Homelessness... A growing epidemic.

iReport — Homelessness  Major reasons and causes for homelessness as documented by many reports and studies include: Unavailability of employment opportunities.Poverty, caused by many factors including unemployment and underemployment.Lack of accessible healthcare.  People who have some kind of chronic and weakening disease but cannot  get healthcare either because they don’t have money to afford it or  because the government will not give it to them are simply too weak to  go and work every day so they remain poor and homeless.Abuse by government or by other people with power.War or armed conflict.Mental disorder, where Mental health services are unavailable or difficult to access or as a result of deinstitutionalization.  A United States Federal survey done in 2005 indicated that at least  one-third of homeless men and women have serious psychiatric disorders  or problems.Disability, especially where disability services are non-existent or poor performing.Social exclusion, including because of Sexual orientation and gender identityLack of afordable housingSubstance abuse.Discrimination against homlessness The basic problem of homelessness is the human need for personal  shelter, warmth and safety, which can be literally vital. Other basic  difficulties include:personal security, quiet, and privacy, especially for sleepingsafekeeping of bedding, clothing and possessions, which may have to be carried at all timeshygiene and sanitary facilitiescleaning and drying of clothesobtaining, preparing and storing food in quantitieskeeping contacts, without a permanent location or mailing addresshostility and legal powers against urban vagrancy.Homeless people face many problems beyond the lack of a safe and  suitable home. They are often faced with many social disadvantages also,  reduced access to private and public services and reduced access to  vital necessities:Reduced access to health care and dental services.Limited access to education.Increased risk of suffering ...

Channel: iReport Video Length: 0s Date Found: Mon, Apr 18 2011 2:27 PM Category: News Date Produced: View Count: 0