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HSC Community and Family Studies

Core 2: Groups in Context

Module 3: Researching Community Groups

Detailed studied of a community group

HOMELESS

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Areas of study

Legal and Social definition of specific groups

Legal:

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Social:

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Identifying Characteristics

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Primary:

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Secondary:

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Tertiary:

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Specific Needs

People who are homeless have many specific needs. Three

that would be a priority for most homeless people are;

Housing, safety and security, Health, and Access to Services

- Housing:

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- Security and Safety:

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- Health:

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- Access to Services:

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Government Policies and Regulations

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Community Responsibility

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Rights of the Group

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Safe and Secure housing:

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Education:

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Privacy:

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Non-discrimination:

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Legal assistance:

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Access to Resources

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Societal attitudes towards the group

Societal stereotypes relating to the homeless, including who they are and why they are homeless,

often overshadow the real reason behind homelessness and the problems that cause people to

become homeless.

2006 survey (Hanover- Melbourne) into community attitudes towards the homeless found:

- People primary perception of a homeless person were of

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- There was a _________ of the homeless

- The homeless were categorised into the ______ ________ __________.

- Due to a lack of awareness of the size of the problem, people generally didn’t ____________

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Negative attitudes towards the group can directly affect the wellbeing of these people.

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Issues of concern for the group

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Why is safety and security an issue of concern for the homeless?

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Why is health care an issue of concern for the homeless?

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How or why do people become homeless in the first place?

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Conflict between group and community interests

One of the main issues of conflict between homeless and the rest of the community arises from the

fact that those who do not have accommodation often loiter in public places, causing concern for

other members of the community about safety issues.

Mental issues

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Drug or alcohol addiction

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Reputation of suburb

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Government support

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Power within the group and community

Power within the homeless is very limited, as their main concern is with everyday survival rather

than having power over anyone else. For people who are homeless, power comes from those who

provide the resources and services to assist them. Reasons why the homeless have less power than

other members of society include;

Limited financial resources

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Lack of knowledge

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Limited resources

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Positive contributions the group makes to the community

The contribution of the homeless is often limited by their lack of resources and by their own

significant needs. People who are homeless are often more concerned with providing for

themselves- with housing, food and clothing- than with contributing to the rest of the community.

Human rights:

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Employment:

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The big issue:

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Extent to which community service groups assist in meeting the needs of specific groups

People who are homeless require community service groups to assist them in meeting their needs

because, due to a number of factors, they are unable to meet those needs themselves. Without

community service groups, many homeless people would find it difficult to survive.

How do community service groups help the homeless?

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How is community housing provided?

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Programs to assist the homeless:

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Watch Fr Chris Riley excerpt and the DVD ‘Oasis”- The Salvation Army

Community Strategies and Community Service groups:

o The Big Issue

o Community street soccer program

o Lighthouse Foundation

o Wesley Mission

o Salvation Army

o Salvation Army Oasis Youth Support Network

Using the internet, research the following community service groups to find out the following about

each service;

1. Name of the service (what is it?)

2. Services provided

3. How do these services help the homeless?

4. Positive and negatives about the service?

5.

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The Big Issue 1. What is it?

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2. Services provided

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How do these services help the homeless?

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Positive and negatives about the service?

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Community street soccer program

1. What is it?

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2. Services provided

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How do these services help the homeless?

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Positive and negatives about the service?

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Lighthouse Foundation 1. What is it?

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2. Services provided

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How do these services help the homeless?

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Positive and negatives about the service?

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Salvation Army Oasis Youth Support Network

1. What is it?

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2. Services provided

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How do these services help the homeless?

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Positive and negatives about the service?

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Wesley Mission

1. What is it?

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2. Services provided

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How do these services help the homeless?

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Positive and negatives about the service?

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Examine two community strategies or service groups.

a. Identify how the strategy or service group facilitates the satisfaction of the

needs of the homeless.

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b. Outline how the strategy or service group empower the homeless and assist

with making a positive contribution to the community as a result.

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c. Evaluate how each strategy or service group assists the homeless to overcome

issues of inequity such as reduced access to resources or unemployment.

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After viewing these to support services answer the following question.

“Evaluate the extent to which two community service groups assist in meeting the needs of the

homeless”

Planning space

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Write a response

“Evaluate the extent to which two community service groups assist in meeting the needs of the

homeless”

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