Homelessness in the United States Out of Control: A Wake-up Call for a National Housing Policy to End Homelessness
In the decade of the prosperous 1990’s, the United States’ economy outpaced the world in growth, productivity, and general well being. Inflation remained at record lows, and unemployment was, for most Americans, practically nonexistent.
Amid all this prosperity, one segment of our society continued to be left behind: the homeless. A survey of 27 major cities by The United States Conference of Mayors reveals that fact all too clearly.
Homelessness in the United States continues to grow alarmingly. Even with a wide array of time-limited services, shelters are not stemming the tide. The answer is a bold, massive, policy recommitment by federal and state governments to increase the steadily shrinking supply of low-income housing and to provide necessary support services. The policy remedy called for is for every family to have an entitlement to safe, sanitary, accessible, affordable housing and support services needed to stabilize and to develop.
Homelessness continues to be a national disgrace. Through enlightened national policy, it is both preventable and remediable.