Prior to the start of spring break, the class was discussing our personal beliefs about homelessness, what we have learned, how we view the issue, etc. One issue we discussed that truly stuck out to me was how we (as people) should manage the homelessness issue properly. There is no single answer and there probably will never be one. Each individual interprets the issue differently at hand. Some may think increased welfare programs could help decrease the rate of homelessness and others may firmly believe more housing could end the crisis. The key to ending homelessness is impossible, but the second every citizen realizes they must acknowledge and address the issue is the moment when change can actually happen.

A few students presented a book where the main belief towards ending homeless derives from availability of housing. The author put into context the idea that increased housing will be the most beneficial and influential strategy to ending homelessness. Housing will be the solution to homelessness was the main point. To some extent this may be true, but it brings safety, expenses, and social status concerns. If a city decides to build affordable housing for low income workers, will the area surrounding the building social status decrease? Along with these concerns, an issue that is found common among shelters is the available living spaces within the facility. If more affordable housing is built, there is no guarantee that the facility will be able to host every homeless individual.

Another point that caught my attention was the idea that shelters and programs are only assisting the problem, not adding any factual solutions. In some sense, I agree with this statement. Some shelters are only provides living spaces, which can be seen as assisting the homeless instead of  benefiting the individual on their journey to get off the streets. This topic is something I want to discuss more and learn more about.