unemployment has many other affects. According to “Why are people Homeless,” wages are decreasing and there are less manufacturing jobs open and there is an increase in non-standard work. Declining wages affected many people and still does, and it forces people to move out of their homes. The people who have no jobs can’t take care of their family and then aren’t able to get health care, buy food, or even continue to pay rent. According to online sources, some races and ethnicities have a higher rate of homeless people than others, especially in New York. Studies show that two groups in particular make up the majority of the homeless group. 53% of New York’s homeless residents consist of African Americans and 32% are Latinos. Studies also show that children under the age of 18 accounted for 39% of the homeless population; 42% of these children were under the age of five. In 2004, 25% of homeless people were between the ages of 25 to 34.
This also shows that homeless families aren’t the only ones who have shown an increase in numbers, but so have children. If there is a way to decrease the number of homeless people, it would not only help that person, but the whole country. The more people get back on their feet, the better the economy will be. There should be more help to those who are homeless or at risk of becoming one by raising minimum wages instead of housing prices. If people work together to help the homeless, it could help change someone’s life. According to Edward Everett Hale “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something I can do.”
7
By: Iqra Tariq