Homelessness Response Essay

The author states how she has learned about the inadequacies of the so-called safety net. As well as how the resources available to assist families in homeless situations if far from reality and is more of a theory. The pressure of hunger strikes and activism made President Reagan direct Congress to designate a modicum of money and administrative attention to address homelessness back in 1987. (Nilan, 2013) The McKinney-Vento Act is the federal plan to address homelessness. It mandates that all federal departments sit at the same table to coordinate efforts, under the auspices of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, USICH. However, scant attention and resources (a meager $2 billion) are ineffectively directed at this growing national crisis. (Nilan, 2013) Instead the criminalizing of homelessness began and …show more content…
The changes to HUD also changed housing regulation making it harder for families to get housing and reduced subsidized housing. Bill Clinton’s administration attempted to address homelessness but focusing on men and women labeled as “chronic” including veterans, elderly, mentally ill, physically diminished. This left families out and it made it difficult for them to ask for help, with the fear of having their children removed. HUD requires communities to count their homeless population but it does not consider different forms of homelessness. To this day there is still a need for flexible family housing solutions. A program, UMOM in Arizona addresses homelessness by creating myriad housing and individually tailored services. This is a great start to help individuals but it is crucial that we address the policy changes that have made it difficult for families to receive support when facing homelessness. There also needs to be awareness of the policy changes, the effects and how we should address homelessness since many homeless may feel that they have no