Causes of Homelessness in the US with Special Focus on Tampa, Florida - Research Paper Example

Introduction Homelessness in the United States is increasing each and every night. According to the estimates of the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, on any given night there could be anywhere from 700,000 to 2 million people homeless. Homeless people are fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters. They are our neighbors and co-workers. For some of us, they are our friends. Does homelessness relate to .drug or alcohol abuse? What are the contributing factors of homeless people across the United States? The purpose of the study is directly related to the causes of this ever- growing problem throughout the United States. Homelessness Homelessness is defined as not having a regular residing place to go at night time (Bread of Life, 2007). Homeless persons spend the nights at shelter homes, hotels or sidewalks due to lack of any residential facility. The National Mental Health Information Center (2009) defines the homeless as those who lack proper housing, live in transitional residencies or sleep on the streets. Homelessness in Florida In Florida, especially Hillsborough, there has been an increasing trend in lack of affordable housing as well as poverty (Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough, 2004). The 2005 annual report of homelessness in Florida states that there are almost 83,391 homeless Floridians on any given night and this number increases each year (National Mental Health information center, 2009). This rate of homelessness is very high. Causes of Homelessness Main causes of homelessness are poverty and financial crises (Sheldon, 2009). According to the Homeless Resource Centre (2010), the causes of homelessness include: Poverty, expensive housing, lack of child care support, disability, medical issues, drug and alcohol abuse and natural disasters. Theoretical Framework Many social and psychological theories have attempted to explain different social issues including homelessness. One such theory is the Social Functionalist theory. The theory states that all societies are divided into interrelated parts or organs, which are interrelated and work with collaboration for functioning of the society (Sociology Guide, 2010). Another theory that may explain homelessness is the Social Conflict theory. This theory views the society as a hierarchy. Homelessness is thus a part of the hierarchy and it comprises of those people who are unable to or very slow in climbing up the social ladder and this hierarchy is determined by power (Sociology Guide, 2010). These theories and how they connect to the problem of homelessness are discussed in detail with reference to available literature in the section of literature review. Objective of Current Study The objective of current study is to investigate the different causes of homelessness in Florida with special reference to Tampa and to identify the main causes that directly cause homelessness. Literature Review Considerable amount of literature on the causes of homelessness and resulting impact of homelessness is available. Following is a review of available relevant literature. According to the United States department of Housing and Urban Development, A homeless person is defined as a person not having any regular or adequate residing place for night (Bread of Life, 2010). Thus all those persons who lack a daily available, adequate and proper residential place for the night are categorized as homeless. In 2004, the mayor of Tampa formed a task force on homelessness and this community presented a report in November 2005 to the mayor titled ‘A report to the community’. According to this report, 11,000 people belonging to Tampa were reported as homeless. In the report, the main causes of homelessness were identified as: Unemployment, poverty, high prices of residential facilities, child abuse, substance abuse and having a disability. Most of the single adult males, homeless in Tampa are veterans (A report to the community, 2005). According to the Florida Coalition (2010), 57,687 people across Florida are homeless, 78% of which are adults. In light of statistics obtained from DCF FY 2008-2009 Annual Report on Homeless Conditions in Florida, (Cited in Florida Coalition, 2010) 50% of the homeless reported the cause of their homelessness as being unemployed or low paid and facing financial crisis. The second common cause was reported to be medical issues or disability. Prevention of homelessness is the main solution to this problem suggested in the report. Prevention of homelessness costs 90% less than providing shelter to a homeless family of same size (Florida Coalition, 2010). The simple procedure to carryout homelessness prevention suggested in the report is to identify the cost burdened households and provide medical, child care, disability, transport and relative death allowances for such households. A survey conducted by Honig and Filer (1993) reported that the main causes of Homelessness in the United States include: expensive housing, poor labor market and policies regarding treatment of disabled and low paid classes of the society. The survey carefully estimated the average income of citizens of the population under study and the average cost of