Project Space

The face of poverty in America has changed drastically. No longer do only see people of color or individuals with drug problems, struggling to survive. You know see the faces of hard working families and individuals who attain degrees. Since the recession; many people in our country have had to make economic changes in their daily life, but the majority of the middle class took a turn for the worse.  Parents were laid off and couldn’t find jobs that paid enough or couldn’t find a job at all; thus losing their housing and not being able to fully care for their children. Children living in these conditions are now worried about adults problems, not enjoying being a child. Their study habits decrease because they are often hungry and can’t focus or depressed, blaming their self for why their parents are struggling to make it. Some children even drop out to go work and help take care of their families. People who had PhD are now homeless living in shelters and their own cars. Stability no longer exist in the middle class, they are now the new face of poverty.

Living conditions of people living in poverty vary. Some people turn to family members or close friends for a place to live; also known as “doubling up”. “… As desperate families move in with friends and relatives, increased nearly 12 percent between 2008 and 2010, according to Census Bureau data. Now, over 13 percent of all U.S. homes contain more than one family, the highest proportion since at least 1968” (Alden, 1). Parents and children have to share one room, meaning no privacy or quite time. There’s also no sense of comfort because they are visitors of someone else’s household having to constantly try and not be a burden. Another option is going to a shelter. Shelters are usually dirty and carry bacteria; leaving you vulnerable to becoming ill easily. Shelters are usually always in high demand and run on a at risk basis. This means, if your family or yourself appear to be more stable on paper, you will be put on the back burner for others who are at need. For homeless individuals who are by their self, finding a shelter to stay at is even more of a hassle. Most shelters are geared toward families or people on drugs or are not mentality stable. Transitioning from a regular life to being homeless is a huge gap; many people become depressed or even angry. The demand for help is so high, there’s no possible way for everyone to receive help. Parents see drastic changes in their children behavior, "He worries," Julie Rotundo said. "He's afraid to ask me for things. He's afraid to tell me that there's a school event that we're going to miss. And I don't know what to do. I'm sorry. It's tough. Just imagine" (Cobiella). Children become ashamed and embarrassed.

Homelessness has serious negative social implications. It includes plain human distress and symbolizes a hopeless social potential. Homelessness is expensive for our health and social service system. More and more families will continue to get on welfare, because they need the small amount of aid from the government they can get. These limited resources should be targeted for more positive purposes. Homelessness effects neighborhoods all over the country, and negatively impacts the quality of life of all citizens. People don’t want to live, nor do they feel safe, in a neighborhood where people are living on the streets or begging for money. Being homeless is very stressful and leads to severe emotional distress. Homeless people have to worry about where they will sleep every night, and if they have a temporary place to sleep, they are afraid of losing it. Children worry about losing friends and their personal belongings, and they fear that they will be seen as different to the other children at their school. They also worry about their families. Their parents share their stress and tension with them. You are also worried about your physical safety; especially if living in a shelter where violence is common. Homeless children also experience stress through constant change, and these changes build as time goes on.

Being homeless affects every individual differently. Some people feel alone in the world with no support. The don’t know what will be their next move, so they take one day at a time, and try to be thankful for the little bit of things in life they have. On the other hand, other homeless people are angry and out raged. They are upset because they lost their job due to our horrible economy; they couldn’t have prevented themselves from being homeless and blame the government for provding help for them. In the end, homeless people try to stay hopeful, have faith, and be positive. They want to be seen as regualer people again. Just as they were when they had jobs, cars, houses, clean clothes, and guaranteed meals. In society we often automatically write off anyone who is homeless as