HOMELESSNESS IN THE USA (Policy Brief)

Brief Rational Explanation

             Poverty has always been a social issue in the United States since the early 1600s (ICPH, 2014). In America, the issues of homelessness became relatively new discussion for the war on poverty in the 1980s (Chapter Delegate Assembly, 2003).  Before beginning the social work profession, I always had a passion helping the homeless (displace) individuals that I have come into contact with. When working for the Uniondale School District’s Central Registration office, I was assigned to work with the displaced (homeless) families to register their children for the school district. The policies that surround the homeless populations do not seem to be as effective and alleviating their problems. Over the years, the number of displaced families in America has been increasing because the economy is declining. As a social worker, I want to be able to assist the homeless individuals and/or families that have been affected the recessions. By describing the history of homeless policies, the student will be able to examine the current policy analysis, ethics, and human rights that have helped assist the social work professions with further recommendations. By working with local agency and federal government, social workers can assist the families that have become homeless through various programs.

References

APA Board of Directors. (2003) Policy Guide on Homelessness. Retrieved from https://www.planning.org/policy/guides/adopted/homelessness.htm

Institute for Children, Poverty, & Homelessness. (2014). History of poverty & homelessness in NYC. Retrieved from http://povertyhistory.org/timeline


The image below show how some low-income families can eventually become homeless.