Homelessness in America is a profound problem. The definition of "homelessness" is not just someone who sleeps on the streets. Many are one-paycheck from homelessness. The rate of homeless people is continually on the rise. Being homeless is being without a permanent, adequate, and regular home. Homeless people may live in public or private shelters, institutions intended for people who are going to be institutionalized, or a public or private place not suitable for any human to dwell. Being homeless is often defined as someone living on the street. There is more to homelessness then just sleeping on a bench in a park. There are many causes to homelessness in our society. Personal problems, alcoholism, drug addiction, mental illness, and lack of job skills are all contributing factors to the rate of homelessness. The main reason is the economy. People become homeless because they lack economic resources to help them with financial problems. As the cost of housing rise, the national economy remains weak. Why are so many people in our society homeless, when the United States is considered to be the riches in the world? Statistics indicate that the gap between the rich and poor is becoming bigger. The rich are getting richer, while the poor are becoming poorer. According to a recent study, in every state in the United States, a person making minimum wage cannot afford to rent an apartment and eat at the same time. In fact, a minimum-wage worker would have to work 89 hours each week to afford a two-bedroom apartment at 30% of his or her income. Homelessness is a result of economic and social problems.
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My mother is a single parent and her one fear in life is to be homeless. It is a very real threat in many peoples lives. As you mentioned "many are one paycheck from homelessness. It is a sad thing that making minimun wage does not even get you a decent place to live.