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Cassid​y Thomas

English 2010

Mrs. Burr

12 April 2019

Curbing Homelessness

Giving money to the homeless is an emotional response to an economic crisis, a dispute

between the compulsion to relieve suffering and the hope that a donation will encourage, instead

of ease the mental and physical desolation of the homeless. Money does not benefit nor help the

economic situation of poverty, unless you are apart of an organization that can ensure the money

is spent wisely.

We are all familiar with the concept that giving the homeless money is not always a

great idea, handouts such as food and shelter are better options. When considering the

individuals well being in the long run, food and shelter give more area of a long term growth;

money often leads to drug and substance abuse in order to cope with the lifestyle of being

homeless. The studies seem to back up this idea. One report from ​Addiction and Homelessness

are Interrelated​ suggests “ that the relationship between homelessness and alcohol and drug

addiction in mentally ill homeless people is interdependent,” and a group of researchers who

have tested out this theory explain the relationship. Through this study they found that thirty

three percent of the fifty four patients found homelessness as a stressor, where twenty five

percent were possible stressors. Nevertheless, the project proves the dissipation that happens

with the money that is being inclined on the streets, and the reality of what money spending

really is going towards. On account that panhandlers rarely have a way to save their money, they
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are quite often impelled to pay out their earnings quickly. This leads to habitualizing short term

wants, rather than long term needs which can lead to vulnerability in drug and alcohol addiction.

Cash donations are not economically smart either. They don’t benefit the receiver in good

way and they are destructive to the smooth flow of the economy. Homelessness evolves into

panhandling. Panhandling causes unneeded chaos and an uncomfortable environment for the

people living around the area. Areas that are exposed to panhandling are often dirty and

unsanitary. Issues like these can easily be resolved by changing the way we give. Putting more

thought into how we help the less fortunate can greatly benefit us as individuals and a

community in the long run. Instead of tossing cash out the window like confetti, we can put our

efforts into donating to charitable works, organizing food drives, and putting more thought into

the items we give out.

Now, let us talk specifics. What are the top underlying factors that cause homelessness in

the first place? More than any other reason, there is a shortage of housing that low income people

are able to afford. With no housing options, there is unreliability, eviction, and eventually

homelessness. The homeless population is broadly represented in certain states, and

understanding where the majority of homeless are located can help solve the problem. According

to ​National Alliance to End Homelessness ​the “states with the greatest number tend to be the

most populous” and “The ten states with the highest homeless rates account for 55 percent of the

homeless population. New York, Hawaii, Oregon, California, and the District of Columbia top

this list”(p4). Among youth, single adults, and the already homeless domestic violence is

common. Those who escape abusive relationships and have experienced domestic violence may

seek homeless service programs in order to stay in a safe place. Others turn to homeless
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programs primarily because they lack resources and are unable to to find housing after leaving an

abusive relationship. After ​experiencing a crisis like these, the first response would be safety

which identifies with a statistic from ​National Alliance to End Homelessness​ that “On a single

night in 2017, homeless services providers had more than ​55,000 beds​ set aside for survivors of

domestic violence”. Seeing this quantitative data proves that domestic violence is a definite

factor in the causes of homelessness. An ongoing physical or behavioral health condition as well

as a disability can also lead to homelessness.​ National Alliance to end homelessness​ did a study

“On a given night in ​2017​, 20 percent of the homeless population reported having a serious

mental illness, 16 percent conditions related to chronic substance abuse, and more than 10,000

people had HIV/AIDS” which shows Homelessness and health are certainly interrelated.

After being approached by the homeless numerous times in your own city when you do

not want to be bothered by scavenging men it can be easy to judge, however, it’s important to

realize what the majority of these people are truly seeking. Yes, some merely want your cash so

they can indulge in their addictions, although there is a fine portion of the homeless who want

effective assistance. If we want to limit panhandling, then we must address the problem, and

smartly doing so. I discussed dominant causes of homelessness above, so what kind of assistance

are they searching for? The key to fixing homelessness is straightforward, housing. People who

are experiencing homelessness want to be connected to housing services, and by being so they

are able to focus on other areas that have played a part in their homelessness. There are many

organizations that are dedicated primarily to assisting the homeless in finding housing, and

designed to end homelessness.​ National Alliance to End Homelessness​ has two assistance

programs, permanent supportive housing and rapid re-housing. “Permanent supportive housing
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pairs long-term rental assistance with supportive services. It is targeted to individuals and

families with chronic illnesses, disabilities, mental health issues, or substance use disorders who

have experienced long-term or repeated homelessness” and “ Rapid re-housing provides

short-term rental assistance and services. The goals are to help people obtain housing quickly,

​ priority to resolve homelessness must be to

increase self-sufficiency, and stay housed​” A

increase the supply of affordable

housing everywhere. In addition to

housing, Location directly affects the

enormity of the homeless population

and ​Homelessness Analysis ​did a

homeless count in California; the total

number of homeless is 55,188, and the

total number of unsheltered homeless

are 41,216. Reading statistics such as

these and realizing their low numbers

will help organizations better find the

areas they need to be targeting the most.

