Routes into Homelessness because of Home Abuse and Drugs - Term Paper Example

Ron Steele John Smith English 500 7 August Housing and Homelessness in Britain: An Overview Homelessness is an ongoing struggle and problematic issue in our society. Solutions to control and gradually eliminate it prove elusive, and homelessness is such a complex problem that solving it will require substantial changes in policy and in the way people view it. It seems logical that a focus on ongoing support for these individuals is of high importance. This paper will examine three key categories facing Britain in terms of what causes housing and homelessness to exist: (1) personal issues; (2) family issues; and (3) structural issues. Personal issues would involve items such as individual drug or alcohol abuse; an existence of a criminal background; and excessive personal debt. Next, family issues include such issues as relationship breakdowns or domestic violence; family sexual or physical abuse during childhood; or a parent’s drug or alcohol problems during youth. Finally, structural issues would include such items as government housing policies; the closing of long-term psychiatric hospitals; and structure and administration of housing benefits. As we examine each of the three issues above, we will evaluate some possible methods to correct problem areas. A brief overview of the statistical findings of problem areas is useful. One survey in 2007 interviewed the homeless directly and found: (1) 41% had a recent relationship breakdown; (2) 28% were asked to leave the family home; (3) 31% had drug abuse issues; (4) 28% had alcohol abuse issues; (5) 25% were ex-convicts leaving prison; and (6) 19% had mental health problems. An unspecified number of individuals had other issues including eviction problems for lack of benefit payments received (Ravenhill 3). The first issue facing Britain in terms of housing and homelessness are personal issues of individuals. Drug and alcohol abuse is a personal issue that is frequently combined with mental illness, which increases the risk of homelessness. In addition, if people lose their homes for any reason, drug or alcohol abuse with often worsen (Kenway and Palmer 33). A survey was performed which examined being homeless combined with issues such as substance abuse and mental illness. It was found that such individuals account for 50% or more of the total homeless, yet only 11% of beds were available for such people (33). Further, only a minority of facilities offer in-house detox and rehabilitation treatment. Homeless can still get external care, but the wait time is twice as long as for those facilities that has internal care. In some instances, the wait time for external care can be up to one year ( Kenway and Palmer 34). Thus, the study suggests that reevaluation of the way facilities are organized is important by having more room dedicated to those with multiple issues. Having the authorities allocate more in-house rehabilitation treatment and quicker response time would prove useful. Other issues involve hostels and night shelters, which are often the first stop for substance abuse users. It is recognized that staff that work in such facilities are not trained to handle issues like substance abuse or mental illness. (Kenway and Palmer 37). In addition, drug use does not fall into a ‘vulnerable’ or high priority category, so eligibility for long term housing is usually not present (37). By having appropriately trained staff at hostels or night shelters, who can give proper direction by pointing people to a location to handle underlying issues as these individuals face would be one step in the right direction. Periodic reexamination of what could be considered ‘high priority’ cases would also be helpful. Ex-convicts are another high risk category for homelessness due to their often complex issues. One third of people exit prison with no housing arranged (Kenway and Palmer 30). A substantial more have somewhere to go temporarily, but do not know how long it will be available. Forty percent of people starting a prison term with a tenancy will eventually lose the tenancy. There is a 13-week rule where having benefits stop for anyone expected to spend any time longer than just a few months in prison (31). Ironically, those in prison for a short time have sometimes greater problems securing housing. Many hostels have probation officers helping ex-convicts to secure a place to stay. Since those serving under one year do not have a probation officer, they are locked out of this privilege (32). Being in debt is another personal reason for lack of housing. Accumulation of rent payments account for 95% of evictions in England and Wales (Kenway and Palmer 32). Main causes of rent accumulation are: (1) drop in wages due to job loss; (2) issues due to the housing benefit administration; and (3) being vulnerable because of managing to get by on low amounts of money. Outlying or less populated areas are showing more rates of homelessness since the distance between the people who need services and the providers are greater than for city dwellers. Finally, budgeting money is also a problem, since people who leave home while young do not often have the education or ability to budget (32). One primary solution to this area would be better lifelong education. In addition, having debt counselors available that could help negotiate possible alternatives between