Homelessness, condition of people who lack regular legal access to housing.
Homelessness has been recognized as a significant social problem in the United
States since the early 1980s, when an increase in the number of homeless people
was caused by a weak economy and cuts in federal aid for housing and income
assistance. Other periods of increased homelessness also have occurred many times
in history, including during the colonial era. Most other industrialized societies also
have experienced increases in homeless populations in recent decades.
The …showed first 85 words of 558 total…
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…showed last 85 words of 558 total…this was especially true in the inner city areas where
most homeless people live. At the same time, the supply of low-income housing
declined in some cities. Waiting lists for public housing are often many years long
and increases in welfare payments have not kept pace with inflation. Among other
factors implicated in the trend are changes in the treatment of the chronically
mentally ill, drug use, the inability of some families to support dependent adult
members, and an increasing rate of violence against women.
