Introduction
The writing of this paper is motivated by the need to solve the urgent problem of homelessness in our cherished city of Flint. Homelessness is a complicated issue that has an impact on the entire community in addition to the individuals who are homeless (Caring Works). In order to ease this situation and help people in need, we must act immediately.
Statistics on Homelessness
There are almost 100,000 individuals living in Flint (precisely 81,252 residents), and tragically, a sizable percentage of them do not have access to safe housing (Boucher). According to the latest data released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 4.000 people in Flint were homeless, and 11% of the population lacked shelter, either living on the streets or in unsuitable locations (“Stopping Homelessness”). These are worrying figures that need to be taken seriously.
Current Policies and Barriers
Although initiatives are in place to combat homelessness in our area, their efficacy is hampered by several issues. The scarcity of reasonably priced housing alternatives is one such barrier (Fowler et al. 470). Due to high rental costs and limited availability, many people who are homeless have difficulty finding stable homes (Beers et al. 50). Consequently, we must make investments to build more reasonably priced housing units, especially for homeless individuals.
Proposed Interventions
Furthermore, mental health problems make it harder for people to escape the cycle of homelessness and frequently contribute to it. I thus suggest that the homeless shelters in our community implement a thorough mental health program (Jiménez-Lérida et al. 16). For people dealing with mental health issues, this program would give them access to counseling sessions, psychiatric assessments, and essential drugs. Moreover, drug misuse is a common problem among Flint’s homeless population (Starr).
I propose creating a dedicated outreach team made up of social workers and addiction counselors who can interact with people who are homeless or residing in makeshift shelters in order to effectively address this issue (“Homeless Outreach Team”). This group would provide continuing counseling, referrals to treatment centers, detoxification programs, and other support services.
Collaboration between local government agencies and non-profit groups is crucial for the success of these ideas. We can establish an ongoing network of support for our neighborhood by collaborating closely with groups like Habitat for Humanity or nearby churches eager to provide supplies and labor (Jang et al. 280). Why is this relevant? It is important because everyone should be treated with respect and decency regardless of housing circumstances. People who are homeless lose their fundamental human rights and are subjected to unsafe housing, health hazards, and social isolation (Grundy and Owadally 160). By taking aggressive measures to address this problem, we are enhancing the lives of people who are homeless as well as creating a more welcoming and caring community for all locals.
Conclusion
I do not doubt these suggested measures would benefit the ongoing battle against homelessness. There is hope for improvement because similar projects have been effective in other American communities. We can significantly improve the lives of our fellow citizens by funding programs for mental health, drug misuse outreach teams, and inexpensive housing alternatives, as well as by encouraging cooperation between governmental and non-profit organizations. The local government should give these suggestions careful thought and act swiftly to end Flint’s homelessness. We can get through this crisis by uniting as a community and putting everyone’s welfare first, as we have done throughout our city’s history.
Works Cited
Beers, Lorraine, et al. “Increasing Influenza Vaccination Acceptance in the Homeless.” The Nurse Practitioner, vol. 44, no. 11. 2019, pp. 48–54. Web.
Boucher, Dave. “Flint Population Drops Almost 21%, Hits Lowest Mark in More than a Century.” Detroit Free Press, 2021. Web.
Caring Works. “The Community Impact on Homelessness.” CaringWorks, Inc., 2018. Web.
Fowler, Patrick J., et al. “Solving Homelessness from a Complex Systems Perspective: Insights for Prevention Responses.” Annual Review of Public Health, vol. 40, no. 1. 2019, pp. 465–86. Web.
Grundy, Quinn, and Tasneem Owadally. From a Criminal to a Human-Rights Issue: Re-Imagining Policy Solutions to Homelessness. 2023, p. 155-218. Web.
“Homeless Outreach Team.” Hsh.sfgov. Web.
Jang, HeeSoun, et al. “Homeless Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Revisiting Salamon’s Voluntary Failure Theory.” Nonprofit Policy Forum, vol. 14, no. 3, De Gruyter, 2023, pp. 279–308. Web.
Jiménez-Lérida, Cristina, et al. Attending to the Mental Health of People Who Are Homeless by Mobile Telephone Follow-Up: A Systematic Review. no. 12, 2023, pp. 1666–66. Web.
Starr, Stephen. “The US City That Shifted from Exemplar to Post-Industrial Ruin.” The Irish Times. 2019. Web.
“Stopping Homelessness.” Flint Genesee County Continuum of Care. Web.