How to Solve a Problem of Homeless Students in the US - Research Paper Example

Homeless Students The figures of homeless students in the United States have gone high in recent years. According to the reports released by different states, there is one child in every 30 who is rendered homeless. Statistics shows that in 2013, there were about 2.5 million homeless students (Aljazeera America 1). However, according to the Department of Education, only 1.3 million homeless are in public schools. Additionally, these figures do not include children from the preschool or the DOE. Furthermore, the number of homeless students increased by 8% from 2012 to 2013 (Aljazeera America 1). The report warned of grave consequences if the situation continued to be the same. Some of the challenges that it could pose to students include; an adverse effect on the student’s education and social and emotional development (Clary Leff, 1). Research also shows that the health of their parents is compromised and can hinder the student’s employment prospects and parenting abilities. According to the American Institute for research, there are possible remedies for the problem of homeless students. They include provision of affordable housing, creating proper education, and creating employment opportunities for homeless parents (Clary Leff, 1). The State of California, which has about one eight of the US population, accounts for one-fifth of homeless children in the United States (Aljazeera America 1). The initial tallying translates this figure to 527,000 in California alone (Aljazeera America 1). The report noted by the director of National Center indicates that the Federal government is focused on reducing the homeless amongst the US veterans. The report suggests that if efforts are not made to secure the homeless students, the society will pay high prices economically. Consequently, the reports also include list states with low number of homeless students that include Massachusetts, Nebraska, and Minnesota. The high cost of living in the State of California has been attributed to the high number of homeless students in that state (Aljazeera America 1). The state also has expensive houses and is also not enough. According to the Department of Education in the United States, currently there are about 930,200 homeless students in the country. However, the figures are given by the National Coalition for Homeless, National Center on Family Homelessness and other non-governmental organizations claim that the figure could be slightly higher than the government estimate (Kelly 3). Homeless students are faced with a number of challenges that might their progress in society. Some of the challenges faced by the homeless children include sexual abuse, out of home placement, and physical abuse. 16% of homeless are found in shelters while 14% of homeless students rely on community-based programs for their survival (Kelly 3). Additionally, 3% of these students live on the street while 6% depend on the soup kitchens. Research has also shown that homeless students aged between 3 to 17 years have been physically abused. The Weinreb study indicates that 11.6 % of these students had been physically abused (Kelly 3). The long-term sexual or physical injuries have been subdivided into the internal and external behaviors. The internal problems that affect the students include the posttraumatic stress (PTSD), depression, and anxiety (Kelly 5). On the other hand, external abuse can lead to aggressive and other undesirable behaviors. According to Lewis, a Psychiatrist in the Harvard school, repeated stress and trauma amongst other things can give rise to the deformation of personality (Kelly 6-7). Almost 8% of having been physically abused a figure that is twice the national figure. During the adolescent stage, students exhibit certain behaviors like runway tendencies, hopelessness, poor social relationships, anxiety, depression, negative impulse control and low self-esteem (Kelly 7). Many of these problems amongst students can lead to mental illness in students, substance abuse, and suicide attempts. Due to the isolation of homeless students, they can lead to the development of friendly behaviors towards the adults whose outcome can lead sexual abuse and other challenges amongst the youth. Moreover, children who have also been abused physically are more likely to experience a later victimization of sexual abuse or rape at a later date (Kelly 8). Research further indicates that sexual abuse can deter mental development amongst students. The problems arising out of homelessness can lead to psychological problems. Homeless students who live in deteriorated buildings are exposed to crowded and chaotic conditions. This can result in conflict between the parents and their children due to the pressure that is inflicted either directly or indirectly (Kelly 8). Homeless students also experience devastation due to academic failure, low self-esteem, and fear. As it is noted, homeless students are three times more likely to display behavioral problem (Kelly 9). There are various definitions of the homelessness. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), “a homeless person is defined in section 330(h) (5) (A) as a person who lacks housing, (without any regard as to whether the individual is a member of a family)” (National Healthcare for the Homeless Council (NHHC 1). This may include individuals that seek shelter in a public or a private facility (NHHC 1). Also, individuals that lack a place they call their own, or those that seek shelter in abandoned things such as vehicles and building can be described as homeless (NHHC 1). Moreover, a person can be considered homeless if is “doubled up”. An individual may also be considered homeless if he/she is unable to maintain their housing structure (NHHC 1). Furthermore, those that are released from hospitals or prisons and had no home before are listed as being homeless (NHHC 1). Most of the programs funded by US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) utilize various definitions of homelessness as found in the housing act of 2009. Homeless individuals can be viewed homeless if a person lacks usual nighttime residence (NHHC 1). Also, one is noted as homeless if he/she relies on nighttime residence not relied upon in the normal way (NHHC 1). Individuals are living in facilities that may be public or private that mostly offer temporal shelter and paid in by charitable organizations (NHHC 1). Furthermore, one can be considered homeless if he/she seeks refuge in an area not meant for habitation (NHHC 1). One may also be rendered homeless through court order. Homelessness arises when a court orders such a person to leave a building in two weeks time from a day a ruling is delivered (NHHC 1). In these definitions, it is clear that