individuals “ (Curls, 2022). That only meets approximately half the needs of the individuals who were experiencing homelessness in 2022. Given this information, these programs are somewhat effective. While there were “329,675 beds available”(Curls, 2022), that leaves many individuals unaccounted for and unhoused. This acknowledges the good that has been done while highlighting those individuals who are left out and unable to receive further support. Looking into recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic has had many effects on the homeless population. During the most extreme times of COVID, the government gave out stimulus checks in order to help individuals survive while they were unable to work. This acted

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4 as a bandaid and only helped the situation temporarily. “ Two years after pandemic aid ended, homelessness in cities and states across the U.S. is on the rise.” (Brooks, 2023). This supports the fact that the pandemic has had drastic effects on the homeless population. Looking at rates of homelessness in 2022 compared to 2020 when the government provided more aid, there is a large difference. “That’s about 18 per 10,000 people in the US, up about 2,000 people from 2020.” (Curls, 2022). This is a quite drastic change to see in just two years. Many fear that this social justice issue will continue to get worse if actions are not taken. “ The increase in the number of people without a place to live comes amid soaring housing costs and rising prices for essentials like food and transportation.” (Brooks, 2023). As the price of living increases and the federal minimum wage stays the same, it's hard to imagine how individuals will be able to survive in these conditions. Federal aid tends to act as a temporary relief and can be difficult to obtain. All this being said, it is clear a more permanent solution is required to not only help those individuals facing homelessness before the pandemic and to prevent this from happening again in the future. One may ask themselves, how can we better support the unhoused population in America, and make up for the struggles many have faced. In my mind the best way to help the unhoused population currently would be to make them as comfortable as they can be right now, with plans of creating more homeless shelters as well as resource centers. This will have some type of immediate benefits. Once these immediate benefits are felt, we must continue as a society to push for support in the long term. For example, one of the biggest arguments I hear about an unhoused person is “just get a job”. Being realistic, this is not as easy as one may think. In order to get a job you have to go to an interview, going to an interview you will be most likely be required to bring a printed resume, ID, and show up looking “presentable”; and if an individual is

5 able to do all this, and get a job; they will need a bank account to access their money. This is something that many unhoused people cannot do on their own. They may not have an identification card, a place to create and print a resume, or access to clean clothes and shower. Without support from the government and community, unhoused people may have a very difficult time getting on their feet. Compassion is very important in these situations due to the negative stereotypes about homeless people such as them being defined as lazy, drug addicts, and more in the media. University students can take part in voting, protesting and other forms of advocacy to better support the population of unhoused individuals in the United States. We can spread awareness and ask our campus presidents like Eli Cappitualo to host a volunteer event where students could make meals and deliver the food to local unhoused individuals. We can also instill our knowledge and help break the stereotypes heard about unhoused people. As stated in class, the power of telling three individuals about something can make a large impact. Sharing our thoughts and spreading awareness on this issue is important. Voting for elected officials who have similar viewpoints on the unhoused population is another way that college students can work to make a change. Overall as a society we must collectively vow to do more, change stereotypes and help this generation as well as the next. Until everyone can admit there is a problem, it will be hard to solve it homelessness entirely. In conclusion, homelessness in the United States is an issue that has caused individuals to face many forms of discrimination and oppression. Homelessness has been an issue for centuries and will continue to get worse if actions are not taken. While some government policies like HUD work to provide shelter and other necessities no human being should have to live on the street. As a society we need to come together and do more to support each other if we wish to make a lasting impact on the unhoused population in the United States.

6 References: Brooks, Khristopher J. “Homelessness Rose in the U.S. after Pandemic Aid Dried Up.” CBS News , CBS Interactive, 21 June 2023, www.cbsnews.com/news/federal-homelessness- statistics-us-2023-data/ “How Many Homeless People Are in the US? What Does the Data Miss?” USAFacts , USAFacts, 23 May 2023, https://usafacts.org/articles/how-many-homeless-people-are-in-the-us- what-does-the-data-miss/#:~:text=The%20Department%20of%20Housing%20and,about %202%2C000%20people%20from%202020 Kapos, Shia. “Republican-Bused Migrants Throw a Wrench into Democrats’ Convention Planning.” POLITICO , 22 Oct. 2023, www.politico.com/news/2023/10/22/chicago-migrant- crisis-democratic-national-convention-00122886#:~:text=Chicago%20has%20seen%20more %20than,And%20frustration%20is%20mounting Zipperer , Ben. “The Impact of the Raise the Wage Act of 2023.” Economic Policy Institute , 25 July 2023, www.epi.org/publication/rtwa-2023-impact-fact-sheet/#:~:text=The %20federal%20minimum%20hourly%20wage,%2417%20an%20hour%20by%202028 Curls, A. (2023, September 22). National Homeless Facts and Statistics (2023) . Today’s Homeowner. https://todayshomeowner.com/general/guides/national-homeless-facts-and- statistics/#:~:text=as%20of%202023.-,Key%20Homelessness%20Statistics%20and%20Facts %20for%202023,live%20in%20inadequate%20housing%20conditions.&text=In%20America %2C%20582%2C462%20individuals%20are,complete%20census%20conducted%20in%202020 Phelan, J., & Link, B. (2011, October 7). Who are “the homeless”? Reconsidering the stability and composition of the homeless population. https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/ajph.89.9.1334

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