The issue of high cost of living in America is intimately connected to wage stagnation. The cost of living is increasing, and it is now out of reach for numerous low-wage workers. An economic study conducted in 2015, indicated that it does not matter where the minimum wage workers live in the US because they earn far less than what they require to make ends meet. The cost of healthcare, education, and housing has heightened at a faster pace in the last few years. As a result, the minimum wage workers are finding it hard to afford good housing, healthcare, and education. Even in a state such as Tennessee which is one of the most affordable cities, the minimum wage workers fail to cover the expenses’ of basic amenities such as food, housing, and other expenses’.
Noah Wieland, an author of the New York Times, recently highlighted the issues of living costs that have soared doubling homelessness in Washington. The article which was written on Jan 1, 2017, depicts the current situation in the city and the suburbs whereby the rich continue accumulating wealth whereas the poor residents are becoming poorer (Weiland, 2017). In December a survey was conducted in 32 big cities which indicate that Washington has the highest rate of homelessness. The homeless crisis has been connected to high living costs that are out of reach to the people who have minimal wages. The author gives an example of Ms. White who is a student at the University of the District Columbia where she studies during the weekdays. Ms. White was working as an assistant manager at a certain clothing retailer and could afford living in her apartment. However, Ms., White could no longer afford the rent, and she ended up in Valley place together with her two children. She describes the place as torturous to the young children.
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Variations in the costs of housing have a substantial effect on people described as living in poverty. Many people have underestimated the extent to which housing is out of reach for various individuals. In the article, the author highlights that Washington spends more than $80,000 every night to cater for hotel expenses for the homeless families (Weiland, 2017). Even though we have to appreciate the mayor and the city council efforts to assist the homeless families, the money could, however, be used to purchase permanent homes for these families. Washington DC should venture in long-term solutions because homelessness is a recurring issue for most families who are unable to pay rent.
Homelessness has an adverse impact on the lives of the children and families. Homelessness experiences inhibit the emotional physical, social, behavioral, and cognitive development of children. Homeless children exhibit more health challenges compared to poor children who have housing. They are at a high risk of developing infectious diseases (Weiland, 2017). Poor nutrition is another problem that homeless children and families experience and this has contributed to the increased cases of anemia and stunted growth. Homeless children are often faced with traumatic and stressful events which they are too young to comprehend, and as a result, they are confronted with emotional distress as they grow up. Their academic performances are also hampered because of the poor cognitive development as well as the homeless circumstances, for instance, constant mobility.
In conclusion, the issue of high costs of living should be dealt with by the government to ensure that people with minimum wages and the poor can also be able to afford housing expenses. Housing has become so expensive not only in Washington but other cities as well, and the government should also regulate this. Thousands of homeless families are suffering across the country especially the young children who are exposed to physical, emotional and psychological distress.
References
Weiland, N. (2017). D.C. Homelessness Doubles National Average as Living Costs Soar. Nytimes.com. Retrieved 3 April 2017, from
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/01/us/washington-dc-homelessness-double-national-average.html