Another trigger of homeless as Previously stated is domestic violence, and according to ​National

Alliance to end homelessness ​“The immediate need of a survivor fleeing domestic violence is

safety. Some survivors may be able to safely stay in their own home with some additional

financial support through rental assistance while others may require a stay in an emergency

shelter or transitional housing program before re-entering their own independent housing”.
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Despite there being shelters specifically for those involved in domestic violence, we are still

seeing patterns of domestic violence victims on the streets, and with no place to go. Addressing

these issues is the first step towards progress.

As a further matter, the second step is resolutions. This is a crucial issue and whatever

we as individuals can do to help will benefit the homeless. By now, the concept of not giving

cash is understandable; in an article called ​Cities Ask Citizens to Help Curb Panhandling

“homeless advocates broadly agree that giving money to panhandlers is an inefficient way to

help”(Blumgart). In addition to that information, in an interview I had with Aaron

Jones(previously homeless) he also explained how compensation is the most ineffective way to

help. That being the case, identifying the solutions is principal. In regards to housing, Helping

People off the streets suggests that “cities must develop easily accessible, day time facilities with

no resident component” that would give the homeless a place to stay during the day and

connections to programs(Hess). There are also numerous ways that you can give your support in

this economic crisis;​ National Alliance to end homelessness e​ ncourages you to take action by

participating in the foll​owing: Tell Congress to Fund Homeless Assistance Grants, Go Tweet

Fund Homeless Assistance Grants, Sign Up for Alliance Advocacy Alerts, and Tell Your Senator

to Sign the Homeless Assistance “Dear Colleague” letter. You can find more information about

these programs on their website

https://endhomelessness.org/help-end-homelessness/take-action/​.

To that ​end, life will become easier for the homeless when you lend them a hand instead of

lending ten dollars because when you “​Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day but when

you teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime”(old navajo proverb).
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Works Cited

WYDICK, BRUCE. “Unlocking Effective Giving.” ​Christianity Today​, vol. 61, no. 10, Dec.
2017, pp. 38–40. ​EBSCOhost​,
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=126559680&site=ehost-live.

Blumgart, Jake. “Cities Ask Citizens to Help Curb Panhandling.” ​Planning​, vol. 84, no. 3, Mar.
2018, p. 8. ​EBSCOhost​,
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=128314438&site=ehost-live

Hess, Robert V. “Helping People Off the Streets: Real Solutions to Urban Homelessness.” ​USA
Today Magazine,​ vol. 128, no. 2656, Jan. 2000, p. 18. ​EBSCOhost​,
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=2667932&site=ehost-live.

“Should I Give Handouts to Panhandlers?” ​Kiplinger’s Personal Finance​, vol. 65, no. 7, July
2011, p. 14. ​EBSCOhost​,
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=61155207&site=ehost-live.

Solovy, Alden. “Beggars & Holy Men.” ​H&HN: Hospitals & Health Networks,​ vol. 72, no. 19,
Oct. 1998, p. 8. ​EBSCOhost,​
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=1193058&site=ehost-live.

“Addictions and Homelessness Interrelated.” ​Addiction Letter​, vol. 11, no. 2, Feb. 1995, p. 7.
EBSCOhost​,
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=9503150611&site=ehost-live.

Data Lab - Homelessness Analysis – U.S. Treasury,​

datalab.usaspending.gov/homelessness-analysis.html.

O'Flaherty, Brendan, et al. “A Smarter Way to Regulate Panhandling.” ​CityLab,​ 11 July 2017,
www.citylab.com/equity/2017/07/panhandling-laws-bill-de-blasio-new-york/533223/​.

Cowen, Tyler. “Should You Give Money to Beggars?” ​Marginal REVOLUTION​, 11 Nov. 2004,
marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2004/11/should_you_give.html.

“What Causes Homelessness?” ​National Alliance to End Homelessness,​

endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/what-causes-homelessness/.