course materials

1. Assignment: Social Problem Research Homelessness Paper
Assignment: Social Problem Research Homelessness Paper ON Assignment: Social
Problem Research Homelessness PaperResponding to the social problems that affect the
populations you serve as a social worker is only one aspect of the professional
responsibility you must undertake. The ability to be proactive by identifying disparities and
gaps in policies is just as important. However, in order to be an effective advocate and to
fully participate in the policy process, it is important that you be able to connect theory and
research to policy-making decisions. Having the knowledge and skills to implement new
policies and policy alternatives without creating new disparities is a skill all social workers
need to possess.For this Assignment, consider what you have learned about the possible
causes of the social problem you selected.Assignment (2–4 pages, APA format): Your paper
should include:A description of the known explanations or causes of the issue you selected
in your Social Issues paper in Week 3(Homelessness)A description of the theoretical
explanations and approaches scholars and policy analysts used to discuss this issueA
description of the policies that have resulted from these discussions and an explanation of
whether they are effective at resolving the issueContain at least 4 citations and
referencesI’ve attached the week 3 paper to see what was submittedI use SafeAssgn for
anti-plagerism toolI’ve attached a sample document; it can be used as a starting point. I’m
ok if we use the references; but I’d like at least 1 new
reference._wk_5_assignment_requirements.docxweek_5_sample.docx_wk3_paper.docxUnfor
matted Attachment PreviewAssignment: Social Problem Research Responding to the social
problems that affect the populations you serve as a social worker is only one aspect of the
professional responsibility you must undertake. The ability to be proactive by identifying
disparities and gaps in policies is just as important. However, in order to be an effective
advocate and to fully participate in the policy process, it is important that you be able to
connect theory and research to policy-making decisions. Having the knowledge and skills to
implement new policies and policy alternatives without creating new disparities is a skill all
social workers need to possess. For this Assignment, consider what you have learned about
the possible causes of the social problem you selected. Assignment (2–4 pages, APA format):
Your paper should include: • A description of the known explanations or causes of the issue
you selected in your Social Issues paper in Week 3 (Homelessness). • A description of the
theoretical explanations and approaches scholars and policy analysts used to discuss this
issue • A description of the policies that have resulted from these discussions and an
explanation of whether they are effective at resolving the issue Social Issues Walden

2. University Figures title:2 Social Issues Addressing the on-going social issue of children and
families in shelter and how it affects them will be an on-going problem until a solution is
found, and there is no quick fix to poverty. Assignment: Social Problem Research
Homelessness PaperFamilies and children in shelter makes up a great deal in society. This
situation effects the child’s mental and social skills with peers. Parents who find themselves
in situation mostly believe they have failed their families and themselves. We will discuss
the social issues and policies around children and homelessness. Explanations or causes of
Homelessness with families and children. There are many causes and reasons as to why
homelessness occurs amongst families and children. A few of these reasons are inadequate
housing options associated with housing conditions, According too the article Poverty
Children and Shelter, many “Inadequate housing and infrastructure facilities pose direct
threats to children’s physical safety, and a combination of overcrowding, open fires, access
to clean water.”(Poverty, children and shelter). Eviction is another cause of homelessness
with children and families. This may happen due too inadequate amount of funds in a
household, rent increase, violation of lease agreements, drugs, mental illness, and damage of
property. Some theorist also suggest that homelessness continues due too social classes and
oppression, and finding proper work. Theoretical explanations and approaches scholars and
policy analysts used to discuss issue of Homelessness According too Ellen L. Bassuk et al
(2014), Beyond Child Welfare-Theories of Child Homelessness it was discussed that, Recent
federal data shows that since 2010, the number of children who experienced homelessness
in 2013 reached an astounding 2.5 million. Homelessness is increasingly growing rapid
government and policy makers need to find a way too assist families when it comes too
providing aide. There has been an increasing focus on the subject of poverty from a variety
of scholars Figures title:3 and policy makers, perhaps because of the growing underclass in
America and around the globe. (PEADAR KIRBY, VULNERABILITY AND VIOLENCE 14?19
(2006). Homelessness can in some cases be a temporary problem, but for others
homelessness is a chronic issue which may seem to have no end. Assignment: Social
Problem Research Homelessness PaperThere are a few scholars who have since wrote
books regarding homelessness and one being Immanuel Kant who wrote, “there is a moral
duty to help alleviate poverty, whatever the cause of poverty is”. Many scholars also noted
that homelessness and poverty was a lack of “injustice” while others disagreed and
mentioned, poverty and the weight of homelessness is rather a concern for all and not just
on one specific level. Another theoretical approach that may suggest homeless is “ the main
causal factor combines problems in society with the individual’s situation” (Rodrigo (2011)
A description of the policies that have resulted from these discussions and an explanation of
whether they are effective at resolving the issue Law enforces need too figure out different
ways to end homelessness or try to find outlets for individuals, families and children who
are stricken with this issue. “Nearly 70 percent of the city’s shelter population is composed
of children and their families, who on average remain in shelters for more than 430 days”
(Corden, c., march, J. and kende, j. (2018). . Some of the recommendations to these policies
are: creating more affordable and ive housing and stabilizing rent, for those experiencing
domestic violence creating a safe and stabilized shelter that allow survivors to keep their
jobs and avoid disrupting their children’s lives. By providing additional safety measures and

