Homelessness remains a pervasive and often misunderstood social problem that afflicts millions of people around the globe. It is a complex issue affected by a multitude of interconnected factors, making it challenging for policymakers, social workers, and advocacy groups alike. This case study will delve into the diverse causes and contributing factors leading to homelessness, illustrated by selected real-life cases.
The first case revolves around ‘John’, a middle-aged man who was a small business owner. Unfortunately, the economic recession brutally affected his business leading to bankruptcy. The resulting financial distress and loss of income forced John into a homeless state, which reflects one major cause of homelessness – economic factors. In the United States, for instance, the 2008 Great Recession led to a surge in homelessness rates. Unemployment, insufficient income, and lack of affordable housing continue to cause significant numbers of individuals and families to lose their homes.
The second case involves ‘Sarah’, a young woman dealing with mental health issues. Lacking family support, she found it challenging to maintain a job and eventually ended up homeless. Mental illness is another significant contributing factor to homelessness. Due to their condition, tasks such as job retention, managing finances, and maintaining social relationships can be arduous for those suffering from mental health disorders. Additionally, the lack of access to affordable mental health care services exacerbates this problem.
The third case study involves ‘Daniel’, a victim of domestic abuse who chose to flee his home for safety reasons. In Daniel’s case, domestic violence led to his homelessness. Domestic violence is a prevalent issue that often drives individuals, particularly women and children, out of their homes for fear of their safety. Unfortunately, the lack of shelter, resources, and support systems for victims of domestic violence leaves a large number of them homeless.
The fourth case focuses on ‘Rosa’, a single mother with three children. Rosa lost her job and was unable to find affordable childcare, which led to her and her children ending up without a home. For single parents like Rosa, particularly single mothers, the lack of financial stability coupled with occasions such as eviction, low-income jobs, expensive child care, and the burden of providing for multiple dependents often leads to homelessness.
Lastly, we have ‘Tom’, a veteran discharged from the army who fell into addiction, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Military veterans, who experience PTSD, substance abuse, and have limited access to crucial services such as health care, mental health counseling, and job training, are overrepresented in the homeless population.
These cases reveal an intricate web of factors that converge and precipitate crises leading to homelessness. It is vital to note that these cases are not exclusive, and often, individuals may be affected by multiple factors simultaneously. Other contributing factors can include severe substance abuse, lack of education or skills for employment, historical racism leading to multigenerational poverty, and a lack of supportive relationships or social networks
Notably, a crucial aspect that emerges from these cases is the role of social structures and systems in creating and perpetuating homelessness. The role of systemic issues, particularly the lack of affordable housing, healthcare, mental health support, and social safety nets, are fundamental drivers of homelessness. Homelessness is not merely an individual issue, but a societal problem where collective responsibility is essential.
In conclusion, understanding homelessness necessitates a comprehensive awareness of diverse contributing factors. Tackling homelessness requires multidimensional solutions that include investing in affordable housing, social safety nets, healthcare, mental health services, and empowering individuals with education, job training, and substance abuse recovery programs. Furthermore, a systemic approach that acknowledges and confronts discriminatory practices and policies that have historically marginalized certain population groups is imperative in addressing homelessness.