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Essay About Role of Social Worker in Homelessness

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HOMELESSNESS

DEFINITION

Homelessness describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling. People who are homeless are unable or unwilling to acquire and maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence. The legal definition of "homeless" varies from country to country, or among different entities or institutions in the same country or region.
The term homeless may also include people whose primary night-time residence is in ahomeless shelter, a warming center, a domestic violence shelter or other ad hoc housing situation.
Scenario in Ireland:
Every three years Irish local authorities assess the numbers of homeless people in their area, as part of the Department of …show more content…

 War or armed conflict.
 Natural disasters
 Mental disorder, where mental health services are unavailable or difficult to access or as a result of deinstitutionalization.
 Disability, especially where disability services are non-existent or poor performing.
 Social exclusion, including because of sexual orientation and gender identity
 Substance abuse
 Lack of affordable housing
 Domestic violence.
 Relationship breakdown, particularly in relation to young people and their parents.
 Prison release and re-entry into society.
 Disasters, including but not limited to earthquakes and hurricanes.
 Forced eviction – In many countries, people lose their homes by government order to make way for newer upscale high rise buildings, roadways, and other governmental needs. The compensation may be minimal, in which case the former occupants cannot find appropriate new housing and become homeless.
 Mortgage foreclosures where mortgage holders see the best solution to a loan default is to take and sell the house to pay off the debt. Criminality—Some homeless may have committed crimes and are therefore hiding from the authorities.
A substantial percentage of homeless population are individuals who are chronically unemployed or have difficulty managing their lives effectively due to prolonged and severe drug and/or alcohol abuse. Substance abuse can cause homelessness from behavioral patterns associated with addiction that alienate an

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