Summer Economics/ CS 2006

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Homelessness is found all over the world, and the homeless population grows continuously every day. According to a 1996 United Nations report, 500 million people were homeless or residing in low-quality housing and unsanitary conditions in 1995. (1) In 2005, the rough estimate of global homelessness was down to 100 million people due to the difficulty in measuring it. Also, over 1 billion are living in inadequate housing, which would lead to a huge increase in the homeless population once the housing is not suitable to live in. It is difficult to attain the correct amount of the homeless population because there is a limited or non-existent data provided for every country. Also, every country has their own definition on homelessness and their own approach to service provision, so through the differences, it’s much harder to combine or compare data accurately. (3)

Global homelessness is caused by the same factors that lead to local and national homelessness. These factors are poor decision-making, health problems, mental illness, drug or alcohol addiction, domestic violence, lack of education and job skills, environmental disasters, or just bad luck. There is also the usual problem of housing cots and their availability. Because of this, the number of households in a single home are increasing rapidly. (3) Other factors are caused by a breakdown in traditional family support systems, continued urbanization and the effects of structural adjustment programs and civil wars. (1) According to the Special Rapporteur on Right to Adequate Housing, “The driving forces behind homelessness are poverty; rapid economic globalization, which has worsened inequality in housing and land ownership; increasing tends towards privatization of public services and land speculation; lack of affordable housing options; unplanned and involuntary urban migration; large-scale development and infrastructure projects, including dams that have lead to mass displacement; and ongoing conflicts around the world”. (4) Due to the lack of nutrition, homeless children and adults suffer many medical problems. The children may suffer from chronic and recurring physical ailments, higher rates of fever and colds. They have a greater incidence of infections, fatigue, headaches and anemia. For the adults, their problems include, anemia, gastric ulcers, hypertension, acute and chronic diseases, diabetes and malnutrition. (1)

There are things being done to resolve this problem though. Organizations such as the Food Research and Action Center, America’s Second Harvest, the Center on Hunger and Poverty, Bread for the World, World Hunger Year, and the Food Industry Crusade Against Hunger coordinate with other food banks and food assistance programs and encourage policy makers to expand and protect programs aiding the homeless. (1) Also, there is something known as the Homeless World Cup. 48 countries and 500 homeless people look forward to this event each year. This year it will be held in Cape Town from September 23rd to the 30th. (5) Due to this event, many are greatly affected. 38% already have regular employment and 40% have improved their housing situation. For more percentages, click here. (6)