Joanna of IPHUSA – Homelessness is not a lack of housing, it is a lack of housing stability.
by Milena Rampoldi and Denise Nanni, ProMosaik. In the following,
our interview with Joanna of ICPHUSA
about homeless people in the USA and their problems. For ProMosaik, homeless
people are part of our society and have one and the same dignity as all human
beings have. So we have to struggle for their inclusion and against their
discrimination. Solving the problem of homelessness is a complex work we have
to manage all together. And exclusion is the wrong way to face this challenge.
our interview with Joanna of ICPHUSA
about homeless people in the USA and their problems. For ProMosaik, homeless
people are part of our society and have one and the same dignity as all human
beings have. So we have to struggle for their inclusion and against their
discrimination. Solving the problem of homelessness is a complex work we have
to manage all together. And exclusion is the wrong way to face this challenge.
What are the main problems that homeless people face within
society?
society?
Homelessness is a very complex issue. It is not a lack of housing,
it is a lack of housing stability. In the U.S. today, housing costs have
skyrocketed while wages, especially for jobs on the lower end of the scale have
not kept pace. But that only compounds the problems that families face. One in
four homeless families becomes homeless due to domestic violence. Many have
mental health or substance abuse issues, as well. Most don’t have enough
education or work experience to get jobs that would enable them to support
their families on a long-term basis without additional training.
it is a lack of housing stability. In the U.S. today, housing costs have
skyrocketed while wages, especially for jobs on the lower end of the scale have
not kept pace. But that only compounds the problems that families face. One in
four homeless families becomes homeless due to domestic violence. Many have
mental health or substance abuse issues, as well. Most don’t have enough
education or work experience to get jobs that would enable them to support
their families on a long-term basis without additional training.
According to your experience, what are the most common prejuduces
about homelessness that can negatively influence the process of
reintegration?
about homelessness that can negatively influence the process of
reintegration?
There is a perception that homelessness is a lack of housing, and
that if you put people into a home, you will solve the problem. Homelessness is
not a lack of housing, it is a lack of housing stability. In a minority of
cases, families have had a catastrophic set back such as a serious illness and
help finding an affordable home will, in fact, get them back on their feet. In
the majority of cases with homeless families, however, there are other
barriers. Those other barriers must be addressed in order to help the family
toward a stable situation.
that if you put people into a home, you will solve the problem. Homelessness is
not a lack of housing, it is a lack of housing stability. In a minority of
cases, families have had a catastrophic set back such as a serious illness and
help finding an affordable home will, in fact, get them back on their feet. In
the majority of cases with homeless families, however, there are other
barriers. Those other barriers must be addressed in order to help the family
toward a stable situation.
What are the most common risk factors, particularly for
youngsters?
youngsters?
Children are disproportionately impacted by homelessness. The
children are often moved to different schools in the middle of the school year,
without sufficient support, and it negatively affects their long-term
educational outcomes. We know from our research that the effects of
homelessness are felt by children far into the future, even after they have
regained stable homes. Often, they are put into a shelter or temporary housing
situation that is far from their schools and they have trouble traveling to
school, putting them at risk for chronic absenteeism. They do not have easy
access to the school health service. As teens, they are more likely to engage
in high risk behaviors, such as drugs or alcohol or having sex at very young
ages. They are more likely to experience violence from a dating partner. They
are more likely to drop out of high school. If they have special education
needs, they are less likely to obtain an early diagnosis and to access remedial
educational services early, when it is most effective.
children are often moved to different schools in the middle of the school year,
without sufficient support, and it negatively affects their long-term
educational outcomes. We know from our research that the effects of
homelessness are felt by children far into the future, even after they have
regained stable homes. Often, they are put into a shelter or temporary housing
situation that is far from their schools and they have trouble traveling to
school, putting them at risk for chronic absenteeism. They do not have easy
access to the school health service. As teens, they are more likely to engage
in high risk behaviors, such as drugs or alcohol or having sex at very young
ages. They are more likely to experience violence from a dating partner. They
are more likely to drop out of high school. If they have special education
needs, they are less likely to obtain an early diagnosis and to access remedial
educational services early, when it is most effective.
What are the trends about homelessness of the last years?
Family homelessness is increasing. In the U.S., there are more
than 1.3 million homeless public school children and it is estimated that there
are more than 600,000 additional children younger than five years of age. It
has been a growing number.
than 1.3 million homeless public school children and it is estimated that there
are more than 600,000 additional children younger than five years of age. It
has been a growing number.
I have seen that you provide materials in order to raise awareness
about this issue. How do you prepare these materials? Do you cooperate with any
kind of social institution?
about this issue. How do you prepare these materials? Do you cooperate with any
kind of social institution?
The Institute’s research materials are free to download from our
website. The material is pushed out to elected officials and policy makers,
homeless advocates and distributed at professional conferences.
website. The material is pushed out to elected officials and policy makers,
homeless advocates and distributed at professional conferences.
