A large number of people are not aware of how big a problem homelessness is in the major cities of the world. On the other hand, some people who are aware of the magnitude of the problem of homelessness turn a blind eye to it because discussing matters such as poverty and homelessness can be uncomfortable for those living a wealthy lifestyle.
“People who are homeless are not social inadequates. They are just people without homes.”
-Sheila McKechnie
There are several causes to homelessness. One of the major causes of homelessness is unemployment. The lack of employment causes people to not have enough income to meet even the most basic needs such as shelter.
“The real minimum wage is zero unemployment.”
-Thomas Sowell
Lack of affordable housing, high rent burdens and overcrowding have forced many people to become homeless. Discrimination also seems to be major cause for homelessness, as discrmination is often a precursor to one becoming homeless and being homeless, in turn, causes one to be discriminated against.
However, a complex problem like homelessness cannot be defined by a handful of causes. A number of societal and individual factors come into play which are unique for each case.
Providing affordable housing, employment opportunities, and removing discrimination are good solutions for prevention of homelessness. By providing more employment opportunities, the homeless can become more self reliant and it will also prevent social exclusion.
“Home is a notion that only nations of the homeless fully appreciate and only the uprooted comprehend.”
– Wallace Stegner
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