Chronic homelessness can last a long time. Many homeless people who are unsheltered fall in this category. The length of time on the streets is primarily determined by circumstance. Some people have an advantage over others. They have a car, a little money, or periodic help. But the people who have close to nothing make up the majority of this group. To understand their plight and challenges, take a look at some of the core problems.
Poverty and Long-Term Unemployment
Poverty is one of the core reasons for chronic homelessness. Virtually every person who has been on the streets for a long time has problems deep-rooted in money. A lack of money. Making money is the answer, but when a person is homeless, the solution is not cut-and-dried. There are other factors to consider.
Long-term unemployment plays a large role in poverty. There are two groups of people that this does not apply to. They are the people with mental illness and the substance abusers. Due to their issues, they are unable to hold down a job. But for most of the chronically homeless, it all starts with long-term unemployment. Lack of work and poverty are closely linked because one gives rise to the other. And when both merge, they form a tight circle that is hard to break. However, if the following needs are met, the circle can be broken:
1. Temporary Long-Term Housing - It takes time--a lot of time--to rebuild a life where the landscape has been totally stripped. When a person is trying to make a huge change from being chronically homeless to being an employee, it is a long haul. He or she needs help. And the initial help that he or she needs is long-term housing. Nourishing food, a bed, a place to maintain personal hygiene, and a place to rest and get ready for the next day's work are paramount to a successful transition. Without housing and basic necessities, a job is at risk.
2. Companies that Hire the Homeless - Looking for a job to resolve the poverty issue is an arduous endeavor. Most chronically homeless people do not have much to work with. Many of them do not have a cell phone, an address, reliable transportation, and a resume with references. Due to some of these reasons, many companies will not hire them. But there are companies that do and finding them is not an easy task.
Homeless Assistance Programs and Caught in the Gap
Another core reason for chronic homelessness is a lack of different programs to help meet the special needs of the homeless. To my knowledge, in the state of California, most homeless assistance programs are for families with minor children. Other programs are set up to take in only adult males, only adult females, or only people who have escaped domestic abuse. A few programs are set up for individuals, but there is often a long waiting list.
For the chronically homeless who have special circumstances and needs and do not meet the criteria, there are hardly any programs available. They might be a family with a member who has a health issue and requires special accommodation. They might be a family with young adults, and the young adults have not been able to find work. Whatever the case may be, this small group falls into what I call the program gap: a hole or empty space between programs.
Lack of a Sufficient Support System
One of the saddest facts of being homeless is when there is little to no family support. Lack of sufficient support is the last core reason for chronic homelessness. There are a multitude of reasons why this happens, but the following are common causes for inadequate support or no support at all:
1. Short-Term Support - Chronic homelessness requires long-term assistance. Many families cannot provide assistance for the long-term, and since the recession of 2007, it is even harder for them to help a member in dire need. But some families can provide short-term help with housing, basic needs, and a little financial support.
2. Limited Short-Term Support - Some families can also provide short-term support, but it is limited. They can provide either housing or a little financial support.
3. Inability to Help - There are other families that want to help, but cannot provide any assistance because it would create serious problems and financial hardships. To provide any assistance would put them at risk for homelessness.
4. The More Common Reason - Unfortunately, the more common reason seems to be that some families refuse to help in any way because there is a breakdown in the family unit and/or a lack of close family ties.
There is an End to Chronic Homelessness
Chronic homelessness feels like an eternity. Problems seem so insurmountable that it looks like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and there is an end to chronic homelessness. Success comes to those who persist. With a positive attitude and continuous effort, there is no problem that is unsolvable or no situation that cannot be turned around.
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Poverty and Long-Term Unemployment
Poverty is one of the core reasons for chronic homelessness. Virtually every person who has been on the streets for a long time has problems deep-rooted in money. A lack of money. Making money is the answer, but when a person is homeless, the solution is not cut-and-dried. There are other factors to consider.
Long-term unemployment plays a large role in poverty. There are two groups of people that this does not apply to. They are the people with mental illness and the substance abusers. Due to their issues, they are unable to hold down a job. But for most of the chronically homeless, it all starts with long-term unemployment. Lack of work and poverty are closely linked because one gives rise to the other. And when both merge, they form a tight circle that is hard to break. However, if the following needs are met, the circle can be broken:1. Temporary Long-Term Housing - It takes time--a lot of time--to rebuild a life where the landscape has been totally stripped. When a person is trying to make a huge change from being chronically homeless to being an employee, it is a long haul. He or she needs help. And the initial help that he or she needs is long-term housing. Nourishing food, a bed, a place to maintain personal hygiene, and a place to rest and get ready for the next day's work are paramount to a successful transition. Without housing and basic necessities, a job is at risk.
2. Companies that Hire the Homeless - Looking for a job to resolve the poverty issue is an arduous endeavor. Most chronically homeless people do not have much to work with. Many of them do not have a cell phone, an address, reliable transportation, and a resume with references. Due to some of these reasons, many companies will not hire them. But there are companies that do and finding them is not an easy task.Homeless Assistance Programs and Caught in the Gap
Another core reason for chronic homelessness is a lack of different programs to help meet the special needs of the homeless. To my knowledge, in the state of California, most homeless assistance programs are for families with minor children. Other programs are set up to take in only adult males, only adult females, or only people who have escaped domestic abuse. A few programs are set up for individuals, but there is often a long waiting list.
For the chronically homeless who have special circumstances and needs and do not meet the criteria, there are hardly any programs available. They might be a family with a member who has a health issue and requires special accommodation. They might be a family with young adults, and the young adults have not been able to find work. Whatever the case may be, this small group falls into what I call the program gap: a hole or empty space between programs.
Lack of a Sufficient Support System
One of the saddest facts of being homeless is when there is little to no family support. Lack of sufficient support is the last core reason for chronic homelessness. There are a multitude of reasons why this happens, but the following are common causes for inadequate support or no support at all:
1. Short-Term Support - Chronic homelessness requires long-term assistance. Many families cannot provide assistance for the long-term, and since the recession of 2007, it is even harder for them to help a member in dire need. But some families can provide short-term help with housing, basic needs, and a little financial support.
2. Limited Short-Term Support - Some families can also provide short-term support, but it is limited. They can provide either housing or a little financial support.
3. Inability to Help - There are other families that want to help, but cannot provide any assistance because it would create serious problems and financial hardships. To provide any assistance would put them at risk for homelessness.
4. The More Common Reason - Unfortunately, the more common reason seems to be that some families refuse to help in any way because there is a breakdown in the family unit and/or a lack of close family ties.
There is an End to Chronic Homelessness
Chronic homelessness feels like an eternity. Problems seem so insurmountable that it looks like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and there is an end to chronic homelessness. Success comes to those who persist. With a positive attitude and continuous effort, there is no problem that is unsolvable or no situation that cannot be turned around.
