Impact of Homelessness on Society
Social Consequences
The issue of homelessness has far-reaching effects on the communities in which it occurs. Many people view the homeless with disdain, often blaming them for their predicaments as if they have chosen this lifestyle. This perspective overlooks the underlying causes that contribute to such issues, including resource misallocation and income disparity across social strata, as well as the absence of justice and equality. These factors can generate fear among community members, which inhibits active participation in societal growth and development. Furthermore, this situation can fragment social cohesion and create divisions among community members, potentially leading to deeper and more sensitive societal issues.
Economic Repercussions
Homeless individuals are frequently perceived as consumers of public resources rather than productive members of society. The economic burden of homelessness can be significant, with cities incurring high costs related to the additional services and institutions funded by public resources. For instance, Florida allocated a staggering $168 million in government funding to support programs aimed at assisting the homeless. Additionally, each homeless individual in Santa Clara County costs approximately $83,000, summing up to an estimated $520 million annually. According to a 2015 report by an administrative official in Los Angeles, at least fifteen agencies are routinely engaged in assisting the homeless, with some departments allocating substantial funds for these efforts. One such report indicated that the Los Angeles Police Department alone estimated its expenditures on the homeless to be between $53.6 million to $87.3 million in just one year.
The negative impact of homelessness also extends to critical sectors such as tourism and business. The prevalence of homelessness can deter tourists due to concerns regarding potential crime or violent behavior among some homeless individuals. Moreover, the situation can discourage new business ventures or investments, as companies may be hesitant to establish operations in environments perceived as unfavorable, adversely affecting state revenues and the livelihoods of local residents. An increase in homelessness within a given area may lead to economic stagnation, characterized by declining patronage at local shops and reduced demand for rental properties.
Public Property Damages
Homeless individuals often utilize public facilities, such as parks, for shelter during the day, turning park benches into makeshift resting places. This behavior can deter regular visitors from using these public spaces and may lead to conflicts between visitors and the homeless community. Additionally, homeless individuals might damage public properties by disrupting water supply systems or barbecuing areas meant for public use, which could prompt officials to consider restricting access to these amenities altogether.
Effects of Homelessness on Individual Health
Physical Health
Many homeless individuals suffer from various, often chronic, health issues, including cancer, sexually transmitted infections, malnutrition, parasitic infections, dental problems, degenerative joint diseases, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and varicose veins. These health challenges can be attributed to numerous factors, including limited access to healthcare facilities, poor hygiene practices due to a lack of awareness, and extended periods without bathing—sometimes lasting up to three months. Additionally, sleeping outdoors exposes them to harsh weather conditions and leads to inadequate nutritional intake while living among others in unsanitary conditions.
Mental Health
Homeless individuals are also at a heightened risk of various mental health disorders, including schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and substance abuse issues. Studies suggest a complex, bidirectional relationship between homelessness and mental illness, with mental health problems often exacerbating behavioral and cognitive challenges. These difficulties can impede an individual’s ability to engage in daily activities or maintain stable employment. Research indicates that many individuals with mental illnesses are homeless, and persistent homelessness can deteriorate their circumstances, particularly when exacerbated by interactions with the criminal justice system that can lead to incarceration.
Suicide Rates
Homeless individuals often face numerous harsh and distressing circumstances, leading to ongoing negative feelings that can drive thoughts of suicide due to psychological stressors such as depression. Research indicates that the suicide rate among the homeless population is substantially higher than that of the general public, with a 2012 study showing that the rate was ten times greater among the homeless. It is estimated that half of the homeless individuals contemplate or commit suicide.
Effects of Homelessness on Children
Homeless children are among the most vulnerable members of society, deprived of their right to healthy development due to various abuses, including violence, which can lead to numerous issues such as depression, low self-esteem, and both physical and mental health problems. Behavioral disturbances can complicate their reintegration into educational settings, hindering their access to fundamental rights, such as adequate mental, physical, and spiritual growth, as well as social, moral, and security rights.
Homelessness can adversely affect a child’s education, as these children often face behavioral and emotional challenges stemming from inadequate educational opportunities. Such conditions can lead to increased anxiety and a preference for isolation from their surroundings, as well as heightened aggression and anger compared to their peers.
Effects of Homelessness on Women
Women often experience unique challenges related to homelessness, including sexual violence, domestic abuse, and other traumatic circumstances that hinder their ability to maintain stable housing and care for their children. They may resort to seeking safety outside their homes, relying on others for basic necessities and shelter. Regrettably, some may feel compelled to engage in illegal activities or encounter dangerous situations that pose significant risks to their health and well-being, necessitating support and care to recover.
Additionally, homeless mothers are often stigmatized for leaving their children without adequate care, overlooking the circumstances that prevent them from providing necessary love and support. This stigma can have serious health implications, particularly if the mother becomes pregnant, as homelessness limits her access to prenatal care. Statistics indicate that half of pregnant homeless women do not see a healthcare provider during the first trimester. Moreover, their poor dietary habits can negatively impact newborn health, increasing the risk of low birth weight and congenital disorders.
Homelessness and Violence
Homeless individuals are often subjected to unethical treatment, including physical and verbal abuse. Research conducted in England suggests that the homeless population is at high risk of becoming victims of violent crimes, with surveys indicating that approximately 52% have experienced violence, including 8% who reported sexual assault. The absence of personal shelter increases the vulnerability of homeless individuals to violence, particularly while they are asleep, with data showing that they are over thirteen times more likely to be attacked during this vulnerable state.
Encounters with violence often lead to a reactive response among some homeless individuals, who, having overcome their challenges, resort to violence as a means of securing shelter. A study found that one in five of 400 surveyed homeless individuals acknowledged committing acts of violence to obtain a place to sleep.
Homelessness and Unemployment
Homeless individuals typically face lower employment opportunities compared to others, despite often possessing the necessary skills and qualifications for available positions. They encounter numerous challenges and barriers, including personal hygiene issues, poor time management, difficulties in commitment to a fixed address, high anxiety levels, declining physical health, and lack of self-esteem. Moreover, unstable family environments can further hinder their chances of securing suitable employment. Risky practices, such as substance abuse or poor coping mechanisms, can complicate their situations. Although the likelihood of a homeless individual maintaining employment is generally lower than that of others, certain factors may motivate them to retain a job. For instance, if job opportunities are scarce, or if they lack adequate education, this may encourage them to hold on to their current employment rather than seek new opportunities.
Environmental Effects of Homelessness
Homelessness significantly impacts the surrounding environment, often due to various harmful practices that result in environmental and aesthetic contamination. The waste generated by homeless individuals often pollutes both land and water sources. Some may even resort to defecating in public spaces, adversely affecting the area’s health conditions. Consequently, these influences complicate efforts to restore these ecosystems to their natural state, generating significant costs. Furthermore, homeless individuals may unintentionally adversely impact the environment through the use of open flames for warmth or cooking, which pose a fire risk that could harm wildlife and vegetation, possibly leading to uncontrolled fires that threaten infrastructure and residential buildings. Illicit camping practices can also damage land through tree cutting and improper waste disposal.
Defining Homelessness
Homelessness, as defined linguistically, refers to living in a manner devoid of the characteristics of ordinary human life. In a more formal sense, it refers to the continued state of an individual residing in places unfit for habitation or unsafe living conditions. Furthermore, it encompasses those who may use temporary shelters during emergencies. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development specified that an individual must spend a continuous period of no less than one year, or a cumulative total of four separate occasions within the last three years, in such conditions to be considered homeless. Should these criteria be met, the definition of homelessness could also extend to encompass individuals residing in care or treatment facilities for longer than ninety days.