Table of ContentsEssay Outline on HomelessnessIntroductionHistorical ContextCurrent TrendsChallenges and SolutionsConclusionEssay Example on HomelessnessHistorical BackgroundCurrent TrendConclusionEssay Outline on HomelessnessIntroductionIntroduction to Homelessness in AmericaMention the scope of the problem, including veterans, children, and adultsHistorical BackgroundBackground historical overview of homelessness in AmericaDiscussion of factors that have contributed to homelessness in the pastExamination of policies and approaches to addressing homelessness in different erasCurrent trendsAnalysis of the current state of homelessness in AmericaRole of social workers in addressing homelessnessCollaborative efforts with various stakeholdersChallenges and solutionsIdentification of challenges in addressing homelessnessDiscussion of the problem need for adequate funding Role of social workers in providing services and psychological support Conclusion Summary of historical and current trends in addressing homelessness Emphasis on the importance of collaboration and support for social workers' initiatives Essay Example on Homelessness Although the problem of homelessness may seem to be of little analytical value among researchers, this challenge has been considered catastrophic in America. With approximately 60,000 veterans, 2.5 million children, and 2.5% homeless adults respectively, it is indisputable that homelessness represents a major challenge in America (Henwood, 2015). As a result of this challenge, a fundamental change occurred; that is, putting an end to the problem instead of managing it. In recent decades the government has also failed to manage this challenge, simply because aid interventions for this population are linked to responding to individual needs. Other times, it is because the homeless have been inaccurately defined as criminals, ignorant and those who voluntarily choose to stay on the streets, making it difficult to find an amicable solution. It is for the reasons stated above that the profession of social work has been deemed important and compelling. The article will then focus on exploring historical and current trends in social welfare and political legislation to discover how they have responded to the above challenge. In this way, the study will be able to justify the need for a social welfare system; especially social workers in putting an end to the challenge. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Historical Background The history of homelessness in America can be traced as far as history can tell. However, reference is often made to the 18th century, when this problem became well known. During this time, the issue of homelessness was attributed to the Industrial Revolution. Americans would migrate to urban areas to seek newly created job opportunities in established manufacturing and production industries. Instead, industrialization contributed to displacement. Other factors that have facilitated displacement include civil wars, natural disasters, racial inequities, and disenfranchisement policies. For example, in 1920, massive flooding of the Mississippi River displaced approximately 1.3 million people (Gonyea, 2010). Throughout American history, unlike social organizations, politicians have focused more on the homeless “unworthy poor,” while neglecting the worthy poor. The worthy poor refer to people who are poor simply because of perversity, willfulness, and laziness. On the other hand, the unworthy poor refers to people whosepoverty occurs outside their control. Although these categories are considered a thing of the past, they have been used to define the neediest homeless people who should be prioritized for help. For example, in the 20th century the government adopted a practice known as "broadcasting" (currently known as bus therapy) as help for widows, immigrants, and orphans. Subsequently, the practice was criticized as unfavorable and biased (Toro, 2007). After the trumpet sounded louder, there was the intervention of the Charity Organization Society (COS) which called for moral treatment of the worthy poor. Surprisingly, the years from 1930 to 1950 were characterized by many policies aimed at addressing the problem of homelessness. One of the main policies has been to create “skid row” in downtown areas. An example is the Los Angeles skid row that housed approximately 17,7000 homeless adults. Politicians have also introduced loan programs to help people living in these areas build small single-room homes and hotels. However, the homeless population in urban areas has continued to increase, largely due to policy makers' decisions to renovate cities; which would see many small houses demolished to pave the way for the construction of modern buildings. This was not just a housing policy, simply because politicians would force all homeless people to be relocated from cities and only a few would be temporarily placed in organizations like the Salvation Army. Even with the above-mentioned settlements, urban and In terms of housing policies, social welfare seemed unhappy with the fact that, according to the government, the problem of homelessness had significantly decreased. However, the government has not well defined its affordable housing strategy. Furthermore, the period between the late 1960s and the mid-1970s was characterized by difficult