Essay, Research Paper: Homelessness

Intro.

There cold and hungry and need a home. homelessness affects alot of people. Healthy
and sick, men and women, young and old. It's so sad that people have to go through life
like that. It makes you start to realize how very lucky we are. Some of us can't bye alot of
fancy clothing or expensive toy's and stuff like that. But think of the people who have
nothing at all. Accept the clothes on there back and some scraps of food.

Why are people homeless

Some people are homeless because of a lack of affordable housing. Others because of
incomes that are to low to pay for basic living expenses. But what all of this comes down
to is poverty. Poverty is when you don't have enough money to bye your essential or
basic needs. Poor people or people who life in poverty are unable to pay for housing,
food, child care, health care, or education.

Facts about the homeless

25-40% of the homeless work.
37% are families with children.
25% are children.
25-30% are mentally disabled.
30% are veterans.
and 40% are drug and alcohol dependent

Children and families are the fastest growing part of the homeless population. The typical
homeless family is a single, 20 year old mother with two children under the age of six.
Over one-third of homeless families have a open case for child abuse or neglect. Alot of
families have lost a child to a foster home. Most of the homeless people are males.

How people make money on the street's

Some of the homeless have job's. Just not job's that will make enough money for
housing. Other people beg or sing on the streets. Some people exchange sex for money,
food, clothing, and shelter. That is why there are alot of homeless people with STD's.

Illnesses

Some of the illnesses that the homeless suffer from Depression, mentally illness, STD's,
ammonia, dug & alcohol dependence, lice, exposure(like frost bite and sun stroke) poor
hygiene and anorexic.




Homeless Children

Some of the reasons children are homeless are because of family problems, sexual
abuse, and parental neglect. Some of children were kicked out of there homes, and some
have never lived in a home and live with there family that is homeless. But 46% of
homeless children are runaways. Alot of children on the street drink and do drugs. 50%
of homeless children come from middle and upper class homes. Alot of the children on
the streets are very violent. Most children make there money off sexual favors. So alot of
kids on the street have STD's.

Homeless Poem
Alone I sit with my head turned down,
No one see's my face in a frown.
I lost my family, and my home,
The streets are all I have to roam.
No one cares to look my way,
As if I have no more words to say.
I lost my world, I lost my Life,
Once I was a mother, once I was a wife.
But it's all gone, so are my dreams,
I'm all alone in the world it seems.
I walk the streets, day and night,
With my memories all bundled up tight.
I have nothing left to call my own,
But pictures in my pocket, of a life I once known.
People pass me and turn away,
For I am homeless, what can they say.
I have no bed, to lay down for sleep,
No clothes to change or food to eat.
My clothes are ragged and covered with dust,
My wedding band tarnished in deep red rust.
I sit and watch the cars go by,
no one notices as I begin to cry.
If I died right here in this very spot,
Would no one notice until my body rot.
No one sees my hurt or pain,
Because I'm Homeless, they think I'm insane.

By WANDA STIREWALT STARNES





How to end homelessness and how you can help

There are many organizations to help the homeless, like soup kitchens, donations, and
shelters. These things wont help all the homeless people, because some place don't have
a near by shelter or soup kitchen. Even the best organizations don't have enough
resources to serve all the homeless people. But they are at least helping some of the
homeless. Not alot is being done about preventing more people from becoming homeless.
There is still not alot of affordable houses or reasonable incomes. That is why the
homeless need your help. You could volunteer at a shelter, soup kitchen, or donate
something to a local donation. There are many thing you could do to help the homeless.

closing

Each year, one week before thanksgiving it is national hunger and homeless awareness
week. Please take the time to donate food, or clothing to some sort of donation for the
homeless. The homeless are people just like you and me they deserve to live. So please
take the time to think about all those poor souls, who are sick and cold and are sleeping
out side waiting and hoping for someone to help them. Thank you for your time.