Lack of Assistance Causes Increased Homeless Population in United States

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   In a real estate website that shows the cost of living and variations of costs of living in the United States, it is stated that, "The average rent in New York City is about $4,048 per month, which is 147% above the national average." That cost is just for housing, and not for all the other necessities such as food and water. Anyone that his struggling financially is not going be able to afford a roof over their head due to these high housing rates. The homeless population is very high in cities such as New York, and it can be seen why. The government needs to work on the root of the problem, inflation, but while they are doing that, more funds need allocated to the homeless to get them off the streets.

 
   Statista provides certain statistics on the homeless population, but especially the homeless veteran population. This site states, that in 2020 "there was an estimated 37,000 homeless veterans" and that "around 15,000 were living completely unsheltered." The men and woman who were in the service and some that even were in active combat are on the streets. Our country failed them after they had fought hard for us to be able to live in freedom. Living in freedom means having luxuries and even just a roof over your head that you can pay for and call your own. The same people that fought for us to live our comfortable lives are out on the street suffering the elements with no help! If the government provided some funds for the homeless, it could go to specific locations/ organizations such as to Veteran Affairs (VA) to have more resources to get the homeless of the streets. Even if funds were given to start up or build on to existing homeless shelters it would give the veteran homeless population and the homeless population overall a place to just have a roof over their heads until they can get back on their feet.

  In this crucial time, overall funding to the homeless needs to be increased and not cut. Congressional republicans are pushing the Trump administration to not cut funding for those who are severely in need of assistance. Politico states, " Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) and Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.), urged HUD Secretary Scott Turner to extend for an additional year all existing grants expiring in 2026 under the agency’s Continuum of Care program. The lawmakers said the “extension is essential to prevent service disruptions for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, sustain continuity of care for vulnerable populations, and allow HUD adequate time to implement its next generation of homelessness policy reforms.” If lawmakers see the need to speak up and agree with funding the homeless then so should you. 

   Now, I know there is a heavy debate and opinion of individuals saying that the homeless did it to themselves and that they just need to get a job. Sometimes, it is not as easy as that. When you are left with no options, for example, veterans coming back and suffering with substance abuse or PTSD their main focus is just surviving. Finding food, water, and money is your soul worry in life because you are left to survive on nothing. There is barley time to look for a job, or the weather is so harshly cold without adequate clothing that you can't even move or get up to do anything. This is why the government needs to step up and supply funds and resources to the homeless population. Once these funds hit homeless shelters people can be more comfortable and go look for jobs, or funds can be allocated to new, or already existing programs such as ACE that take these homeless individuals and help them get base level jobs and job training so that they can have an income as well as provide extra hands to the work force. This gives many a chance and opportunity to move up in the world and benefit our communities through jobs such as cleaning the streets etc. 

  

 Don't just overlook the issue and leave our veterans and fellow American's out on the streets when they fought for our country's freedom and could be helping improve our workforce. Let's stand up with and to our lawmakers/government and allocate more funds to the homeless to make America better!