Roughly 550,000 American people were reported to be suffering from homelessness, according to statistics from 2017 provided by The National Alliance to End Homelessness. This translates to about 17 people per 10,000 without a place to go on any given night.
The basic human need for shelter, food, and mental stability continues to forge on in times of global crisis. The decline of people walking through the streets of densely populated areas has made it even more difficult for the homeless to accrue food or money. It has been especially difficult for those without a home to adapt to the quick and recent drastic changes in our society. The current state of our economy and the general mindset of the public presents challenges for the homeless population that those experiencing financial and food security do not have to face.
As shelters, doctor’s offices, libraries, restaurants, and other places of the public gathering are shut down to prevent the spread of the illness; the homeless population is left with nowhere to turn. During this time, being in a state of homelessness makes one especially susceptible to becoming infected. The absence of a stable environment results in difficulty in social distance, maintain hygiene and take the correct precautions to keep oneself safe and healthy.
The lack of resources available poses several threats to the homeless on top of a higher risk of becoming infected. “I could tell you right now that unless you got a serious felony charge, you’re not going to jail… The police… they’re not pulling people over. And when they do, they don’t want you nowhere near them,” stated Rocky, 65. Due to speculation of law enforcement responding more leniently to offenses, Rocky expressed concern regarding an increase in crime.
Possible lockdowns and travel restrictions create more obstacles for the homeless population. Shawn, who has been experiencing homelessness for the last three years and is now occupying a storage unit, verbalized his fears in terms of not being able to travel freely and how the pandemic might affect society. “The long term effects are going to be very interesting. I think there are certain aspects of our society that are too dependent on capitalism,” stated Shawn.
The term “homeless” is often accompanied by negative connotations and is not synonymous with being unhygienic or unmotivated. An individual can be sprung into homelessness for a range of reasons, including a recent release from prison, a sudden job loss, struggles with addiction, or an unhealthy relationship. Homelessness is also not strictly exclusive to those physically living on the streets. Still, it can extend to individuals occupying abandoned spaces, storage units, halfway houses, shelters, hostels, hotel rooms, cars, tents, or even couch surfing. However, despite these difficult times, there is still assistance being offered. “If you are homeless now, emergency assistance programs may help with health care, food, and temporary, transitional, or permanent housing. If you are not homeless yet, it may be possible to avoid becoming homeless by finding out about prevention or emergency assistance programs in your area. Often these programs can help in paying rent, utilities, or bills,” according to the National Coalition for the Homeless.
