As human beings, our main purpose is to make life easier for one another. However, this can be tough because each one of us has our interests and concerns.
Homelessness is a rampant problem in the U.S. About 500,000 Americans are homeless, and millions are about to be. We like to point out that this is a by-product of corruption and crime, but those aren’t the only cause. So there’s no real point in looking into the causes of homelessness. What’s better for us to do is to try and solve it.
The U.S. has various programs that try and solve homelessness. One of them is building homes for those who have none.
Building Homes
Building homes is the most direct solution for homelessness, but it can be the most inefficient. Estimates have shown that it would take at least $100 million to build homes for about 1,000 to 2,000 American people. That means spending over $50 trillion, that’s more than half the US GDP. It’s a constant concern, but some states have found a solution: making homes smaller.
The City of Ontario has built multiple small homes for those in poverty. These small homes require less funding and are better than the tent homes meant for the homeless. It might not be the kind of home that comes along with the American dream, but it’s home nonetheless, and the best part is that they own them.
Maintaining The Homes
Keeping these homes maintained can be a huge and costly problem. Thankfully, some interior painting service companies are willing to help out. Some of these companies offer yearly maintenance on these homes to ensure that they are in top-notch condition. Another common maintenance problem is plumbing.
Plumbing can cause floods in a particular region in the U.S., especially if many homes have plumbing issues within the area. This can quickly ruin these houses and start homelessness within the area once again. Better sewage systems are built inside these homes to avoid flooding.
Maintaining these homes is important so that homelessness can be alleviated in the country. However, many experts believe that it’s better that they don’t become homeless in the first place. This means eradicating poverty in the U.S.
Poverty in the US
The number of Americans in poverty in the U.S. is much larger than homeless individuals. It’s estimated that more than 30 million Americans are in poverty, and more are at risk of being homeless. Poverty can be quite problematic because although they don’t immediately cause homelessness, it can lead to many societal problems.
If we are to solve homelessness in the U.S., we have to strike at poverty. This means better opportunities among Americans and getting rid of debts. One good program enacted by the government is the Affordable Care Act.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA)
One of the main reasons why Americans reach the poverty line is because of expensive medical bills. It’s also the main reason why Americans are in debt. Thankfully, the ACA is here to help those who are in dire need of medical help.
The ACA can help reduce medical bills by 70%. It’s also a good way to find a better payment option for those who can’t afford it. There have been various troubles in enacting this act, but it has already saved more than a million American lives. It has also prevented poverty from increasing so much in the states.
Low Employment Rate
Another way that the government is combating poverty is through a low employment rate. Throughout the years, the employment rate in the US has been in a steady decline. However, because of the pandemic, the employment rate once again skyrocketed. But because of various initiatives done by the government to protect small businesses, the economy is again recovering, and the employment rate comes along with it.
Home Loans
What’s a better way to solve the homelessness problem than giving those in the low socioeconomic level a chance to purchase their own home with zero risk. Various government entities and non-profit organizations are doing this right now, and it has helped combat homelessness and poverty.
For example, the Veteran’s Association (VA) in the U.S. gives veterans the chance to purchase their own homes with very little interest and no down payment. The Federal Housing Administration (FDA) is also helping people secure the home of their dreams despite the increase in home prices. These entities are giving people a chance at having their own homes and keeping them.
Homelessness and poverty are two problems that are considerably hard to solve. However, as we take it one step at a time, there will come a day when all Americans have a home.