reasonable housing and found a great difference between the two, the later being much higher (Honig & Filer, 1993). According to the Homeless coalition of Hillsborough county (2004), poverty is the major cause of homelessness, and two factors that increase poverty are reduction in employment facilities for the work force and declined availability of assistance for the public. Other factors contributing to homelessness include: Lack of affordable health care, domestic violence, mental illness and addiction disorders (Homeless coalition of Hillsborough county, 2004). This report supports the causal variable of the current study, i.e., Poverty or lack of enough money to afford a residence. The main cause of homelessness in Tampa-Florida is perceived to be that of financial crisis in this study. A supportive study review follows: In a report produced by Sheldon (2009), titled ‘Homeless conditions in Florida 2009’ it was stated that the main reason of homelessness is doubtlessly financial problems and unemployment. The survey report showed that homelessness in Florida was not due to outsiders migrating to Florida, rather the highest percentage of homeless comprised of those people who have been residents of Florida for a year or more. This clearly indicates that there is some misbalance in the income and expenses of Floridians. This can be explained in light of the social functionalist as well as the social conflict theory. The survey also showed that funding for the homeless shelters has been increasing every year, yet homelessness persists. The unmet needs of the people of Florida, contributing to homelessness include: Affordable housing, employment, job training and placement, supportive services, transportation and prevention resources (Sheldon, 2009). According to the Homeless coalition of Palm Beach (2010), one of the most serious problems faced by the United States is homelessness and the highest rate of occurrence of this problem is in the state of Florida. The main cause of homelessness in Florida according to the Homeless coalition of Palm Beach has been identified as the gap between income and housing costs Florida’s rate of jobless is at its highest in the last fifteen years and this is an alarming situation which is contributing greatly to homelessness (Homeless Coalition of Palm beach, 2010). This study has highlighted the causal variable of low income in the current study. Clark and colleagues (1999) have written about the risks of mental illness that the homeless and the people threatened by homelessness face. They have suggested very effective strategies to avoid mental illness among the homeless and those who are threatened by it. It is suggested that psychological rehabilitation be included in the homeless shelter program for such individuals (Clark, et.al; 1999). This will not only reduce mental illness due to homelessness but will also play a role in avoiding homelessness repetition since the individual will be more well equipped with coping skills after the psychological rehabilitation. A research was conducted by Reingold (2006) to find out the issues related to and causes of homelessness in twenty different American cities. The researchers identified the mother’s physical health, domestic violence, social connectedness, lack of employment opportunities and anti homeless laws as affecting the homelessness rate in one way or another. The paper also identifies symptoms of the families at risk of homelessness and makes some valuable recommendations to prevent homelessness. This study relates to our causal factors of poverty and unemployment. Family income and labor force participation were found to be important determinants of homelessness (Woods, 1990, cited in Reingold, 2006). In an informal survey conducted by Coats and volunteers (2009), a list of causes of homelessness was generated in order of popularity based on the perceptions of the people who weren’t homeless about those who were homeless. The list follows: Alcohol and drug abuse, loss of job, family breakups, lack of education, poor judgment, general laziness, mental illness, physical disability and abuse (Coats, 2009). This list of factors is not statistically accurate, yet the perceptions of people about the homeless remain the same year after year (Coats, 2009). Homelessness can be described in terms of many sociological theories. One such theory is that of Social Functionalism. Originated by famous sociologist, Herbert Spencer and carried on by parsons, the theory views the society just like a biologist view an organism, i.e, consisting of parts or organs that are interrelated to each other. The parts of the society usually work in collaboration in an orderly manner and the society remains in equilibrium (Sociology, 1999). Each individual or member or the society is stratified according to his value system and is placed in one or another organ of the society according to that stratification (Sociology Guide 2010). According to Davis and Moore (n.d), cited in the Sociology Guide (2010), stratification and ranking according to the stratification it exists in every known human society in some form or other. According to the functionalist theory, the society determines certain rewards and privileges to be enjoyed by people in certain ranks according to the