The poorest and most unfortunate people make up the majority of the homeless society. Homelessness is most intensive in the more urban areas, mainly in cities with weak safety nets. For example, the Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress (DHUD, 2012) stated that “one out of five homeless people live in New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, and Las Vegas” (Enotes.com). Men from ages of 25 to 55 make up about half of Canada’s homeless population (47.5%), according to the Segaert study. The characteristics of this group include a greater occurrence of addictions, mental illness and disability, including brain injury and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). The younger population aged 16 to 24 makes up about 20% of the homeless, and women account for only 26.2% (The Homeless Hub). …show more content…
The reasons for homelessness are immense and complex — eviction, medical bills, mental illness, addiction, job loss, domestic violence, and so much more. Homelessness and poverty are inseparably connected. People in need are often unable to pay for housing, food, childcare, health care, and education. Difficult decisions must be made when limited resources cover just some of these necessities. Frequently it is housing, which assimilates a high extent of income that must be dropped. In the event that you are poor, you are basically an illness, accident, or paycheck away from having to live on the