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Poverty and homelessness in America have been an underlying issue for the majority of the nation’s existence. Costs of living drastically increasing year by year, making purchasing affordable housing and maintaining housing more difficult have amplified these problems. It’s hard to ignore the fact that the homeless population exists considering its widespread nature. However, when the homeless and the coronavirus in America meet, it is a completely different story.
However, during crises like these, many of our concerns revolve mostly around the safety of ours and our families. Because of this, many of us tend to disregard and neglect the overwhelming size of the homeless population in the United States.
Daily Issues the Homeless Face
Aside from scavenging for food, the majority of struggles the homeless face stem from various health concerns. Some of these health concerns include conditions such as HIV/AIDS, lung disease, mental health issues, substance abuse, and infections.
Limited healthcare access, violence, stress, unsanitary living conditions, and exposure to extreme weather are some of many factors that can cause the health conditions mentioned above.
Services Offered to the American Homeless Population
To combat the issues that the homeless face, organizations such as the National Alliance to End Homelessness and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development provide homeless individuals with medical help, housing stability, suicide prevention resources, and drug abuse assistance.
Alongside larger organizations that support the homeless population, volunteers who run smaller local organizations within towns, cities, and neighborhoods collect supplies and food and donate them to the homeless. Local volunteers typically run these smaller non-profit organizations who work to support these organizations and the homeless individuals in their respective areas.
Struggles Amplified for the Homeless During the Coronavirus
COVID-19’s ability to spread as quickly as it does and even quicker is catered to by social activities made between humans. It has been concluded by the CDC and the WHO that the best way to prevent the spread of the virus is through social distancing and self-quarantining to reduce its ability to be transmitted and to reduce its population.
When considering these protocols, it can be very difficult to conduct them, especially among homeless individuals, as self-quarantining requires that you have a home. Additionally, the vast majority of homeless shelters lacking proper sanitation makes it even more difficult to prevent the virus from spreading among homeless individuals. Shelters that supply food and places to stay are typically crowded and are limited on resources and workers that support the homeless individuals, making it more difficult to supply the homeless with essential items for protection against the virus, such as masks, soap, and clean, running water.
What You Can do To Help the Homeless During the Coronavirus
A few things you can do to help fight homelessness and support individuals struggling against homelessness especially during this COVID-19 pandemic are donating to various non-profit organizations that help supply resources such as food, water, clothing, and medical/hygiene supplies to homeless shelters and help get street-dwelling homeless individuals off of the streets as soon as possible.
Volunteering at homeless shelters and for organizations that fight homelessness is a great option, especially if one is looking to gain volunteering hours or simply if one is passionate enough in fighting against homelessness to be volunteering. Volunteering in homeless shelters counteracts stress and anxiety as it benefits volunteers in their physical and mental health.
Finally, the best thing one can do to help fight against homelessness is to educate oneself on the struggles regarding homelessness and research the resources that homeless individuals are most in need of. Raising awareness is the best form of combating homelessness. As more people become aware, it is more likely that those same people will provide help to those in need.