various agencies have a different definition of homelessness. The definitions also affect various programs that are used in listing individuals considered as homeless in local and state level (NHHC 1). Homelessness has detrimental effects on students. The homeless students lack adequate medical care, are faced with unstable lifestyle increase their susceptibility to other health conditions. Such students are faced with health challenges such as ear and respiratory infections, sexually transmitted diseases, and gastrointestinal disorders (CYC-online 1). Homeless students are also enticed by the older people to engage in antisocial activities. Additionally, drug use amongst homeless students is common because they have to look for means lowering the pain and to cope with the various hardships that are associated with life on the streets (CYC-online 1). The problem of homeless students can be amicably be addressed if the both the Federal and the state governments employ housing policies that solve the issue of homelessness. Some of the proven housing policies that should be implemented include the Federal housing assistance, permanent supportive housing, and provision of houses. The Federal Housing assistance is one of the solutions to cases of homeless students in the United States. The two programs that address this issue include the federal and public Housing Choice Vouchers. In this scenario, the housing vouchers allows households to access housing of their choice and rent it at the market rate and allow the families to access subsidy that adjusts with their income. Various research studies have shown that this program has been successful, and families incorporated in this system remain stable in this shelter program. The other alternative form of housing includes permanent supportive housing that was initiated in the New York City in the early 1980s. In this scheme, it gives assistance and other vital services to various individuals who can be extended to people with particular needs like students, persons with mental illness, HIV/AIDS, and other health problems. Additionally, Research also indicates that permanent housing costs less compared other forms of institutional housing programs. The other alternative approach to housing problems in the US is housing first. The policy focuses on the street families and the homelessness. The scheme provides permanent housing at a subsidized price. The scheme also links the homeless with other immediate community members. The solution to homeless Youth and Children is addressed by the Homeless and Youth Act of 2015 (H.R. 576 and S.256). The act amends the HUD definition of homeless people to include those that have been determined to be homeless by proving assistance programs like the Homeless Youth Act Programs, Runaway, Public Schools District Liaisons, and Violence Against Women programs. The government should also eliminate elaborate documentation to verify the homelessness of a student. Under the act, it gives a homeless service provider responsibility to make a simple judgment on the homelessness of student such as staying with others. Additionally, the local service providers should be well equipped to evaluate which population has the highest unmet needs and where the federal resources towards the homeless should be channeled to ensure they reach the right population. The act also ensures that there is sufficient data collection of homeless youth, children, and families. Such data is made public for honest and accurate accounting for the homelessness in the United States of America (Help Homeless Children and Youth Now 1). Consequently, the homeless Act will save millions of homeless students and children to lead healthier and safer lives and have a better chance for a better future. It also ensures that the federal government response to the issue of homeless students is based on accuracy and honesty. There are many programs that have been initiated by colleges across the nation to help the homeless students. In this scenario, UCLA intervenes whenever students are affected by an economic crisis. Consequently, the team in an economic crisis will always intervene to ensure that students who have problems like homelessness are assisted to stay in school (USA Today 1). The UCLA program is capable to provide scholarship, help in the form of meal vouchers, and other financial assistance services. Additionally, the NAEHCY also awards scholarships to students and allocates them case managers to see them through college. Furthermore, the NAEHCY also focuses on policies that raise the awareness to financial needs of homeless students. According to Duffield, most of the colleges are becoming aware of the problem and have started giving counseling programs to the affected students like the on-campus food banks (USA Today 1). The program ensures that students who do not qualify are those who can afford the meal plans hence given stamps for their food pantry. The higher learning institutions should also provide counseling services to the affected homeless students and offer adequate support to them. In conclusion, there are about 1.3 million students currently living in the United States that are homeless. Homelessness is a serious condition that can lead to adverse effects amongst students. Such results include trauma and stress, poor performance in school, and engagement in prostitution, drug trafficking and substance abuse amongst the affected students. There are various definitions of a homeless individual, but, in summary, a homeless individual is a person who does not have a permanent residence where he/she lives. Various programs and laws are being implemented to address the issue of student homelessness in the United States, which recorded the highest increase between 2012 and 2013. In the State of California, there are a greater number of homeless students and the issue has been blamed on the high cost of living in the state of California. Works Cited Aljazeera America. “Homelessness among US children at all-time high.” America.aljazeera.com. Web. 16 March 2015. . Clary David and Leff Lisa. “Number of Homeless Children in America Surges to All- Time High: Report. 2014”. Huffingtonpost.com/. Web. 16 March 2015. . CYC-online. “Street Children and Homelessness.” Cyc-net.org. Web. 16 March 2015. . Coalition for the Homeless. “We Can End the Homeless Crisis.” Coalitionforthehomeless.org. Web. 16 March 2015. . “Help Homeless Children and Youth Now!” Helphomelesskidsnow.org. Web.16 March 2015. . Kelly Elizabeth. Long-term Effects on Homeless Children. Web. Accessed on 15th March 2015. National Healthcare for the Homeless Council. What is the official definition of homelessness? Web. 16th March 2015 . USA Today. College campuses see rise in homeless students. Web. 16th March 2015 . Read More