Homelessness

Homelessness

As the world makes technological progress and development, so does the quality and comfort of people’s lives. However, this is not always the case for everybody within the population, as evidenced by the increasing number of homeless people who reside and sleep in the streets. This group of people have to contend with deplorable often unsanitary places to lay their heads. South Nevada is among the regions with the highest number of homeless people in the country. It is reported that in any night approximately 5000 Nevadans experience homelessness. This essay looks at the various causes of homelessness in Nevada and why helping this vulnerable population is good for the city.

Homelessness can result from a myriad of factors among them poverty, inadequate affordable housing, domestic violence, mental illness and even addiction.e.

Often homelessness is a result of poverty as the poor find it difficult to cater for housing, food, health care, education and childcare. With these high demands, families find themselves having to let go of their house as it takes the highest proportion of their income.

A lack of affordable housing, coupled with limited housing assistance programs, have also led to the current homelessness in Nevada. The massive gap between the number of affordable housing units and the number in need of such structures has been continually rising (Tsai, Jack, et al. 607). In the 1970s a large number of low rent units were refurbished into condominiums and expensive apartments to cater for the more lucrative upper and middle-class market segments. As a result, the rent for the affordable houses also increased, making them unaffordable for those who previously barely got by.

Families who struggle to pay rent can also find themselves in the streets, especially when an unfortunate event such as a job loss or serious medical condition that is not covered by insurance. Domestic violence also forces many people, mostly women, to flee their homes and seek refuge in the streets. Children who experience abuse also prefer the streets to their abusive guardians (Moore, Owen, Moonie and Anderson 807). Addiction also increases the chances of homelessness, especially for the poor since they most probably lose their livelihoods and face considerable barriers to obtaining proper health care.

It is therefore crucial for the relevant institutions led by the town mayors to take proactive steps to reduce homelessness in the region. This can be done through increasing the number of affordable housing units which would reduce the amount to a pocket-friendlier amount. This way, those with a small amount of money can get a decent place to live. For a start, the affordable houses can be semi-permanent at least until the people get up on their feet. The other action would be to rehabilitate those hooked on drugs. This will reduce the level of criminal activity within the city and reduce interactions between law enforcers and the homeless (Schifalacqua, Marita, Ghafoori and Jacobowitz  195). Relevant law enforcers should also take action on those responsible for domestic abuse before it gets out of hand, resulting in victims running to the streets. This can be done by increasing sensitization on the existence of hotlines that victims of domestic abuse can call when seeking help.

The city of Nevada should also make efforts to empower the homeless economically. This might involve starting a venture that employs the homeless or offering financial capital for the homeless with economically viable business ideas. Offering them a livelihood will lift them from poverty which is the primary cause of homelessness.

In conclusion, taking the above steps would not only benefit the homeless but also the Las Vegas city in general. For instance, the city will enjoy increased safety and security due to a reduction in criminal activities perpetrated by the homeless. The city will also be less congested and cleaner due to less pollution, making it attractive for investment.

References

Moore, Owen C, Moonie S, and Anderson J. “Factors associated with rapid Homelessness among residents of Nevada.” Community mental health journal 55.5 (2019): 804-810.

Schifalacqua, Marita, Ghafoori A, and Jacobowitz M. “A Hidden Healthcare Crisis: Youth Homelessness.” Nurse Leader 17.3 (2019): 193-196.

Tsai, Jack, et al. “Changes in public attitudes and perceptions about homelessness between 1990 and 2016.” American journal of community psychology 60.3-4 (2017): 599-606.