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Homelessness in Cincinnati Essay

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In Ohio (The Tri state), and over the last 17 years, there has been a 160% population increase. Homelessness has become a problem in the city of Cincinnati. Many families are homeless because of job layoffs and exhausted unemployment benefits. Some families are employed but do not earn enough wages to support a family and pay for adequate housing. Young single mothers can receive welfare benefits (Aid for Dependent Children) for 36 months. During that time they are supposed to be furthering their education or preparing to go to work. If neither is accomplished, the mother will receive medical for the children and food stamps only. If the family is not residing in subsidized housing they may have to stay with family members or seek …show more content…

People are forced to move and find other dwellings. For example, an apartment building called the metro pole was recently sold for renovation. The people who reside in the building are the disabled, mentally ill or people difficult to place in other housing, for some reason or another. The building was built more than 30 years ago and has 230 two room affordable apartments; in a very convenient location near downtown Cincinnati, close to bus stops, and shopping. The building will be renovated to a 160 room lustrous hotel, so that upscale workers can be near their jobs. In 2008, city council had limited jobs for human service workers for the people in over-the Rhine. Over-the-Rhine is a small community in the heart and back end of downtown Cincinnati, known as the ghetto. It consists of poor people of all nationalities and in which most of the homeless live.
Although organizations are working with the Cincinnati Interfaith Worker Center in helping day labor workers organize to improve job stipulations; wages, and working conditions(Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, 2010), jobs are still not an option in Cincinnati for the homeless, or those with criminal records. When the only viable jobs are offered by labor pools, the people are often exploited and treated with less dignity and have the lowest most devastating working conditions.
Those who can only work part-time, or have no transportation must car pool with someone or pay the

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