“Rags to Riches”By:Alicia Sotomayor

Thesis…Homelessness is a problem that is spreading rapidly and affects many people all across the

globe today. It affects the mind, body, emotions, and spirit of a person.

Stereotype? Psychological View of Homelessness

“Society historically views the homeless as a class of poverty stricken, unemployed individuals hovering in dirty allies.” (T.A Workman).

Traditionally “Shopping cart pushers” Living in dirty alleys

Some are families living in cars. Some actually HAVE jobs.

http://www.ehow.com/about_4572162_psychological-view-homelessness.html

Basic Statistic it was recorded that on any night 672,000 men, women,

and children are homeless, just in the United States alone.

People in families with children account for 37% of the total homeless population. Are the fastest growing group of homeless people.

Non-family individuals account for 63% of the total homeless population.

Chronically homeless people account for 29% of individuals and 18% of the total homeless population.

Unsheltered people account for 42% of the homeless population.

http://www.endhomelessness.org/content/general/detail/2500

…Basic Statistics Cont’ People counted in emergency shelters are accounted

for the other 52% of the homeless population. 56% of the homeless are living in shelters. 44% are completely unsheltered. Approximately 3.5 million United States residents

(about 1% of the US population) have been homeless for a lengthy amount of time. 1.35 million of these people were children.

Single men cover almost 60% of the homeless population.

https://www.swivel.com/charts/2298-Homeless-in-Americahttp://jkwart.blogspot.com/2010/03/homeless-statistics-in-us.html

Statistics-Going Geographically… In 2007

approximately 77% of homeless were counted in Urban areas.

Over 60% of homeless population lives in areas of over 1,000,000 people.

major cities had a rate of 43 people per 10,000 compared with 29 people per 10,000 for all urban places and 22 people per 10,000 nationally.

Urban areas had the highest homeless population 29 people, per 10,000.

Major Cities also had the highest population in 2007 43-44 people, per 10,000.

http://www.endhomelessness.org/section/data

Statistics- Going Geographically Cont’. Significant changes happened between the

years of 2005-2007 U.S Population grew by 4.5% Homeless in major cities increased by 4%. Homeless in urban cities (smaller areas) and

the rest of the country decreased by almost 10% (9.4%).

Facts… Studies have shown that the homeless spend more

time in hospitals and jail then anywhere else. Children of homeless families have been shown to

do worse in school compared to other students and have poor attendance.

The larger group of homeless people live in the Central Cities of United States.

In Rural Cities, the homeless are smaller and usually there for shorter periods of time. Often family homelessness due to domestic violence.

http://www.solutionsforamerica.org/thrivingneigh/homelessness.html

Homelessness Across the U.S.Sheltered-Unsheltered

CA FL GA NJ WA PA MA OH IL MI0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

UnshelteredSheltered

Going GLOBAL… In 2005 it was estimated that about 100 million

people were homeless worldwide. 20-40 million alone were from urban areas.

Everyday approximately 50,000 people die because of poor shelter, polluted water and sanitation issues.

Going GLOBAL Cont’Cuba

Hurricane Ike450,000 homes were seriously damaged200,000 people left homeless

80% of homes destroyed (says Prime Minister)

Approximately 1.25 people across the country remained in shelters from the storm.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7619274.stm

Going GLOBAL Cont’Haiti

7.0 Earthquake January 2010 Approximately 1 million homeless Tents

President asks for 200,000 tents after destruction.

http://www.corydondemocrat.com/Articlesi-2010-03-23-214518.114125_Hearing_Haitis_story.htmlhttp://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/01/26/haitis-homeless-plead-tents-quake/

Going GLOBAL Cont’

Chile 8.8 Earthquake

500,000 homes were severely damaged/ destroyed. Uninhabitable living environment Leaving millions of people/families sleeping on

the streets

http://rochesterhomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=159031

(Graph)

History of the Homeless…Studies will show certain things…The actual homeless people will show another.

How Did We Get Here?... Major cause of homelessness in the US is unaffordable

housing. Job loss

Since we began this recession six million jobs have been lost.

In late 2009, the unemployment rate was at 9.4% Congress plans to raise minimum wage to $9.50 by 2010.

Foreclosure Increases the number of people in the homeless category. Between 2008 and 2009 reporters found about a 32%

jump in the number of foreclosures.

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/why.html

…How Did We Get HereCont’ Poverty

Poor people not able to make ends meet. Unable to pay housing, food, education, childcare, and

healthcare. Most give up housing as a sacrifice. Poverty rate around 13% (37,300,000 million people) of U.S

population.

Housing Not a lot of affordable housing anymore. As of 2009 a person would need to earn $14.97 to afford a

one bed room apartment and $17.89 for a two-bedroom apartment.

