Homelessness is one major issue affecting children and their families in the US. The history of this issue is intertwined with that of poverty. Poverty has been a problem for a long time, and it prevents prosperity of a nation as a whole. Despite the efforts of the government, non-governmental organizations and individuals of good faith to eliminate homelessness, the issue has proven persistent. The Stewart McKinney, Homeless Assistance Act, defines homelessness as the lack of a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. People living in supervised shelters, and places that are not designed ordinarily for accommodation are all classified as homeless (Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders). Apart from poverty, other major causes of homelessness include mental and substance abuse disorders and family disputes and negligence. Homelessness can cause a lot of suffering especially for children. Homeless children lack family support, guidance, and protection and are exposed to all types of abuse. They are also exposed to health dangers due to lack of proper and enough food, eating from trash, and sleeping out in the cold.
According to Murphy (2017), approximately 1.35 million children in the US experienced homelessness in 2017, making 40% of the homeless population in the country. Human service professionals can advocate for homelessness through ways such as involving the media and getting the people affected by homelessness to participate in politics. Involving the media creates awareness and calls for people to get concerned about the situation. Once the public reacts, it puts pressure on policymakers to take a step towards formulating and implementing solutions. The public can also empathize with the homeless and well-wishers can contribute in coming up with solutions for the problem. Getting the homeless people to participate in politics will enable them to know the type of politicians who can help them get out of their situation. The homeless can be encouraged to participate through voting for their leaders to get in office the person who they are convinced will initiate change for the better.
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One of the best ways to fight homelessness is through providing community education. The community education will enable the people to understand the causes and consequences of homelessness and how to prevent them. A human service professional therefore will provide community education to stop or rather minimize the causes that lead to homelessness especially to children such as drug abuse, negligence, domestic violence, as well as on how to improve the economic status of parents for them to be able to provide for their children. Parenting skills can also be taught so that disagreements between parents and the children do not make them run away to the streets. The homeless can also be educated on how to get back to the competitive world and have a home for themselves. One of the ways through which a human service professional can provide community education to prevent homelessness is through the use of the already established institutions such as schools and churches whereby segments for teaching different groups of the population on how to overcome the causes of homelessness can be established. The professionals can also initiate forums and seminars specifically for the education. The professionals can also use the media to educate people through getting TV or radio time or magazines and newspaper spaces where such topics can be discussed.
Both advocacy and community education can be effective in the fight against homelessness depending on how proper the strategies are laid. In advocacy, the advocate takes the situation as their own, and through enthusiasm and persistence, they draw the attention of the right action takers. Community education, on the other hand, can be equally effective. Getting the people fully involved in solving their solution is the best way. The people get to understand the root of the problem, and they become aware of how the issue is affecting their community. The people are the ones with first-hand information, and therefore best solutions can be established when they are involved.
The National Coalition for the Homeless, NCH is national network made up of advocates, activists, community-based as well as faith-based providers, homeless and formerly homeless people together with other well-wishers. The major aim of this organization as its name suggests is to prevent and end homelessness as they continue to ensure that the needs of those currently experiencing homelessness are catered for and their human rights protected (The National Coalition For The Homeless, 2014). Through programs such as the Faces of Homelessness Speaker's Bureau, NCH has effectively advocated for the homeless for more than thirty years and created lasting solutions for many people locally. What I would suggest to the NCH is to be more concerned about the mentally ill and extend more help to them especially those confined in institutions and advocate for better lives for them.
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs runs many activities to fight against homelessness one of them being community education programs (Department of Veterans Affairs, 2015). Apart from catering for needs such as shelter, food, clothes, and healthcare, the department also pushes for opportunities for the homeless to be able to access jobs, stabilize financially and be able to afford a home for themselves. The department runs programs such as the Homeless Veteran Community Employment Services that ensure that the homeless people are equipped with some skills that can help them do certain jobs and be able to earn a living. This department has been effective since it began in 2010. By 2014, the homeless population had reduced by 33% compared to the percentage at the establishment of the programs. What I would suggest is for the department to increase its operation centers so as to reach even more people and end homelessness.
References
Department of Veterans Affairs. (2015). Working Together to End Homelessness – One Job at a Time. Retrieved From https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/docs/2015_04- 22_HVP_Editorial_Roundtable_Background_Information_Document_FINAL.pdf
Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders. Homelessness. Retrieved From http://www.minddisorders.com/Flu-Inv/Homelessness.html
Murphy, K. (2017). 11 Ways to Advocate for the Homeless. Retrieved From https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/11/how-to-advocate-for-the-h_n_283943.html
The National Coalition For The Homeless. (2014). Retrieved From http://nationalhomeless.org/
