Summer
2011 I was in California. I went Los Angeles for a vacation with my family. I
was shocked when Phil said, “You better go to your room before sunset!” LA
downtown not safe at all at night, she said.
She explained to me that LA downtown has a homeless people come after
sunset and they are dangerous. The contradiction I saw there was the biggest
police department ever I saw in my life in LA downtown and how it is unsafe
during the night. You can see police officers everywhere all the day. At night
they disappear. Homelessness issue has impacts on the public safety, business,
public health and the community.
According
to HUD (U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development), “a homeless person is
an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence”
(5). The problem became national wide in
most states. All studies and researches have no accurate number of homeless
people in United States. It is estimated from 2.5 million to 3 million. This
huge estimated number reflects the danger of this issue could add.
In
Utah the situation is totally different. Utah has laws and politicians (in some
counties) who work hard against encouraging people to be homeless. The economy
status looks more stable but that is not the only reason. Family orientation, community support and
non-profit institutions are all helping factors of decreasing homelessness
percentage. “The population of
chronically homeless Utahns declined 69 percent from 2006 to 2011” (2), Julia
Lion said.
Although
the number of homeless Utahns is low compared to other states the number of
homeless kids is quite high. Barbra Smith stated, “More than 17,000 kids are
homeless in Utah” (1). That means Utah expecting thousands of homeless people
in next few years if they did not get the appropriate education and care.
The
causes of homelessness could be social problems, health issues, economic and
natural disasters. Lack of community support, legal issues, (prior felony
convictions, outstanding warrants, and lack of documentation), divorce,
domestic violence are all the most common causes for homelessness in the social
aspect.
Economy crisis on 2008 increased incredibly the rates of homeless
families and individuals. Families had been in difficulties due to the fact
that the shelters do not provide the services for the whole family. It provides
the services separately for males and females. This factor affects directly on
the families and creates social difficulties even more. Families get destroyed
because of lack of services and care they should get.
Communities also get affected from homelessness issue. In Los Angeles
case some areas became more dangerous and unsafe. Residents have to move to
another neighborhood where they can live in safe. The neighborhood they left
becomes even worst. Simply, it changes the cities.
High pregnancy rates, crime, sexual diseases, skin diseases, alcohol
misuse, and drugs (as users and dealers) all common problems in homeless
people. All these problems related directly to the public safety and public
health.
Lack
of affordable housing and job loss come in the top of reasons for homelessness
issue from the economic aspect. As I said the economy crisis made that clear.
Zusha
Elinson wrote a story about Mr.Stymiest the homeless person in San Francisco.
“Mr. Stymiest did not die alone … soon after he died more than 40 people from
the neighborhood gathered on Sunday morning for a memorial near a spot where
Mr.Stymiest often spent his days. There were. There were songs and cookies and
remembrances” (7), Elinson said. This is an example of what the community can
do for homeless people. The story of Mr. Stymiest is powerful and significant
to inspire the communities. Communities can do a lot for homeless people and
let them a member of their neighborhoods and how homeless people could belong
to them. Community support is a part of the solutions that does not cost
anything. Its benefits also are great for both homeless people and the
community.
It
is important to understand that the roots of homelessness issue are the
societies itself. Societies are part of the problem and in the time part of the
solutions. Government programs should also provide affordable housing. In New
Orleans city natural disasters were the main reason for homelessness. For
instance, government’s programs were unable to provide housing facilities for
all of those who lost their houses in hurricanes.
Should Utah be aware of this issue? Yes, Salt Lake City has an
appropriate environment for homelessness to grow. The shelter located in the
downtown. It is few steps away from the Public transportations Front runner
train and Trax free zone. Same distance from the one of main shopping malls in
Salt Lake City. The observer can easily notice homeless people in the streets
around the area. Drinking alcohol in public and using drugs could also be seen.
That means homeless people could increase fast and easy. Then, we may
reconsider the location of the shelter so that could help to discourage
homeless people to gather in that spot, especially from those who are coming
from out of the Utah. That area is great to run commercial and residential
business that will create more jobs. UTA also could get the advantage with more
riders for public transportation when we use that area effectively.
“Not only are we gathering data, but we’re gaining knowledge and understanding
of who we’re serving” (5), said Rob Weseman. It is important to gain the
knowledge and understanding the issue. That is giving Utah a unique vision and
experience could be improved.
The cost of homelessness problem is very high. Educational and treatment
programs are the most effective ways to decrease the consequences of
homelessness. Government and communities should help to provide affordable
housing. Creating jobs for homeless people can prevent them from crime
activities like burglary, prostitution, and selling drugs.
When
we look at the surface it seems easy to be solved but as we go deep in this
issue the more we surprise of the realty.
Social researchers, universities and
institutes should take the responsibility to reveal the problem. Homelessness
problems need more studies and researches to provide better understanding for
the issue itself and its consequences to the public. The fact says that there
is no accurate number of homeless people addressing us where should we go and
should we do.
If we do not take it serious in few years
this issue could the most challenging issue in United States on all aspects.
The economy could be destroyed and society fabric could be destroyed too.
Our future and our kids’ future are unclear. Everyone can do something
for himself and his kids by helping in this problem. That starts from your
neighborhood. Building a good relationship with homeless people is right way to
help them to help themselves. All they need is real care.
Getting them involved in their societies is the first step for
rehabilitation. We all have something to do. Let us do it.
Lyon, Julia. "Sharp Drop in Chronic Homelessness in Utah Hailed |
The Salt Lake Tribune." Utah Local News. Salt Lake Tribune, 28 Sept. 2011.
Web. 13 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/52652349-78/homeless-utah-homelessness-population.html.csp>.
Smith, Barbara. "Over 17,000 Utah Kids
Homeless" - ABC4.com. ABC4, 10 Mar. 2010. Web. 2 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.abc4.com/content/news/top_stories/story/SALT-LAKE-CITY-ABC-4-News-More-than-17-000-kid/KPLQeanaT0SViPvoqUFlxQ.cspx>.
ELINSON, ZUSHA. "Homeless Man Dies,
but He’s Far From Alone." THE NEW YORK TIMES, 11 Feb. 2012. Web. 2 Apr.
2012.
Adams, Brooke. "Utah Prepares for
Annual Count of the Homeless | The Salt Lake Tribune." THE SALT LAKE
TRIBUNE, 22 Jan. 2012. Web. 1 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/53341477-78/homeless-count-percent-utah.html.csp>.
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