From 2000-2009 there has been a 41% increase in fair market rent for a two-bedroom unit.

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/why.html

Other Causes of Homelessness

Health Care Unaffordable healthcare.

Untreated sicknesses. Missing days of work.

Loss of job. One in three Americans (86.7 million people) are

uninsured. 30.7% are under 18 years old.

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/why.html

Other Causes of Homelessness Cont’ 1.Domestic Violence

Often times, abused women who are homeless were forced to chose between homelessness or abusive relationships

50% of cities surveyed (by the U.S Conference of Mayors) proclaimed domestic to be one of the primary cause of homelessness.

Approximately 63% of the homeless women population have dealt with domestic violence in their adult lives.

Other Causes of Homelessness Cont’ 2. Mental Illness

About 20% of single homeless people suffer from a mental disease.

Incomes and housing began to quickly disappear. most homeless people with mental illness do not need to

be institutionalized, but can live in the community with the appropriate supportive housing options. Cannot be accessed.

Addiction Disorders Complex & Controversial People who are poor and addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. NOT just addicted. Once you’re addicted and homeless it’s hard to get a place.

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/why.html

What Else Contributes to Homelessness?Transportation

Broken down car, not having insurance, over abundance in tickets.

Public Assistance gone down TANF benefits/food stamps combined are lower

then the poverty level in every state.

Divorce Often leaves one of the spouses homeless.

http://www.homelessresourcenetwork.org/causes.html

What Else Contributes to Homelessness? Cont’1

Child SupportLow WagesRoommatesTragedy

What Else Contributes to Homelessness? Cont’ 2 Severe Depression Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Veterans Violent situations Also uneasy stable life

Natural Disasters/Fires Unfortunate events

Tornados Hurricanes Tsunamis/ Earthquakes Floods Fires

What Else Contributes to Homelessness Cont’ 3 Illnesses

Families already struggling to make ends meet and have some sort of illness can create a straight path to homelessness Begins with a loss of job No money to pay for care Eviction

Disabilities Physically Mentally

Who is homeless?Definition-

a person is considered homeless who "lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence;

Demographically Two groups

A growing rate of the unaffordable renting houses. Increase in poverty.

Gender More homeless single men than women. 67.5% of 76% singles who are homeless are male.

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/who.html

Who Is Homeless? Cont’Age

Children (under 18 years of age) are accounted for over 39% of the homeless population. 42% of these children are under the age of five.

About 25% of the homeless population are ages 25-34.

About 6% are elders of age 55-64.

Families Homeless population with families keeps expanding. Approximately 23% Most common in rural areas

Does race count?US Homelessness by Race/Ethnic-

ityWhite Non-HispanicHispanicOtherNative AmericanBlack Non-Hispanic

(40.6%)(39.6%)

(10.9%)(7.9%)(1.0%)

Homeless Children… Many Homeless Children are orphans. (Compassion) Approximately 15 million children have lost a parent,

or both to AIDS… Leaving them homeless. (Compassion)

12 Million children die before age 5… (WomenAID Children of the World Initiative)

100 Million children are homeless, living on the streets…

250,000 Children die every week from diseases and malnutrition… most often from being left on the streets

Effects of Homelessness…

Open for abuse Over the past 10 years, there have been more

than 600 attacks against homeless people (National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty).

Families torn apart Boys aren’t accepted as easily Mothers often can’t stay with their children

http://money.howstuffworks.com/homeless4.htm

Internal Effects of Homelessness… Illnesses

Being exposed to different elements in unsanitary living conditions Frost bite Leg Ulcers InfectionsHIV/AIDS Diabetes Tuberculosis

Internal Effects of Homelessness… (Cont’)Mental/Emotional Emotional Breakdowns

Can lead to be institutionalized

Popular question- “Does psychology cause homelessness or does

homelessness cause psychological disorders?” ANSWER: Both

Sleep Deprivation Substance Abuse

http://www.ehow.com/about_4572162_psychological-view-homelessness.html

Effects on Children…Ear infectionsStomach problemsAsthma DepressionAnxietyWithdrawnSuffer in school

How Can YOU Help? GET INVOLVED! Donate clothes, money, etc. Work at a shelter Help build/fix up houses or shelters Use YOUR skills

Job training

Share your hobbies/skills Guide the children GET OTHERS INVOLVED!

Tips For Preventing Homelessness…Finish schoolGo to College

Get a degree Associates- $47,000 yr. Battlers- $67,000 yr. Masters- $82,000 yr. Doc- $115,377 yr. Pro- $130,337 yr

Stay out of debtBudget money