The Perception and Truths of Homelessness

Homelessness has been, and likely will be for a long time, a global epidemic and a pressing issue. Many Americans have fallen under the belief that our ever-improving society has resolved the issue — and they are right about certain parts. For example, the total population has decreased in 34 states, meaning less mouths to feed. However, population is not the only matter when considering such a complex topic and the constantly changing nature of homelessness leads to many ups and downs.

While the total number of people affected by homelessness has gone down greatly in the past few decades, another less-pleasing number has decreased at the same time -- age. Nowadays, the poor are expected to live an average lifespan of 13 years less than that of the rich and able, an issue that did not exist not too long ago. Why such a problem has sprung up is a debated question, but the fact remains the same, and it is only making living in poverty worse. Welfare sometimes provides the bare minimum to survive, shelters are not enough, and more needs to be done to improve living standards for those living in poverty --- if this was not the case, people would not be dying 13 years earlier than normal.

At the same time, homeless people are also looked down upon by more fortunate individuals; for the longest time, those who are homeless have been perceived negatively, as criminals or those who are too unstable to hold a job, even if neither is true and regardless if they are --- this prejudice from the community certainly isn't helping their situation. It could go a long way to improve their lives if everyone looked at them with the same respect as any other more privileged man or woman, instead of turning the other cheek at first glance.