The Problem of Homelessness in Australia Essay Example

Homelessness is a major problem all around the world. There are many people who suffer constantly from not having enough money. You've probably seen these people holding up signs on the streets saying "I need money for food" or "Please help, I need money for my family.” Every homeless person has a reason on how they became homeless, whether it was unemployment, divorce, etc. homeless people have no other choice to sit on the street in their own filthy mess and wait for a chance to get a job or money, but it can be hard getting a job in the world today.  Imagine you're walking in a city, and among the crowded streets, you find a man. He isn't walking, simply sitting down out of sight. He doesn't make a sound. However, he sticks out the most out of anybody else. As you pass him you notice a cardboard sign with the writing asking for cash in the corner of your eye. Also to his unpleasant smell, dirty clothes, and messy hair it appears he's invisible. Oftentimes, people experience things in their life that often force them to lose everything and live out on the streets, or many times it is by choice that they live on the streets.

Us as people need to do something to help these people get off the streets or even just get them food and water. More than 116,000 people were estimated to be homeless in Australia and 58% were male, 21% were aged 25–34. Homeless people sometimes are living on the streets because they are unable to buy a house due to the houses being expensive. Australia house prices grew 7.5% in Mar 2021. Us as a community should all come together and try and get these people some accommodation. We all need some place to stay clean and have somewhere to sleep.  Homeless people are more prone to sickness because they aren't staying clean and are living close together which makes it easier for illness to spread around. By helping homeless people you're making a difference in someone's life. Homeless people are constantly on the move due to moving between temporary shelters, getting told they can't stay in one place or another. Some of the time this can make them depressed or become depressed. 

It can be hard for homeless people to get a job. First impressions are the most important thing when it comes to getting a job. Homeless people struggle with keeping clean and having clean clothes. In perspective if you had someone come in to get a job nicely dressed, clean and orginsided. Then a homeless person comes in looking for the exact same job but they are wearing dirty clothes and smell disgusting. With both of these options you are more likely to pick the nice clean person. 28,600 people experiencing homelessness in Australia are working full-time, that may seem like a big number but it is only 16.5 percent of all people who are homeless. People need to understand that homeless people don't have enough money to buy clothes, but they aren't going to get any money if they aren't working. They all have to start somewhere so you should never judge someone. 

Health care for homeless people is a major public health challenge. When compared to the general population, people who are homeless experience higher rates of adverse physical and mental health outcomes. Chronic disease severity, respiratory conditions, rates of mental health illnesses and substance use are all often greater in homeless populations than the general population. Homelessness is also associated with a high risk of suicide attempts. Homeless people are more likely to suffer injuries and medical problems from their lifestyle on the street, which includes poor nutrition, exposure to the severe elements of weather, and a higher exposure to violence. Since they are homeless they sometimes have to share their resources with their family or other individuals living around them. Many people have addictions which lead to health issues, such as drinking alcohol, sniffing glue, injecting heroin/ doing drugs, and gambling. Sometimes they had to share dirty needles. Eleven percent of them get drunk at least three times a week. Poor nutrition can contribute to their health issues. They tend to go hungry twice as often as housed children because they don’t have the resources to purchase food. Some homeless people have to go to hotels, restaurants and ask for the leftover food  there.  Poor nutrition increases their rate of stunted growth and anemia. Last year 424 people experiencing homelessness died on Australia's streets over the past 12 months. The true number, however, is expected to be much higher in 2022. 

There is so much we can do to help homeless people. They need food, water and clean clothes. We can help people slowly get back on their feet. Homeless people can't do it by themselves. We as a community need to help them start their new lives. Homelessness doesn't just have an effect on physical health it also has a big effect on mental health. If we don't help them then no one will a homelessness will become a bigger problem.