We hear lots of stories from the United States about poor people who work hard and finally become rich and successful. But many people in ‘the land of opportunity’ can’t even afford a place to live: the homeless.
The National Coalition for the Homeless says “3.5 million Americans experience homelessness in one year.” Almost a quarter of all people receiving homeless support services are children. Some people are homeless for years, others temporarily. Three-quarters of homeless people are single men, but the number of homeless families has increased dramatically.
veterans
As many as one third of the homeless are military veterans. Many former veterans find it hard to re-enter civilian life. Soldiers returning from war zones might also suffer from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, which can cause long-lasting psychological problems.
Other common causes of homelessness are mental illness, drug or alcohol addiction, or being old and alone.
Natural disasters make people homeless too: Hurricane Sandy in October destroyed thousands of houses in eastern states.
the facts
But more and more Americans are becoming homeless for economic reasons. US unemployment is 7.9 per cent and 15 per cent of the population is officially poor. Many have lost their jobs in the global financial crisis since 2008 and lost their homes to foreclosures. This means that they can’t pay the mortgage on their house, and the bank takes possession of it, leaving them out in the cold.
Even people with jobs can’t find accommodation they can afford. Wages have declined while the cost of housing has risen.
Over 32 million Americans who don’t have health insurance are at a high risk for financial disaster, too. Imagine their catastrophe if they suddenly need an operation, can’t work for several weeks, or develop a chronic illness.
obama
President Obama has allocated $1.5 billion to a Homeless Prevention Fund with the aim of ending homelessness in the US in 10 years. When it takes effect in 2014, his Affordable Care Act will also help prevent poverty and homelessness by ensuring that all Americans have health
insurance.
But, as positive as this sounds, funds are scarce and thousands of individuals and families still struggle to survive.
Publicly-funded programs, non-profit organisations, churches and private initiatives do what they can. Homeless shelters offer beds, showers, hot meals, laundry facilities and social services.
in work
Some homeless people have more than one low-paying job at the same time. Some beg, some perform music or other entertainment on the street for money. And homeless people in all major cities create and sell ‘street newspapers’ containing articles on poverty and homelessness.
Alvin’s Story
Alvin lives in the middle of midtown Manhattan, on West 54th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues. He stays outside all year, in any weather, and was even outside at his spot throughout Hurricane Sandy. He sits there and reads books all day. Many people, including members of the mega-rich Rockefeller family, who also live next door, stop by to chat with Alvin or just say hello. There is a neighbour who brings him a cup of warm tea every day, others stop by and bring him food. Alvin never begs. Alvin has money in his pocket but doesn’t spend it. He could pay for a hotel room, to get washed and sleep for a night, but he doesn’t do so, because he wouldn’t feel welcome. He also doesn’t go into food shops for the same reason. He doesn’t go into shelters, because he thinks they are dirty and also full of violent people. Alvin prefers the street. He is originally from Detroit, Michigan. He says that he came from a good, loving family with parents who paid attention to his education. He served in the Air Force from age 17 to 21, and was involved in airplane mechanics and possibly also intelligence, but the reasons for his leaving the Air Force are not clear.
Entrevista con un experto (con audio): The Death of the American Dream: Homeless in America
