HOMELESSNESS: AN ISSUE OF SOCIAL JUSTICE

WHAT IS HOMELESSNESS? Someone who is experiencing homelessness does not have a primary residence. He or she may be staying in a shelter, living on the streets, occupying a motel room, “doubled up” with friends or family, sleeping in a vehicle, or living in any other unstable or non-permanent situation.

WHY IS THIS A SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUE? -More than 600,000 Americans don’t have a home to sleep in on any given night, with over 100,000 chronically dealing with the problem -In 2005, an estimated 100 million people worldwide were homeless -In 2011, the official poverty rate was 15.0%. There were 46.2 million people in poverty -A lack of affordable housing and the limited scale of housing assistance programs have contributed to the current housing crisis and to homelessness

ANY TIES TO OTHER SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES? -Ties to domestic violence -Ties to mental illness -Ties to the lack of health care -Ties to poverty -Ties to human rights -Ties to crime -Ties to hunger -Ties to substance abuse

GOOD NEWS -Housing First : Help homeless people get into the society -Patient protection and affordable care act

WHAT CAN WE DO? -Volunteer -Show your respect - Do not give money to homeless people directly -Make a long-term help: Donating to a charity to support their work

SOURCE & IMAGE justice-and-human-rights/ way-to-help-the-homeless.html the-homeless/

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