qualification and values of that stratum (Sociology Guide, 2010). Functionalists argue that inequality is a must for society. The groups in which the society is divided must be unequal for the society to function properly (Sociology, 1999). Durkheim suggested that these social inequalities must be representative of natural inequalities if division of labor is to be applied in its true sense (Sociology, 1999). This mechanism of social stratification is meant to create a system that automatically enables the most qualified members of the society to fill the appropriate roles in the social functioning (Sociology Guide, 2010). Theory of functionalism can be simply and easily applied to homelessness. The homeless as viewed by the functionalists are thus a class or an organ of the society which are present there because they are a part of the society and are needed to coexist and co-function with other organs of the society for life to go on. The social conflict theory can also be used to explain the problem of homelessness. Herbert Spencer (1898), cited in Wilson (1994) believed that conflict is natural for any society and it is a main contributor to the process of social evolution since it has the ability to trigger social change. It is normal for a society to have conflicts (Wilson, 1994). According to the Social conflict theory, homelessness is not a problem, but a result of a problem they call ‘Capitalistic Motives in the society’ (Hernendez, 2007). The conflict theory views the society and social system as a hierarchy, the placement of members of the society in this hierarchy is determined by power and the persons placed lower in the hierarchy are those who lack power (Sociology Guide, 2010). This hierarchy is normal in societies and there are certain powerful classes in the top hierarchy who control or overpower the less power, lower ranked classes of the society (Hernendez, 2007). According to Karl Marx, the ruling class of the society tends to exploit the subject class through the power enjoyed by the ruling class (Sociology Guide, 2010). Conflict and struggle in society no doubt have a purpose. The social conflict theory accepts conflict as necessary for social existence. Conflicts in the society are means to ensure that the most deserving species will survive (Darwin, 1859; cited in Wilson, 1995). Likewise, Sumner (1883) proposed that positive social advancement is caused due to competition among the members of a society for their survival and social growth (Wilson, 1994). Some conflict is required in a society. Social order is maintained despite the conflicts (Wilson, 1994). In a hierarchical society, argue the conflict theorists, the economic conditions of individuals affect the access to the desirable items in the society (Sociology guide, 2010). Conflict theorists believe that homelessness is the symptom of capitalistic imbalance in a society and it occurs typically when an elite class gets all the power and is in a condition of exploiting the lower, working class for their luxury (Rich Land, n.d). The Family Systems theory, proposed by Bowen views the members of a family as living under the same ‘emotional skin’ or emotional climate (The Bowen Centre, 2010). According to the family perspective, an individual or the problems related to him or her cannot be studied fully in isolation from his or her family (Geno Pro, 1998). The theory stresses on family projection process as its key feature. This states that conflicts are transmitted in a family, i.e., projected from parents on to the children (Geno Pro, 1998). One of the eight interlocking concepts of Bowen’s theory that can be applied to the social problem of homelessness is the societal emotional process. This is a concept, that individuals tend to find parallels in the society and their family and they view the society as a system just parallel to the family system they are used to at home (The Bowen Centre, 2010). Persons develop specific coping skills and problem solving capacities while living in their family and they apply those to solve the problems imposed on them by the society (The Bowen Centre, 2010). Many attempts have been made to relate the social conflict theory to the Family perspectives. These two perspectives are parallel to each other in some aspects. A sociologist Engel’s who was a collaborator of Karl Marx has related the family systems theory to the social conflict theory. He believed that the positions of persons in the society, i.e. the owners and servants are analogous to the positions of men and women in family (Wilson, 1994). While explaining the nuclear family emotional system, the theory identifies four problem areas that might lead to conflict in a family. These are: 1) Marital conflict 2) Emotional distance 3) Dysfunction in one spouse 4) Impairment in one or more child (Geno Pro, 1998). All of these can be applied to the issue of homelessness. Homelessness can be a result of family breakups of dysfunctions in the family. In 2005, the survey conducted by HUD reported that 16% homelessness was due to physical or mental disabilities. Research shows that the family theory can not only be used to help in understanding the process leading to homelessness but it can also be applied as a therapeutic measure to solve the problem. According to Hertlein and Killmer (2004), shelters for the homeless focus on the psychological re habilitation of only those homeless who have dependency or mental illness issues and no counseling is provided to the homeless who don’t have these issues. Their research suggests that some form of family therapy must be provided to all homeless, to reduce the recurrence of homelessness and improve the decision making and coping skills of such individuals. Hertlien and Killmer (2004) have suggested a step wise plan (which is in accordance to Bowen’s perspective on family therapy) for this purpose in their research paper titled: Toward differentiated decision making: family system’s theory with the homeless. The plan consists of these steps: 1) Developing Connection (This includes developing relevance and relationships of behavior of the subject with existing issues highlighted in the family) 2) Assessment (This stage involves a careful assessment of the problem and interlinks of the problems with less focus on the emotional cloud hanging over the family or the subject under study) 3) Consolidation (This step comprises of consolidating the issues faces by the family into main factors and identifying the root cause of each behavior) 4) Intervention of crisis (Intervention stage refers to the therapeutic application stage). (Hertlien and Killmer, 2004). Therefore, in addition to the social theories of Conflict and functionalism, the psychological theory and therapy of Family Systems is also equally applicable to the issue of homelessness. The following section of the literature review has its focus on the methodology used in this study and other relevant studies using similar methodologies. This will help in clarifying the rationale of methodology chosen for current study, i.e. the survey method as part of a qualitative research. Qualitative research is the type of research that seeks answers to a question and collects evidence. It is often exploratory in nature and produces undetermined findings (Family health International, 2002). Qualitative research in contrast to quantitative research has the ability to produce detailed descriptions on how humans experience an issue. It is very effective in dealing with social issues (FHI, 2002). The type of research suggested in this proposal is also qualitative since the nature of study is social and exploratory in nature. Qualitative research trades detail for ability to generalize (Research methods, 2006). Since it is insightful, it yield a lot of details but these details differ in different situations, samples and localities therefore such studies cannot be generalized on a large population (Research Methods, 2006). This research is focused on causes of homelessness in one area, i.e., Tampa, Florida. Qualitative method of research is therefore most suitable for the current study since the researcher is not looking for data to be generalized; rather, the purpose of the study is to find out the causes of homelessness specifically in Tampa, Florida. Qualitative research is rooted in the social sciences and it is concerned with human behavior, attitudes and feelings (RDSU, 1996). The current study deals with a social issue, namely homelessness and attempts to investigate its causes, therefore, the method selected for it is qualitative. It is difficult to obtain insightful answers to social problems while using close ended structured survey questionnaires (RDSU, 1996); therefore a semi structured open ended survey questionnaire will be designed for the current study. Applied Survey Research (ASR) conducted a survey in 2009 on the homeless in different counties. The rationale for using the survey method was to yield a lot of qualitative data regarding the issues associated with homelessness in the respective counties (ASR, 2009). Since the research was investigative in nature and undetermined answers were being seeked, the methodology was qualitative in nature. Two separate studies by Coats (2009) and Clark (2009) related to homelessness reviewed above were both qualitative in nature and utilized the survey method. Reason being that the topic being investigated was exploratory in nature and required a lot of additional, insightful information to be yielded. One study explored the causes of homelessness while the other one was about an insightful exploration of one cause of homelessness, i.e., mental illness. Following the same line, the current study will use similar methodology. It will be a qualitative research and will apply survey method to obtain the data. The above reviewed study by Reingold (2006) also used survey method since it aimed at exploring the causes of and issues pertaining to the dynamics of homelessness. The above review has covered three main sections: the topic, supporting theories and relevant methodology. Aims of the study This study aims at: 1) Generating data to find causes of homelessness in Florida. 2) Encouraging further research on the topic. 3) Exploring all the perceived causes of homelessness and identifying the actual factors contributing to it. Variables Causal Variables (with operational definitions): 1) Poverty/ financial crisis defined as a total bankruptcy or an income that is not enough to afford a residence in Florida. 2) Illiteracy defined as an education below high school level. 