Transitional homelessness refers to the majority of homeless persons who generally enter the shelter short term. These people are usually younger and have become homeless due to some catastrophic event. Chronic homelessness refers to a small population of homeless people who are entrenched in the shelter system, on a long-term basis. These tend to be older, unemployed people who suffer from disabilities and substance abuse. Episodic homelessness refers to those who frequently enter and exit homelessness. In general, there are multiple causes as to why people become homeless. One important aspect that has contributed to homelessness is the lack of affordable housing and the limited scale of housing assistance programs. Housing wages often exceed wages earned by low-income renter households, which can often lead to eviction and homelessness. Another important aspect that has contributed to homelessness is poverty. Poor people cannot pay for housing, food, health care and many other necessities. Poverty is increasing for many reasons, including the decline in available public assistance and the lack of employment opportunities. Other major aspects that contribute to homelessness are the lack of affordable health care, domestic violence, mental illness and addiction. Homelessness in America is a massive issue that affects all areas, including Louisville, Kentucky. There has been a major increase in the number of homeless people in Louisville, especially in the young adult and teen population. A story by local news station WDRB stated that, “11,000 people stayed in 27 homeless shelters in the Louisville area… That 's a 3% increase from the previous year. But what is even more alarming is the number of homeless children -- a 58% increase.” Not only are the homelessness rates on an increase in Louisville, but the human services program to help homeless people are facing cuts. A local shelter that houses the homeless known as Volunteers of America is one of many shelters that will lose funding, decreasing the amount of homeless people they can help. Although the human services programs are facing cuts, there are also organizations in Louisville that are focused on improving the lives of the homeless. The Coalition for the Homeless is a nonprofit organization that serves the homeless in our community by providing housing, clothing, food, health care and legal services to all categories of the homeless (children, families, veterans). “They move over 5,000 people each year from homelessness to permanent housing with support from our community.” (louhomeless.org). They educate
Transitional homelessness refers to the majority of homeless persons who generally enter the shelter short term. These people are usually younger and have become homeless due to some catastrophic event. Chronic homelessness refers to a small population of homeless people who are entrenched in the shelter system, on a long-term basis. These tend to be older, unemployed people who suffer from disabilities and substance abuse. Episodic homelessness refers to those who frequently enter and exit homelessness. In general, there are multiple causes as to why people become homeless. One important aspect that has contributed to homelessness is the lack of affordable housing and the limited scale of housing assistance programs. Housing wages often exceed wages earned by low-income renter households, which can often lead to eviction and homelessness. Another important aspect that has contributed to homelessness is poverty. Poor people cannot pay for housing, food, health care and many other necessities. Poverty is increasing for many reasons, including the decline in available public assistance and the lack of employment opportunities. Other major aspects that contribute to homelessness are the lack of affordable health care, domestic violence, mental illness and addiction. Homelessness in America is a massive issue that affects all areas, including Louisville, Kentucky. There has been a major increase in the number of homeless people in Louisville, especially in the young adult and teen population. A story by local news station WDRB stated that, “11,000 people stayed in 27 homeless shelters in the Louisville area… That 's a 3% increase from the previous year. But what is even more alarming is the number of homeless children -- a 58% increase.” Not only are the homelessness rates on an increase in Louisville, but the human services program to help homeless people are facing cuts. A local shelter that houses the homeless known as Volunteers of America is one of many shelters that will lose funding, decreasing the amount of homeless people they can help. Although the human services programs are facing cuts, there are also organizations in Louisville that are focused on improving the lives of the homeless. The Coalition for the Homeless is a nonprofit organization that serves the homeless in our community by providing housing, clothing, food, health care and legal services to all categories of the homeless (children, families, veterans). “They move over 5,000 people each year from homelessness to permanent housing with support from our community.” (louhomeless.org). They educate