13-03-2009, 07:06 PM
(This post was last modified: 13-03-2009, 07:31 PM by Peter Lemkin.)
In most places in the US homelessness is a crime and you can be arrested for it. Many are - or worse in some ways, just made to always move by the police - so a tent or even a box can't become 'home'. While there are a few homeless shelters, they are mainly only for women or women and children. Single men in many places are on year[s] long waiting lists and/or must wait until the weather gets very hot or very cold to enter. Possessions are not allowed beyond what is on your back and a very very small bag. Most are so horid and dangerous, people prefer the park, woods, whatever - and the risk of arrest or worse. About 5-10,000,000 are homeless [or semi-homeless] at any given moment in the 'richest' country on Earth. [depending on how you define it]. The 'official ' numbers are bad enough 3.5 million. Most homeless can not vote and are somtimes denied benefits poor homefull can get, as they can not PROVE they live in a certain county, city, state, etc. Shamefull and getting worse. The tolerance of tent cities and setting up car-camping areas is NEW since the economic collapse.
Familial composition
40% are families with children—the fastest growing segment.
41% are single males.
14% are single females.
5% are minors unaccompanied by adults.
39% of the total homeless population are children under the age of 18.
Ethnicity
49% are African American (compared to 11% of general population).
35% are Caucasian (under-represented compared to 75% of general population).
13% are Hispanic (compared to 10% of general population).
2% are Native American (compared to 1% of general population).
1% are Asian-American (under-represented compared to 4% of general population).
Health-concerns.
22% are considered to have serious mental illnesses, or are disabled.
30% have substance abuse problems.
3% report having HIV/AIDS.
26% report acute health problems other than HIV/AIDS such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, or sexually transmitted infections.
46% report chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or cancer.
55% report having no health insurance (compared to 16% of general population).
58% report having trouble getting enough food to eat.
Backgrounds.
23% are veterans (compared to 13% of general population).
25% were physically or sexually abused as children.
27% were in foster care or similar institutions as children.
21% were homeless at some point during their childhood.
54% were incarcerated at some point in their lives.
Education
38% have less than a High School diploma.
34% have a High School diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.).
28% have more than a High School education.
Employment
44% report having worked in the past week.
13% have regular jobs.
50% receive less than $300 per month as income.
Location.
71% reside in central cities.
21% are in suburbs.
9% are in rural areas.
Length of current homeless period
5% Less than one week
8% Greater than one week, less than one month
15% One to three months
11% Four to six months
15% Seven to twelve months
16% Thirteen to twenty four months
10% Twenty-five to sixty months
20% Five or more years
There are many working homeless. High-class homelessness is living in a car [illegal in most all places and will get you both arrested and sometimes your car confiscated]. Luxury homelessness is in a tent. In campgrounds the laws usually do NOT allow persons without homes to camp. In the mountains of Colorado and in forested areas many homeless squat old miners shacks etc. The Forest Service hunts for ones that are being lived in and tears them down.
Familial composition
40% are families with children—the fastest growing segment.
41% are single males.
14% are single females.
5% are minors unaccompanied by adults.
39% of the total homeless population are children under the age of 18.
Ethnicity
49% are African American (compared to 11% of general population).
35% are Caucasian (under-represented compared to 75% of general population).
13% are Hispanic (compared to 10% of general population).
2% are Native American (compared to 1% of general population).
1% are Asian-American (under-represented compared to 4% of general population).
Health-concerns.
22% are considered to have serious mental illnesses, or are disabled.
30% have substance abuse problems.
3% report having HIV/AIDS.
26% report acute health problems other than HIV/AIDS such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, or sexually transmitted infections.
46% report chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or cancer.
55% report having no health insurance (compared to 16% of general population).
58% report having trouble getting enough food to eat.
Backgrounds.
23% are veterans (compared to 13% of general population).
25% were physically or sexually abused as children.
27% were in foster care or similar institutions as children.
21% were homeless at some point during their childhood.
54% were incarcerated at some point in their lives.
Education
38% have less than a High School diploma.
34% have a High School diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.).
28% have more than a High School education.
Employment
44% report having worked in the past week.
13% have regular jobs.
50% receive less than $300 per month as income.
Location.
71% reside in central cities.
21% are in suburbs.
9% are in rural areas.
Length of current homeless period
5% Less than one week
8% Greater than one week, less than one month
15% One to three months
11% Four to six months
15% Seven to twelve months
16% Thirteen to twenty four months
10% Twenty-five to sixty months
20% Five or more years
There are many working homeless. High-class homelessness is living in a car [illegal in most all places and will get you both arrested and sometimes your car confiscated]. Luxury homelessness is in a tent. In campgrounds the laws usually do NOT allow persons without homes to camp. In the mountains of Colorado and in forested areas many homeless squat old miners shacks etc. The Forest Service hunts for ones that are being lived in and tears them down.