Homeless People in America

Homeless People in America

"As many as 3.5 million Americans are homeless each year. Of these, more than 1 million are children and on any given night, more than 300,000 children are homeless," reports Jeff Maide (Top Causes of Homelessness in America.) On any day or evening you can see homeless people, with the majority of them being families with children. The families that are homeless are more susceptible to sickness and diseases. Families are experiencing traumatic events that cause homelessness. Divorce, cost of living, sickness, drug addiction, PTSD in war victims and mental disabilities are the leading causes of being homeless. Unfortunately in these days and times an everyday occurrence to poor people can cause homelessness. Debilitating illnesses or death can cause people to lose their homes as well. Hurricane Katrina had a major effect on people's lives; there were thousands of families that lost their homes to that devastating natural cause.

Fortunately there are resources available for the homeless. There are shelters available, Rescue Missions, Salvation Army and local emergency funds to help homeless people in need. There are also a number of resources that can help train family members for new jobs, provide counseling and job reintegration. There are some organizations that play a specific part in helping homeless families get back on their feet, by providing housing. They also provide childcare, job training, and job placement. This training and assistance is crucial in helping homeless people get back on their feet and train for jobs so that they can provide a place to live for their families. If not for the assistance of the government and volunteer organizations the effects on the homeless could be even more devastating.

WORKS CITED

Maide, Jeff. "Top Causes of Homelessness in America." wrytestuff.com. 29 January 2010. 5 February 2012.