The homeless has been a growing problem for years as there is no one set problem that can lead to a person becoming
homeless. Such as a person losing their job or becoming sick and can no longer work as sometimes government assistance is not enough to support a family. Florida has the third highest homeless population in America barely losing out to California which is the second highest and Hawaii which has the highest homeless population in America. In Florida orange county has the highest total homeless with a population of 2,035. Now that number has dropped as in 2015 the total homeless population was 2,075. The number might seem small but it is quiet significant as Florida lacks affordable housing and has very high taxes. There are an estimated 35,900 homeless in Florida with about 18,883 are sheltered and 17,017 are unsheltered including children and families. About 4,035 are homeless veterans as most have developed some form of mental illness or life altering wounds that have led to a loss of limb or something else. Until just recently it was illegal to feed the homeless so it really limited what organization could do to help these people. Especially children as it is an estimated 7,000 kids in Florida that are homeless most witch are elementary school age. These children are abandoned as their parents can no longer take care of them so some are abandoned in wooded areas and left alone. Aging out of foster care Youths aging out of foster care are at high risk for becoming homeless during the transition to adulthood. Compared to other youth in the United States, kids who age out of foster care are more likely to not have completed high school or received a GED, they often suffer from mental health problems, many are unemployed and live in poverty, and nearly 40% become homeless. The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), which was established in 2008, introduced its first national “Opening Doors” report in 2009. Updated annually, the “Opening Doors” report provides research-based strategies to address homelessness. They do an excellent job and work in close proximity to the government. When people are released from state institutions such as mental hospitals, substance abuse facilities, prisons, or the foster care system, they come into our communities looking for housing, employment, and assistance. As the primary provider of emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, and rapid-rehousing programs in Florida, FCH’s member agencies face clients in crisis on a daily basis. From their numbers they have been succeeding but their agency is small so they are very backlogged. Domestic violence: Victims of domestic violence flee their homes, sometimes with only the clothes on their backs. Nationally, approximately 50% of all women who are homeless report that domestic violence was the immediate cause of their homelessness. Earning minimum wage ($8.25 per hour) in Florida , a single person needs to work 84 hours each week to afford a one-bedroom rental in Florida as the cost of living is so high here. According to Orange County Public Schools' figures, nearly 9,700 students experienced homelessness over the past academic year. Many people who become homeless do not show up in official figures. This is known as hidden homelessness. This includes people who become homeless but find a temporary solution by staying with family members or friends, living in squats or other insecure accommodation. Research by the charity Crisis indicates that about 62% of single homeless people are hidden and may not show up in official figures. A poll of 2,000 United states adults and teens were commissioned in December of 2018, found that 32% of people have experienced homelessness (including sofa surfing and staying with friends) or know someone who has experienced homelessness. 14% had experienced it themselves, 20% knew someone else who had experienced it, 2% said they had both experienced it and knew others who had. Lack of affordable healthcare overwhelming medical costs are one of the most common reasons for bankruptcy and poverty, and serious health problems or disabilities can also lead to homelessness. Home foreclosures In the past 10 years, home foreclosures have increased by over 30 percent, according to the NCH, resulting in a loss of housing among homeowners and an increase in evictions among renters. Loss of job opportunities: Changes in the American workforce and a general economic recession have resulted in the loss of employment opportunities, especially among low-wage workers. As a result, more individuals and families are living in poverty and at risk of losing their housing. Lack of public assistance programs: A decline in funding for cash assistance programs has resulted in an increase in homelessness and poverty, especially among individuals with disabilities and families headed by females. Reference
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