Essay On Homelessness In America

Homelessness in America The deeply rooted problem of homelessness has plagued our country from its beginning. The widespread effects of this devastating issue affect over 500,000 Americans every night (Quigley). Two of the major contributing factors of homelessness in America are mental illness and poverty. Governments, churches, and private organization try to remedy these problems. Many people who suffer from being homeless also suffer from a mental illness. Because they suffer from a mental illness, it restricts them from holding a job. It also could cause them to retract themselves from society. After they become homeless, it only worsens their mental state because they no longer receive the correct medications or the correct care to help them get better (The National Coalition for the Homeless). Many veterans, who account for over 50,000 of homeless people, suffer from PTSD. This is a mental disorder that develops after witnessing a tragic event, like …show more content…
This devastating issue of poverty has affected a wide range of Americans, from those who are down on their luck to those who just do not want to work to those who have had the misfortune of making a series of bad decisions. Without money, one is unable to pay for food, shelter, proper medical care, etc. Nearly 50% of those who are living in poverty are living in extreme poverty, far below the official poverty line (“Poverty”). Since these people are unable to pay for the necessities of life in America, they usually end up on the streets or in homeless shelters. Along with this, if one is unable to afford a phone, car, or residence, it makes it much harder for them to get a job in such a high tech society. This only results in a cycle of poverty (Fleming). For those living around the poverty line, an unexpected problem, like a flat tire or a parking ticket, might be inconvenience that puts them out on the streets ("Top Causes of Homelessness in