Statistics prove that homelessness is a large systematic problem rather than an individual problem. Some methods in counting homeless people seek to minimize and deny the problem. After a foundation of what homeless life is like and examining statistics I am emotionally struck and determined to seek solutions. After beginning the book, Beside the Golden Door Policy, Politics, and the Homeless by James Wright, Beth Rubin, and Joel Devine, I am acquiring a better understanding of the issues, controversies, theories, social and demographic characteristics of the homeless, and methods of counting the homeless. I have uncovered several important points that contribute to a better understanding of homelessness. In addition, I am synthesizing similar ideas and data between this course, Hunger and Homelessness and Public Policy Analysis.
Beside the Golden Door is a combination of the authors own experience and social science and advocacy literature. In order to tackle homelessness a comprehensive understanding is required. This involves debunking myths. For instance uncovering facts show, “half or more of the homeless people do abuse alcohol and other drugs, but the other half do not” (7). Understanding the homeless population leads to developing effective solutions. Cost benefit analysis and a rationalism approach can be applied by policymakers. The “quality of urban life would improve if there were fewer homeless people” (9) because more individuals could contribute economically to markets and rely less on governmental assistance.
Understanding the homeless population can lead to coming up with effective solutions. The average age of homeless adults is in the mid-thirties due to the large non-means tested spending on Medicare and social security for the retired population. The welfare system is flawed because the people who need the assistance the most are the least likely to receive it. In the course Public Policy Analysis our most recent topic was welfare. The 1996 Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) has many failures, with the primary failure of a sharp decline in TANF caseloads. The TANF to poverty ratio fell in all states, but the impact differed in regions. Other flaws in TANF include block grants, contingency funds, restrictive eligibility policies, and short time limits.
A leading obstacle is the loss of low income housing, “the solution to homelessness is less poverty and more low-income housing, everything else treats the symptoms of homelessness but not the root causes” (29). Eradicating homelessness and helping those who are homeless conflicts with the underlying principles of the U.S. economy. A comprehensive approach to understanding homelessness is necessary. My hope is as a society we can move beyond hiding the problem and toward solving the problem.
*To purchase Beside the Golden Door: http://www.amazon.com/Beside-Golden-Door-Politics-Institutions/dp/0202306143/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1392499074&sr=8-
* To read more about TANF
2&keywords=Beside+the+golden+door TANF Center on Budgetand Policy Priorities