Homelessness is defined as lacking a permanent home such as a house or apartment. While homelessness has existed since the 1640s, it was exacerbated by cuts to housing programs in the 1980s. Common causes include loss of family/income, domestic violence, mental illness, and substance abuse. Services needed include housing, employment assistance, healthcare, and case management. However, providers face challenges of limited shelter space and restrictions on those with criminal records. Effective strategies include referrals to services, assistance obtaining IDs and benefits, and motivational counseling. Both short-term goals like jobs/housing and long-term support through education and case management can help the homeless population.

1. HOMELESS
By: Adrian Larrazabal & Carl Andre Dy Carlos

2. What is Homelessness?
■ Homelessness is the condition of people without a
permanent home, such as a house or apartment. People
who are homeless are most often unable to secure and
maintain regular, safe, secure and adequate housing.

3. Brief History
■ Frequently references are made that homelessness as we know it today
is rooted in severe HUD cuts in the early 1980’s . While policy changes
did have a large impact exacerbating the problem, homelessness has
been documented in America since 1640. In the 1640s homelessness
was seen as amoral deficiency, a character flaw.

4. Causes of Homelessness
■ Loss of love ones
■ Loss of employment
■ DomesticViolence
■ Divorce and Family Disputes
■ Depression
■ Untreated Mental Illness
■ Substance Abuse
■ PostTraumatic Stress

5. Effects on Homelessness
■ Health Problems
■ Divorce
■ Substance Abuse
■ Alcohol
■ Crime
■ Suicide
■ Mental Problems

6. Common Services needs for the
Homeless Population
■ Employment
■ Housing
■ Mental Health
■ Substance Abuse Program
■ Case Management
■ Meal Offers
■ Food Banks
■ Hot Meal Sites

7. Common Challenge for Providers
■ Lack of space in homeless shelters
■ There are more homeless people than beds available
■ Also, shelters and programs have rules against felons and criminals with
records,
■ which is hard for many homeless people.
■ There are time limits on services.
■ Lack of education and job skills.
■ Lack of affordable housing.
■ Cut backs in health, mental health, alcohol and drug treatment services.

8. Examples of effective services for
homeless people
■ Referrals to specific services such as homeless shelters, homeless
projects etc.
■ Making sure they have the Dane county mailing address where they can
■ receive mail ( government mail).
■ Referrals to meal sites, government services such as food share and
■ Medicaid.
■ Referrals to social services programs like CommunityAction Coalition,
food
■ pantries, and the job center.

9. Techniques
■ Motivational interviewing
■ Assessing for safety
■ Assessing for alcohol and drug use
■ Good listening skills
■ Crisis intervention
■ Prevention
■ Be knowledgeable about your resources

10. Short and Long-term goals
■ Finding a job – A job above that pays above minimum wage
■ Maintaining a job-Long term goal how can they keep a job long term?
■ Finding housing- Planning for the future, so that housing is not lost
again: being proactive
■ Budget/ financial assistance –to help pay bills- Learn how to budget and
prepare for a crisis.
■ Referral to job training or education-This will increase likelihood of
getting a job that pays a living wage.
■ Referral them to case manager
■ Case manager help them maintain resources

11. In Conclusion
Here are some subjection on how to help the homeless
■ You can make a donation at any agencies in your county
■ You can have a fundraiser or clothing drive to raise money for homeless
■ Volunteer your time at shelters
■ Talk to your school or churches about starting a program.
■ Produce fliers for the homeless giving names and numbers/addresses
for
■ food, shelter, and clothing help