3. precautions to those that are experiencing domestic violence. (Corden, c., et al, ) Prioritizing
the processing of housing applications for homeless families will ensure that homeless
families receive assistance as quickly and efficiently as possible. Lastly, Investing in
aftercare services that help families access much-needed social s, and exploring the
development of an affordable housing model that includes on-site services for Figures
title:4 families in need who do not qualify for ive housing will help homeless families with
children to remain stably housed after leaving shelter. (Corden, c., et al, ) All of these
services mentioned are tools and outlets of ways policies can make a difference in the lives
of children and families. I have been a witness to many families who has come into shelter
due to landlords inflation of rent, wanting too evict families due to their color of skin, and
sometimes just wanting the apartment back. Our generous efforts to address these issues
are important because we are advocating for the rights of our clients and families.
Implementing different strategies and plans to aide these families are important in fostering
human developments and coming too an end with the issue of homelessness. Figures title:5
References Ellen L. Bassuk et al., America’s Youngest Outcasts: A Report Card on Child
Homelessness, THE NAT’L CTR. ON FAMILY HOMELESSNESS 15 (November 2014),
available at http://www.homelesschildrenamerica.org/mediadocs/280.pdf. IMMANUEL
KANT, THE METAPHYSICS OF MORALS 245 (Mary J. Gregor trans., Cambridge Univ. Press
1991) Rodrigo (2011) The Causes of Young Homelessness and the Theory Behind It Corden,
c., march, J. and kende, j. (2018). 7 Policies to End Family Homelessness – Shelterforce.
[online] Shelterforce. Assignment: Social Problem Research Homelessness PaperAvailable
at: https://shelterforce.org/2017/07/12/homelessness-housing-integrated-plannew-york/
[Accessed 2 Jul. 2018]. Figures title:6 Jack, Malcom
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/dpuprojects/drivers_urb_change/urb_infrastructure/pdf_shelter_set
tlements /HI_Jack_Poverty_Children_Chelter.pdf Figures title:7 Figures title:8 Running
Head: HOMELESSNESS AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM Homelessness as a Social Problem Walden
University Homelessness as a Social Problem 1 HOMELESSNESS AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM 2
There are three classifications of homelessness; transient homelessness refers to
individuals who use shelters for a single brief stay, periodic homelessness refers to
repeated but brief stays at shelters, and finally, there is chronic homelessness referring to
extended periods of homelessness. Chronic homelessness is usually accompanied by a
disabling condition such as mental illness, developmental disability, substance abuse, or
chronic illnesses; the chronic homeless make up about 18% of the homeless population
(Leprot et al., 2018). Homelessness is a problem that has become a crisis in the United
States. Data from 2018 shows that about 552,830 were homeless on a single night with 67%
being single individuals and 33% being families with children(State of Homelessness). The
most common reasons for families to be homeless are lack of affordable housing,
unemployment, and poverty. For singles, however, these reasons tend to be mental illness,
substance abuse, and lack of affordable housing. Finding affordable housing has become a
major challenge for many Americans in urban areas; a 2017 report indicates that over 6.7
Million Americans had to spend over half their income on rent. Despite poverty levels
dropping since The Great Recession of 2007/2009, 42.6( 13.4% of the general population)
million people still live in poverty; this group of people struggles to afford basic necessities

