Vulnerable Populations Homeless Persons

Vulnerable Populations Homeless Persons

Vulnerable Populations Homeless Persons

Today, approximately 671,859 people experience homelessness on any given night in the United States. An estimated 1.5 million people use the shelter system in the course of a year.

These numbers include people of all backgrounds. Families with children, single adults, elderly individuals, veterans, and youth all experience homelessness. This national problem exists in rural areas, small towns, suburban neighborhoods, and big cities (Homeless Resource Center 2010).

Homelessness has always been around in America even in the Colonial Period (1640-1820) but it was not considered to be a serious problem. According to Oxford University Press (2002), homelessness was caused to, effects of war, fluctuations in trade, poor crop years, immigration of poor people, no safety net beyond family and neighbors. The homeless are categorized into two groups of homeless people (Chronically Homeless and Transitional Homeless persons). Also according to Introduction to Human Services second edition The types of people who have experienced homelessness and the reasons for their misfortune have changed significantly throughout the years. Prior to the Middle Ages (from about the 14th to the 17th century), the early church was responsible for the care of the poor, including those without homes. The monasteries embraced this responsibility as one given by God. Thus, at least the "deserving poor" (those who were poor through no fault of their own) were considered blessed, and it was considered a blessing to care for them.

The first category is what is considered as Transitional homeless. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness; an estimated 63 percent of people who experience homelessness at any given point in time are individuals - or single adults. Approximately 9 percent enter nearly five times a year and stay nearly two months each time. This group utilizes 18 percent of the system's resources. The remaining 10 percent enter the system just over twice a year and spend an average of 280 days per stay virtually living in the system and utilizing nearly half its resources. Many of these individuals are defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as chronically homeless.

Vulnerable populations such as those whom are homeless are at higher risk of developing health problems due to their limited social cultural standing, also due to their inadequate access to economic resources. Also due to their individual personality also ones age and gender. A study performed by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty approximates that between 2.3 and 3.5 million persons experienced being homeless in the United States at one point in their lives. The Unites States Department of Housing and Urban Development also estimates 671,888 individuals have experienced being homeless. It is believed that the number of homeless people is only an estimate and can never truly be measured but one can say for a fact that the homeless population deals with many health issues. For example living in the streets exposes one to the elements e.g. extreme in weather conditions. Most of the homeless are not protected from such elements as rain, or snow. They mostly have clothing that does not fit properly especially shoes which leads to poor circulation. They are also subjected to the lack of personal hygiene products or access to bathing facilities or clean clothing. This can lead to several medical conditions. Foot problems such as cellulites (fatty deposits beneath the skin that give a lumpy or grainy appearance to the skin surface, especially on the thighs or buttocks), are a most common due to them always being on their feet. Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (UTI) is also common with the homeless due to overcrowded shelters or food pantries. Also due to the not being able to get adequate rest can lead