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The Pros And Cons Of Homelessness In Detroit

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Even though it might not seem like it, there is a major problem with homelessness in Detroit and the rest of the world. As of 2016, there are about 14,117 homeless in Detroit according to Homeless Action Network of Detroit. This number is an approximation because it is hard to keep a count of all the homeless in Detroit. It is safe to say that there could be several more thousand of homeless who might stay hidden or do not visit homeless shelters to be recorded. About 2,000 of the 14,117 homeless are chronically homeless (an individual who repeats being homeless) and it is hard for them to get back on their feet. The things that are being done to help the homeless are not enough. The current measures to combat homelessness only slightly help …show more content…

People believe that there is enough already being done for the homeless because they have access to things such as overnight sleeping arrangements, warming centers, and soup kitchens (which is all free of cost to them). It can be also said that some people are homeless because of addictions, past experiences (committing crimes), and chronic homelessness. It is understandable why some people believe there should be nothing done to help the homeless because they already have things in place to help them. However, not every person became homeless because of an addiction, past experiences, or chronic homelessness. Most people are homeless from, “their family’s ongoing financial struggles…. violence within their family of origin as a tipping point that initiated their housing instability” (Gültekin et. al, 2016, p. 405). Reasons like these are why most people are homeless. Things that people cannot control like natural disasters or the stock market. People who are in poverty who are put into these type of situations have nowhere else to go except for the streets. If there were better social security programs in Detroit, then people who are suddenly thrust into homelessness can find a ray of hope and find a home again. In addition to this, there is clearly not enough being done for the homeless because if there was then this would not be a current social issue. With about 14, 000 …show more content…

However, the current measures they are doing are not creating an impact at all. I conducted an interview with Mr. Felix who volunteers to help the homeless in Detroit on the weekends. He has been helping the homeless for about four years now and Mr. Felix feels that the city is not doing enough and that they should acknowledge the current condition of the homeless as a major problem, “...they are using a bandage to cover a wound, what they really need is some needle and thread if we want to stitch this up” (Felix, personal communication, 2018). From working with the homeless he fully understands what they need and what the city is not doing for them. Detroit should look into their policies to be better aimed towards the homeless instead of only partly helping them. The only thing the policy makers would have to do is communicate with the homeless, or the homeless assistance programs to create better policies. Mr. Felix also believes that, “there just isn’t enough money. There are too many homeless who need things such as food and clothing, which is hard to provide when you don’t have the funds to help them” (Felix, personal communication, 2018). Organizations who help the homeless lack the money to fully help them and get them back on their feet. These lack of funds can be seen as another reason why homelessness is still a problem. According to Homeless Action of Detroit in 2016

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