Question

Which factor contributed most to the rising number of homeless and poverty stricken people in america?

Answer 1

High rent prices, low vacancy rates, economic conditions, and insufficient jobs at a living wage are major factors contributing to the rising number of homeless individuals in America. Systemic issues, government policies, and lack of support services for mental health and addiction also contribute to homelessness.

Step-by-step explanation:

The rising number of homeless and poverty-stricken individuals in America is primarily due to a combination of complex factors. However, one of the leading contributors is the mismatch between housing affordability and incomes. High rent prices and low vacancy rates make it difficult for many to secure affordable housing. Additionally, systemic issues such as insufficient jobs that pay a living wage, economic conditions, and societal issues like mental illness, substance abuse, and lack of support services have also played significant roles in the increase of homelessness.

Solutions to the homelessness crisis have been elusive, largely because they require multifaceted approaches to address the root causes such as addiction, mental health, and deep-seated poverty. Government policies, both historical and current, play a substantial role in how homelessness is managed and prevented. For instance, drastic cuts to social programs and the deinstitutionalization policies in the 1980s led to a spike in the homeless population. This illustrates how policy decisions impact the availability of support for vulnerable populations.

Answer 2

There are a number of factors that have contributed to the increase in poverty and homelessness.

After the Great Depression the United States had a more welfare model to support the economy, this resulted in development of government housing schemes, investment in infrastructure etc which all created jobs.

After World War II as the United States became the dominant economic force in the world, a more capitalistic model was enforced. By the 1960s, poverty began to rise again.

Up until 1970s manufacturing jobs still provided a huge cushion for the poor but as the United States opened by, more and more jobs started to leave America. Most of the jobs that left were the low-paying jobs for low skilled workforce.

Loss of jobs, low welfare benefits, the failure of the private sector to build low-cost homes, numerous recessions as well as the recent Great Recession, have all contributed to the rise of poverty and homelessness.