what is homelessness?

1. Homelessness

2. Homelessness
Homelessness is defined as living in housing that is below
the minimum standard or lacks secure tenure. People can
be categorized as homeless if they are: living on the
streets (primary homelessness); moving between
temporary shelters, including houses of friends, family
and emergency accommodation (secondary
homelessness); living in private boarding houses without
a private bathroom and/or security of tenure (tertiary
homelessness).

3. Type of Homelessness
There are three types of homelessness:
1.) Chronic: Those who are homeless for a longer
amount of time, usually older or injured people. This is
the least common type of homelessness.
2.) Transitional: People who stay at the shelter for only a
short period of time due to a catastrophic event, usually
younger people, who are forced to go to a homeless
shelter for a short time. This is the most common type of
homelessness.
3.) Episodic: Those who are frequently going in and out
of homelessness, usually younger, and due to abuse,
unemployment, and experience mental illness or
medical problems.

4. Structural factors & Reasons for
Homelessness
Structural problem
• Change in housing
market
• Birth rate in low income
families
• Unemployment levels
• Change in employment
opportunities for people
with a high school
diploma or less
Personal problem
• Adult and childhood
victimization
• Mental illness
• Alcohol / drug abuse
• Low level of education
• Poor or no work history
• Too early child bearing

5. Effect
There are many effects of homelessness on individuals.
 Health- homeless people often encounter a lot of
health issues in their lives. they suffer from multiple
diseases such as:Cold Injury, Skin diseases, Nutritional
deficiencies, Sleep deprivation, Mental Illness, Drug
dependency, HIV/AIDS etc.
Personal – at the time when a homeless person realizes
that he/she won’t have a roof to live under forever. It is
hard for them to believe. some of the consequences: Loss
of self esteem, Increase in substance misuse,Increased
danger of abuse and violence,Development of behavioral
problems etc.

6. In conclusion
Here are some subjection on how to help the
homeless-:
• You can make a donation at any agencies in your
country.
• You can have a clothing drive to raise money.
• Volunteer your time a shelter.
• Talk to your school or office about starting a program.
• Produce fliers for the homeless giving name and
address / number for food, shelter and clothing help.