It’s Not a Moral Failure! Understanding Chronic Homelessness
Understanding Chronic Homelessness
There’s lots of negative stigma around poverty, but there are often several factors outside of a person’s control that lead to chronic homelessness.
After a period of steady decline, homelessness has once again been on the rise in America in these past two years. On a single night last year, about 553,000 human beings were on the streets. Homelessness is an epidemic—one that’s easily solvable with appropriate distribution of resources.
If you want to help those in need, there are ways you can help battle the chronic homelessness epidemic in America. Still, there are some things you’ll need to understand first. Read on to learn what these are.
Homelessness Isn’t About Morality
Many people hold the misconception that homelessness is a moral failing on the part of those who are in this terrible situation, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The leading causes of homelessness are lack of affordable housing, unemployment and poverty, and disability.
Most people who find themselves on the streets are mentally or physically disabled in a way that inhibits them from finding a job that allows them to pay for housing. The majority of them apply for jobs but cannot find them due to these disabilities.
Before you roll your eyes and say that these people need to find a job, consider that most of them have a disability that inhibits this, especially in these trying economic times.
Homelessness vs Chronic Homelessness
Chronic homelessness is a phenomenon that affects the majority of these people. This term is used to describe those who have been homeless a) for over a year, or b) repeatedly. Chronically homeless individuals generally have this issue because they are unable to find care for disabilities or illness.
The answer here would be to, of course, offer counseling and health care services to those in need, but unfortunately, this is often not affordable for those struggling with money. In this way, chronic homelessness is a vicious cycle.
We Can Fight Against Homelessness
Often, society turns its back on its members who are the most in need. You, however, don’t have to. By donating food to homeless shelters, you’ll be giving someone (or a family) essentials for survival. The same applies if you donate a hygiene kit—many homeless people are turned away from job interviews because they have poor hygiene (as a result of not having hygiene tools).
Donating a backpack or school supplies is also a great way to help those who need it. Many of the homeless have school-aged children, and giving them these tools can help them receive an education. This will give them the opportunity to learn and create a brighter future… and maybe to break the cycle of poverty.
Help Someone in Need
While homelessness is a terrible thing, there are fortunately ways that we as Americans can rally against it.
Now that you know the basics of chronic homelessness, it’s time to help out. One of the ways you can do this is by buying an inexpensive hygiene kit and donating it to those who need it most. Check out our shop to purchase one and give someone a chance to feel clean and dignified.
Remember: homelessness can happen to anyone. It isn’t a moral failing.
