The Homeless Population

The homeless population is growing with astonishing numbers climbing to the highest we have seen yet. Cities are building shelters as fast as they can the homeless keep pouring out of them again. It is sad to say that the biggest and fastest growing part of the homeless population is families. The typical homeless family is a single mother in her 20's with 2 children under 6, and the average age of a homeless person in the United States is 9. Homeless children are at a greater risk for not graduating, and are more likely to drop out. From bouncing back and forth from school because their families continue to move from place to place. Major factors that contribute to homelessness are poverty, unequal housing, inequality in the labor market, family disruption and health issues.

Children have it the worst being brought up in low income or even homeless families. Almost 1 in 4 (24%) under the age of three lived in poverty in 1995 (Doctor's for Global Health). They also c...