4. including housing Other explanations for homelessness include escaping domestic violence
and racial inequality (State of Homelessness). African Americans report the most
disproportionate numbers when it comes to housing since they make up 40% of the
homeless population while only being 13% of the general population (State of
Homelessness). This situation emanates from systematic discrimination that has
perpetuated disparities in poverty and employment, housing, criminal justice, and health
care. Assignment: Social Problem Research Homelessness PaperThe existence of these
disparities has placed African Americans at greater risk of becoming homeless
HOMELESSNESS AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM 3 There has been an increase in the population of
youth under 25 (with no parents or children) being homeless. This group now accounts for
7% of the homeless population. This is a result of these young people either running away
from home or being kicked out. LGBT youth and others who failed to finish high school are
at greater risk of being homeless, especially in African American and Latino communities
(Morton et al., 2018). Young mothers also tend to become homeless after their parents
refuse to help them. Veterans make up about 11% of the homeless population with nearly
half being from the Vietnam War (National Coalition for Homeless Veterans). The primary
reason for homeless veterans is lack of access to healthcare since many of them struggle
with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Substance abuse. Veterans are as a result
vulnerable to homelessness, especially if they lack networks. Other reasons include the
lack of affordable housing and livable income, especially considering the fact that military
skills are not easily transferrable to the civilian workforce. Due to these reasons, about 1.4
million veterans live at the risk of being homeless (National Coalition for Homeless
Veterans). The 1980s marked the emergence of the modern homelessness problem. This is
because there were very many social forces at work that led to the current crisis. The
changes that occurred include The HIV/AIDS epidemic, gentrification of inner cities, rise in
unemployment levels, lack of affordable housing, deinstitutionalization of the mentally
insane and budget cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development and social
agencies due to the recession that rocked the country. Due to the recession property value
in areas such as downtown went down the drain and rooming houses that provided housing
to the transient population were either destroyed or converted into apartment or
condominiums. The changes to the Supplementary Security Income (SSI) and the Social
Security act of 1980 also made it more difficult for the HOMELESSNESS AS A SOCIAL
PROBLEM 4 disabled and the mentally ill to get the help they needed to afford housing. The
combination of all these factors led to the rise of an unprecedented number of homeless
people, and this trend has become impossible to reverse. The 80s, for instance, changed the
housing market dramatically because since then rent in major cities has been rising while
wages have stagnated (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2018).
The homeless problem can be explained by the pluralist model and power-elite model. The
pluralist model proposes that due to the existence of insider and outsider groups, there is
social exclusion. Assignment: Social Problem Research Homelessness PaperThis is because
the social groups with power are able to advance their interests without considering the
interests of those who are marginalized, such as minorities and LBGTQ members. The
power elite model, on the other hand, claims that since power is concentrated among the

5. wealthy, it is difficult for everyday citizens to get their interests addressed. According to
these two models, therefore, homelessness can result from being disadvantaged in the
social politics (Johnsen, Fitzpatrick & Watts, 2018). The dominant group, in this case, hold
power, and this leads to uneven distribution of resources. Therefore to address the
problem, scholars propose the development of equitable policies that will give marginalized
communities a chance to get educated, have employment, and make a fair income. The
individual will eventually be able to afford housing and healthcare among other needs
(Popple & Leighninger, 2014). In conclusion, therefore, homelessness is a deep-rooted
social problem with a long history. Periods of recession are usually accompanied by rising
numbers in poverty and homelessness. Under normal circumstances, homelessness is
brought about by, lack of access to affordable housing, mental health, and substance abuse
issues, domestic violence, and racial inequality. There are also vulnerable populations at
risk of being homeless; these are; LGBT youth, young mothers, and veterans.
HOMELESSNESS AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM References Johnsen, S., Fitzpatrick, S., & Watts, B.
(2018). Homelessness and social control: a typology. Housing Studies, 33(7), 1106-1126.
Liptrot, G., Pruden, D., Pollins, A., Parkin, L., & Alexander, D. (2018). Working together:
Homeless Outreach Mental Health and Housing Service (HOMHS). Parity, 31(10), 13.
Morton, M. H., Dworsky, A., Matjasko, J. L., Curry, S. R., Schlueter, D., Chávez, R., & Farrell, A.
F. (2018). Prevalence and correlates of youth homelessness in the United States. Journal of
Adolescent Health, 62(1), 14-21. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and
Medicine. (2018). Permanent ive housing: evaluating the evidence for improving health
outcomes among people experiencing chronic homelessness. National Academies Press.
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://nchv.org/index.php/news/media/background_and_statistics/ Popple, P. R., &
Leighninger, L. (2014). The policy-based profession: An introduction to social welfare policy
analysis for social workers. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. State of Homelessness. (n.d.).
Retrieved from https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in america/homelessness-
statistics/state-of-homelessness-report/ 5