use at least 3 of these quotes :
Many people still think of homeless transients as alcoholic and/or mentally disabled loners. The truth is the current homeless population consists of single adults families battered women and runaway adolescents. Their only characteristic in common is the lack of a fixed adequate and permanent residence. Social and economic factors and other circumstances beyond the individual’s control have led to a gradual increase in family homelessness (Rafferty 1990).
During a conference members of the National Association of State Coordinators for the Education of Children and Youth cited eight basic causes of homelessness: 1) lack of affordable housing 2) unemployment 3) deinstitutionalization 4) divorce/abandonment 5) substance abuse 6) natural catastrophe 7) physical abuse and 8) eviction (Johnson & Wand 1991). Whatever the causes may be the result is an increasing population of homeless families with children (Stronge & Tenhouse 1990).
As the homeless problem receives more attention the profile of a homeless individual or family has changed (D’Andrea 1992). We have learned that: 1) all types of people can find themselves homeless; 2) families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population; 3) homelessness has both societal and personal causes; 4) shelters are an emergency response to homelessness not a solution; and 5) homeless people live in a variety of settings (Johnson & Wand 1991).
Children and adolescents appear to suffer the most detrimental effects of homelessness (Heflin 1991). The estimated number of homeless youths in the United States may be anywhere from 310000 to 1.6 million (Heflin & Rudy 1991). By the time a family becomes homeless the effects of poverty removal from a familiar environment malnourishment and unhealthy living conditions have already begun to take their tell (Gewirtzman & Fodor 1987).
Homeless families experience the disintegration of physical spiritual mental and emotional bonds. Parents must often decide between life on the streets as an intact family unit or separation into various shelters. Shelter personnel assume the responsibility for determining bedtimes mealtimes menus and other elements of daily routines consequently undermining parents’ roles (Heflin & Rudy 1991).