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Persuasive Essay Homelessness

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Homelessness. A growing concern not only in the United States of America but around the whole world. Many people are familiar with the topic homelessness. We may see them walking through different areas of many neighborhoods asking for a dollar or two with light cardboard pieces and cups. This is a growing issue in many different cities and states that don't receive as much awareness as it should. Over “564,708 people in the U.S. are homeless.” That’s half of a million people living in either cars, shelters, or streets. “Of that number, 206,286 were people in families, 358,422 were individuals, and a quarter of the entire group were children.” (Solutions). Those statistics can be very startling to realize that there are thousands of people not being able to have someplace to call home or sleep comfortably. “The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty currently estimates that each year at least 2.5 to 3.5 million Americans sleep in shelters, transitional housing, and public places not meant for human habitation. At least an additional 7.4 million have lost their own homes and are doubled-up with others due to economic necessity.” (Poverty) These facts can be very sorrowful because these are people like everyone else that were just directed on a wrong path to a very miserable and hopeless lifestyle.
There are many thought causes of homelessness. For example, Addictions, Mental illness, abusive relationships, and unemployment. Addictions and unemployment are the main two causes to this issue. Substance abuse is often a cause of homelessness. Addictions can unsettle relationships with family and friends and often lead to people losing their jobs. For people already having a hard time to keep up with bills, a starting or obsession with an addiction can cause them to lose many things including their housing. Most studies show that “substance abuse was the single largest cause of homelessness for single adults [reported by 68% of cities]. Not only single adults but was also mentioned by 12% of cities as one of the top three causes of homelessness for families.” (Homeless, Substance Abuse and Homelessness). In several circumstances, addiction is the outcome of homelessness rather than a cause. People who are

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