Trend Watch:
After the economic drought of 2008 left a nebulous over the economy, watching America’s homeless population during economic challenges of 2009 should be a great concern to many Americans. State Representatives, Senators, Congress men and women should work assiduously to providing affordable housing for the Nations homeless population, at the same time, while lawmakers work incessantly on rebuilding the economy, providing affordable housing for these disenfranchised individuals should remain at the forefront and part of Congress’ agenda for 2009. The 2008 economic drought in effect enlighten many Americans that inevitably each American in the United States had been either directly or indirectly affected the economic climate of 2008. For many,“….doing without cable TV and other convinences are unbearable. Would you accept having to live with nothing but the clothes you have on and what little you can carry.”
Envision, American one the worlds wealthiest nations with a growing population of homeless person. Who are America’s homeless people? They are from the veneer people just like you and me; they are the disenfranchised, they are overworked and under paid, they are middle class families, they are young and old; and they represent all walks of life. According to Bill O’Reily, who exclaimed during the broadcast of his syndicated radio show he tells his audience that homeless people are homeless because they “will not support themselves, they want to get drunk or they want to get high, or they don’t want to work because they’re lazy.”
Although, a number of homeless people many project or portend such attitudes to the general American population; many of American homeless population are homeless for different reasons other than non- condign or insubordinate behavior. Many of American homeless became homeless because of health related issues or mental illness such as; (schizophrenia, manic depression, physical and sexual abuse.)Subsequently, the growing population of homeless persons in America 1 out of 4 homeless persons are Veterans, consequently, veterans make an over representation of the nations homeless, nearly “40% of veteran men are homeless” ;”homeless veterans are more likely to be white better educated, and previously or currently married than non veterans” —-www.nationalhomeless.org adding to this population are American Families, which includes young adolescences “As many as 3.5 million people are homeless at sometime over the course of the year..” www.homelessamerican.com
From “A study by HUD surveys in January 2005 released 2/28/07, indicated that 744, 313 homeless in the US, “ also “California was the highest and Nevada had the highest percentage….” www.homeless.america.com
As reported by the National Resource and Training on Mental Illness that states many of Americas homeless population report health problems, the following list shows the percentage of homeless with substance and health related issues:
38% alcohol abuse
26%drug abuse
39% have some form of health related problems
20%-25% meet the requirements for mental illness
66% have substance or mental health problems
3% have HIV/AIDS
26% have acute health problems (HIV/AIDS, Pneumonia, Sexually Transmitted Diseases or Tuberculosis)
46% have chronic health problems (high blood pressure, diabetes, or cancer)
23% “…are veterans compared to the general population.”
54%”…were incarcerated at some point in their lives.”
.”
— – www.mediamatters.org
For the entire month of February Nightly Business Report with Suzie Gharib & Paul Kangas will air an segment called “Reviving the Economy” for more information about this month long segment airing in February 2009 American Consumers can visit www.pbs.org/nbr
Part II.Trend watch:
In 2008,during the months of November and December, many of America’s middle class families,as well as, the unemployed, and homeless population that was incapacitated by the credit and mortgage crisis aggreggated to local churches and community organiztionsi.e(Salvation Army) for assistance with (rent, utilities, and food). Ostensibly in 2009,American Consumers are eschewing homelessness by being frugal, delaying gratification, and altering their lifestyles to avoid further attrition of financial resources. At the same time, the relevancy of watching the numbers of America’s homeless population after the mortgage crisis of 2008 : (1) proves that American Consumers are altruistic when the countries experiences devastating losses from natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or failing Financial Institutions; furthermore, it proves that American Consumer are earnest and capable of delaying gratification to help less fortunate Americans (2) also, it proves that America’s homeless are not hopeless; (3) at the same time, it proves the homeless in America are capable of being viable citizens; (4)lastly, it proves that homelessness in America should not be viewed as impasse. Certainly, the frugality of American Consumers shows that consumers are cognizant of the importance and significance of the economic crisis in 2008 that has caused some American Consumers to become abased. Moreover, many American Consumers are abdicating their affluent lifestyles until more favorable and stable economic climate develops on Wall Street and within Financial Institutions. In fact, Americans are being abstemious because of the economy. In many instances, families are eating out less while more American families are utilizing stated funded food pantries to supplement monthly groceries. Unfortunately, in 2008 towards the latter part of the year, many of these state funded food pantries reported shortages in supplies. Not surprisingly, many of the people utilizing these state funded pantries consist of American from all walks of life and not just America ’s homeless population. Subsequently, the economic downturn of 2008 proved American Consumers are not impervious; the economic recession has affected Americans from all walks of life whether directly or indirectly. Although, the American economy has for years been thrived on democracy and capitalism, the recent attenuation in consumer spending contributed to; however, not to be mistaken as the primary cause for job loss and job layoff that has now extended into 20009.Consequently, because of the economic downturn of 2008 American Consumers are being resolute to not profligate resources. In past years observers, onlookers, and working Americans has subjugated homeless people to their prejudices, prescience’s , and bon mot’s to classify and categorize America’s homeless as lazy people who do not want to work, or persons with a penchant for drugs, alcohol, and promiscuity. As a result of the economic crisis in 2008, circumspect observers, onlookers, and working Americans are more likely to think twice before making gibes at America ’s homeless. In many instances, the disparity between America’s homeless population and America’s working population are precarious to becoming homeless, destitute, or impecunious ; in most cases, homelessness results from job loss, poor financial, as well as, health related issues, or the death of a love often precludes the ability of homeless person to maintain, work and stable housing. Conversely, it would be fallacious statement to state that all homeless people are impertinent or incorrigible. Instead, reducing the number of homeless people in America should remain at the forefront along with affordable housing and health for all Americans, not affronts, quips, burlesque or brusque colloquies; most importantly, homelessness in America should not be viewed as impasse.
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