3) Unemployment defined as not earning enough money to support self or family. 4) Addiction defined as drug or alcohol abuse. Effect Variable (with operational definition): 1) Homelessness defined as not having a proper regular place to sleep at night time. Methodology The survey method will be used to conduct this study. A semis structured survey questionnaire will be designed to ask questions that address the causes of homelessness. Survey method has been chosen since most of the studies reviewed for the current study were survey based and this method seems appropriate for a research that seeks the causes of a phenomenon. Sample The proposed sample will consist of 50 homeless based in Florida and the suggested sampling type is purposive for this study. Qualitative Analysis of Data The survey questionnaires will be analyzed qualitatively to find out the most common cause of homelessness. Anticipated Results In light of literature review, the anticipated results of this study are that the most common causes of homelessness in Florida will turn out to be low income, unemployment and lack of affordable housing. Recommendations in Light of Literature Review In light of the literature review, following are some recommendations to reduce homelessness: 1) Shelter homes must provide psychological rehabilitation. 2) More funding must be utilized in homelessness prevention strategies rather than in sheltering. 3) Households at risk of homelessness must be identified and special medical, transport and repair allowances must be issued to such households. References A Report to the Community. (2005). Tampa Hillsborough citizens’ task force on homelessness. Retrieved from: http://www.homelessofhc.org/pdf/Tampa-Hillsborough%20Citizen's%20Taskforce%20Report.pdf on August 6th 2010. Bread of Life. (2007). Homelessness in Florida. Retrieved from: http://www.homelessinbrevard.org/HomelessinFlorida.html on August 6th 2010. Clark, C; Teague, G.B & Henry, R.M. (1999). Preventing Homelessness in Florida. London: Haworth Press. Inc Coats, A. (2009). What do you think is the cause of homelessness. Retrieved from: http://missionlog.wordpress.com/2009/07/07/what-do-you-think-is-the-root-cause-of-homelessness/ on August 6th 2010. Family Health International. (2002). Qualitative Research Methods: Overview. Retrieved from: www.fhi.org/nr/rdonlyres/.../overview1.pdf on August 7th 2010. Florida Coalition. (2010). Housing for all Floridians. Retrieved from: http://www.fchonline.org/pdf/2010%20-%20Homelessness%20in%20Florida%20-%20Final.pdf on August 6th 2010. GenoPro. (1998). Family systems theory. Retrieved from: http://www.genopro.com/genogram/family-systems-theory/ on August 7th 2010. Hernandez, J.M. (2007). Sociological perspectives on homelessness. Retrieved from: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/397286/sociological_perspectives_on_homelessness.html?cat=4 on August 7th 2010. Hertlein, K.M & Killmer, M.J (2004). Toward Differentiated Decision-Making: Family Systems Theory with the Homeless Clinical Population. Retrieved from: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a714858343 on August 7th 2010. Homeless Resource Centre. (2010). Causes of homelessness. Retrieved from: http://homelessresourcenetwork.org/causes.html on August 6th 2009. Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County. (2004). Retrieved from: http://www.homelessofhc.org/HChomelessCS.html on August 6th 2010. Honig M & Filer, R.K. (1993). Causes of intercity variation in homelessness.(Vol 83, No 1). The American economic review. Retrieved from: http://www.bsos.umd.edu/socy/vanneman/socy498/HonigF93.pdf on August 6th 2010. Reingold, D. (2006). Characteristics and causes of homelessness. Retrieved from: http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/homelessness/improving-data08/apd.htm#Abstract on August 7th 2010. Rich Land. (n.d). Examples of how the three main sociological perspectives aplly to homelessness. Retrieved from: http://people.richland.edu/mburke/three%20theories%20and%20social%20probs.pdf on August 7th 2010. Research Methods. (2006). Knowledge Base: Qualitative measures. Retrieved from: http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/qual.php on August 7th 2010. RDSU. (1996). Qualitative research methods. Retrieved from: http://www.uea.ac.uk/services/students/surveyoffice/Quali+analysis+sheet on August 7th 2010. Sheldon, J.H. (2009). Homeless conditions in florida-2009. Department of children and families. Retrieved from: www.fchonline.org/.../2010%20-%20Homelessness%20in%20Florida%20-%20Final.pdf on August 6th 2010. Sociology. (1999). Functionalism and Parsons. Retrieved from: http://uregina.ca/~gingrich/n2f99.htm..on August 6th 2010. Sociology Guide. (2010). Functionalist theories. Retrieved from: http://www.sociologyguide.com/social-stratification/Functionalist-theories.php on August 7th 2010. The National Mental Health Information Center. (2009). Fact sheet: The homeless. Retrieved from: www.nova.edu/allhazards/forms/homeless.pdf on August 6th 2009. The Bowen Centre. (2010). Bowen Theory. Retrieved from: http://www.thebowencenter.org/pages/theory.html on August 7th 2010. Wilson, R.J. (1994). Social Conflict theory. Retrieved from: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~hd_fs.511/lecture/Sourcebook15.ppt on August 7th 2010. Read More