Supportive housing

More than 300 communities committed themselves to ending chronic homelessness, partnering with local and state agencies and the private and nonprofit sectors. By combining housing and supportive services, they led a remarkable fight that has reduced the number of chronically homeless by more than a third in five years (Buset). That is why it is important for us as a society to work together with the government to bring an end to this crisis. The first approach to conquering this issue would be the prevention of homelessness, and rapid permanent supportive housing. The emergence of permanent supportive housing—housing connected with health and social services—has literally changed the face of homelessness in many communities. Working in collaboration with the federal government, localities have created thousands of units of permanent supportive housing and reduced the number of chronically homeless people across the nation by more than a third. The number of beds for permanent supportive housing has increased by 34 percent since 2007 (Donovan 24). Because affordable housing with necessary services generally costs less than those associated with multiple emergency rooms visits and stays in jail, this shift in focus to permanent supportive housing…

Massachusetts, where from 1999 to 2002, the number of people over 55 using shelters increased by 60% (HEARTH, 2007). The increased homelessness among elderly persons is largely the result of poverty and the declining availability of affordable housing among certain segments of the aging. Throughout the nation, there are at least 9 seniors waiting for every occupied unit of affordable elderly housing (HEARTH, 2007). Many elderly people…

One example of the success of permanent supportive housing is the Pathways to Housing program in DC. In the DC area, there has been a fifty percent decrease in the amount of affordable housing since 2000, and rental rates have increased significantly (Mukherjee, 2013). There has also been a decrease in funding for Section 8 vouchers. Pathways to Housing DC has helped many homeless people with mental illnesses secure housing. Community-based programs like Pathways to Housing tend to be more…

receive services but that for different reasons do not have an assigned bed. During an interview with one of the staff members, I was informed that in order to be eligible and remain at the shelter overnight, residents must be working on a plan along with their case manager towards getting out of the shelter into an independent home. The amount of time to stay in the shelter is limit; however, there are certain factors that will provide an extension Furthermore, many of the problems that affect…

Federal housing programs are one of the most successful housing-based solutions to reduce homelessness. The two largest federal housing programs are public housing and federal housing vouchers, also known as section eight housing. Another proven solution developed in New York City and replicated nationwide is the “housing first” approach to street homelessness, which builds on the success of permanent supportive housing. The “housing first” approach involves moving long-term street homeless…

The Epidemic of Homelessness in America Imagine the limitations of providing adequate housing for you, and your family while living paycheck to paycheck. Where a sick day, or the cut back of hours at work could leave you with the inability to pay rent. Unfortunately, this is a hardship that millions of Americans who live below the poverty line face on a daily basis. Now, imagine someone suffering with mental illness, or drug addiction on their own, who are obviously in desperate need for the…

Jordan Flaherty once said “Housing is a human right. There can be no fairness or justice in a society in which some live in homelessness, or in the shadow of that risk, while others cannot even imagine it.” It is because I agree with John Flaherty in the position regarding housing, that I feel compelled to affirm today’s resolution. Resolved: The United States ought to guarantee the right to housing. For clarification of today’s round, I offer the following definitions: Word: Guarantee…

There is a program that is called Volunteers of America, and they offer a numerous range of support services such as emergency shelters, drop-in centers, permanent supportive housing and much more. The authors of the organization added that once they have reached out to homeless individuals, youths, and families with children, “ We provide assistance that ranges from paying a first month’s rent to offering permanent supportive housing so that people with disabilities can become stable and…

asking the homeless about their situation began exploring, prevailing myths about homelessness, such as the notion that homeless people want to be homeless. They sprawl on the streets, sidewalks outside of downtown businesses, refusing to meet our eyes, with most of us looking away. Anyhow, homeless youth seemed determined to hold us at a distance even as their cardboard sign beg us for money. They build bond with small groups that feel like surrogate families, and teach group members to…

to house single adults. There are various reasons for homelessness in Pennsylvania low income, addictions, non-affordable housing, poor health, no education, and unaffordable childcare. The following viewpoints will support the need to increase the minimum wage to decrease the rates of homelessness in Pennsylvania. One of the main reasons for homelessness in Pennsylvania is little or no income to cover bills, food and daily living essentials. The minimum wage employees are…