creditors and lenders is desirable. The Kenway and Palmer study places emphasis on the government stepping in to make sure preparation and resources are available to handle to full scale of the homelessness issue (4). Some specifics mentioned that the government needs to accomplish are: (1) addressing in a more adequate way the nature of ‘hidden homelessness’; (2) improve understanding on the true nature of what obstacles the homeless face; (3) consider how employment opportunities could help reduce homelessness; (4) recognize and reward family and others who provide help to those without homes; (5) examine legislation to ensure it is adequate to cover support issues needed; and (6) make sure resources are put in place to overcome in a complete way the issue of homelessness (Kenway and Palmer 4). Besides personal issues as mentioned above, family issues also give rise to housing and homelessness issues. A few of these would include domestic violence; family sexual or physical abuse at an early age; and also having parents with a history of substance abuse issues. By far, the most common issue in losing housing is with domestic violence. In one study, 40% of homeless women said that domestic violence was a factor in their being without a home (Shelter, 5). In Scotland, an examination of the repeat homeless showed that relationship issues such as violence at home was a major cause of people returning to having no housing (Repeat homelessness in Scotland, 7). After escaping abuse, 25% get temporary shelter with friends or relatives; 30% go through housing association locations; and 13% seek refuge in hostels (Repeat homelessness in Scotland 7). Kenway and Palmer state that the rules have been revised under the ‘new priority need’ classification, and those seeking refuge due to likely or already occurring domestic violence are put at the top of the ‘need list’ by authorities. However, delays still happen since local authorities meet roadblocks to find long-term housing. Hence, the victims are still made to wait. A full 82% of London authorities experienced such issues in dealing with victims of domestic abuse (30). Structural causes are a final area for causes of homelessness. A primary one is the lack of social housing availability as brought out in the important study More Than a Roof. The study mentions that the supply of affordable housing is a problem in Britain. Demand is on the rise in many parts of the nation. In turn, private rent costs go up, which causes more demand for social housing. Even though the demand is high, the supply of such types of housing has fell. One million fewer residences are owned by housing groups now than in 1977. Social housing has fell from 31% to 20% of all housing since that year. (9) Part of the cause for the decline in social housing has been major reductions in public investment in the 1990s. Even though investment of over 4 billion pounds occurred by 2004, progress did not happen because of increased land and construction costs. Besides decreased net investment, other reasons exist for the decline in social housing. The ‘right to buy’ program provided 1.7 million counsel home sales nationally. Even though the ‘right to buy’ program brought benefits to individuals wanting to buy houses, it took away from the number of houses that could be used to help the homeless. (More Than a Roof 10) Multiple studies of housing and homelessness in Britain have been performed in the past decade. More Than a Roof is an important example that mentions many workable ideas with the focus being underlying causes. Some proposals include: (1) addressing more fully employment issues by having government funded work projects to include many diverse areas such as farming, gardening, catering, restoring furniture, etc…. (21). More Than a Roof also emphasizes modernization of mental health services by: (1) investment; (2) reform in services; and (3) legislation reform (23). The study mentions that placing emphasis on substance abuse is critical since having it under control can steer off many other issues such as crime, poor health, prolonged unemployment, or anti-social behavior (23). Housing and homelessness is a complex issue that is not fixed with one or two simple changes. It involves examining root social issues to try to prevent it from first occurring, while helping those on the street to help themselves through training, education, funding, rehabilitation, and community support. We can see by government intervention along with public awareness of the need for joint efforts to eradicate this issue in the earliest stages possible, even such a troublesome society issue as lack of housing and homelessness can be conquered. Works Cited More Than a Roof: A report into tackling homelessness Department for Communities and Local Government, March 2003. pp. 1-32. Kenway, Peter and Guy Palmer. How many, How much? Single homelessness and the question of numbers and cost. Crisis. London, UK. 2003. pp.1-61. Ravenhill, M. Routes into homelessness: A study by the Centre for the Analysis of Social Exclusion of the paths into homelessness of homeless clients of the London Borough of Camden’s Homeless Persons Unit. Center for the Analysis of Social Exclusion. Web. London, 2000. pp.1-10. Repeat homelessness and domestic abuse. Shelter. 2002. pp 1-15. Repeat homelessness in Scotland. Homelessness Task Force Research Series. Scottish homes 2001. Web. pp 1-12. Read More