economic times, also referred to as the “Great Depression” times. This means that, since most homeless people could not afford the cost of housing, they moved to public places, i.e. to other cities and more deprived areas. By 1976, even the shelters built failed to house the homeless population. Bachman, (2010), estimates that, by 1977, the number of beds had increased from 275,000 to 609,000 in the same sheltered housing (Leginski, 2007). In 1978, a stark contrast between homelessness and opportunity for all was exposed. At this time, the issue of homelessness has been redefined as a challenge that calls for the immediate attention of social services. This was first observed when various social forces called for the government to respond to homeless veterans; which were largely neglected and to address the challenge posed by the growing number of people living in sheltered accommodation. It was in the same period that the discipline of social work began to research and document the scope of the problem. More importantly, social research organizations have made considerable efforts to define the nature of the problem. An example of such organizations includes the Robert Johnson Foundation. Far from carrying out research on homelessness, the foundation also focused on creating media to raise awareness about the nature of the problem. These include characteristics, causal factors and consequences of the problem (nature). Equally important, the foundation would urge the government to “bury” the old myth of the worthy and unworthy poor. Following strong “winds” from social welfare groups, the government amended the Homeless Assistance Act of 1987. The act was to see that emergency shelters and birthing homes were establishedespecially among people with disabilities. However, the law has facilitated the establishment of support programs, such as basic skills training for the homeless, creating more job opportunities. These initiatives were later replaced by the TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) program. One of the most important steps taken by TANF was to cut housing spending from $90 billion to $30 billion in 2000. However, the problem of homelessness has continued to intensify, according to the study by scholars of various disciplines. Examples of such researchers include Spellman (2007) who found that the number of homeless people increased from 6.2 million in 1970 to 8.6.million in 2000. The Economic Policy Institute attributed this challenge to decreasing minimum wages. The institute produced a statistical report indicating that, since 1979, wages have fallen by approximately 26 percent, despite the fact that manufacturing industries have maintained working hours. However, social groups and unions were numerically limited and did not reflect much power to influence the political system (Wilkins, & Anderson, 2007). By the late 1900s, social institutions were almost convinced that federal and local governments were incapable of providing an amicable solution. Social services have started to blame politicians for the lack of long-term structural problems. These social media began to brand the government as a failure; simple because it provided temporary and recurring solutions. The government also failed to develop affirmative action to assist the homeless in other related areas of health care, nutrition and education. Current trend As observed from the above study, social workers have had little influence on the political system. This is simply because there were only a limited number of social unions with insignificant coercive power towards the government. But at the beginning of the 21st century, the government makes a significant change by establishing strong ties and supporting social workers in leveraging and eradicating homelessness (Henwood, 2015). An example of such a way is to employ social workers as individuals or as organizations to provide an assessment register of homeless people. On the contrary, homelessness continues to be a social problem today. For example, in January 2016 the Economic Policy Institute published one of the most questionable findings that, on any given night, there are approximately 549,928 homeless people in the United States. The study also revealed that, among these people, only 68% are protected. Still controversial, the study indicates that, of these numbers, there are 22% children, 69% adults, 10% veterans and 35% chronically ill patients. On the other hand, the participation of social workers has significantly reduced the number of homeless people nationwide. For example, the number of homeless people has decreased by nearly 15% since 2015 (Leginski, 2007) (see Figure 1). Most important is the way in which social workers have intervened to ensure affordable housing and adequate income, provision of social welfare services, prohibiting discrimination and advocating for reforms in existing policies that have been underlying the structural causes of the phenomenon of homeless. For example, from the year 2008; As the federal government began counting the homeless, social workers from the American Bar Association (ABA) took to street corners to help the government get a clear picture of the homelessness problem. Similar cases have been observed among individual volunteer social workers. An example of such individuals includes Van Cooten. What.