accommodated by crowding of existing houses rather than new construction developments. Existing houses are often extended or divided illegally so that they can be rented to migrants and used by extended families (Genemo, 2012). Over the years, urban sprawl has directly contributed to the degradation and decline of natural environment resources. It also reduces farm land and productivity in city leading to social loss and open spaces (Haregewin, 2005). In addition, urban sprawl leads to regional…
In 1949, as low as six people were found sleeping in the streets of London, the rise of homelessness started to rise in the mid 60’s. As the three leading campaign groups Crisis, Shelter and Centre-point were formed in the 60’s and the ‘housing homeless people act’ came in 1977. By the 1980s and into the early 1990s, however, homelessness was again on the rise. As things such house-price inflation, rising unemployment, a more general increase in the number of people with drink, drug and mental…
“These people should just get a job, maybe then they will be able to afford housing.” In reality, that is not the case, the cost of living and the wages that families and individuals get paid are not in agreement and it is even more difficult when these families are being paid minimum wage. Rent is getting more expensive, which makes it more difficult for families and individuals to make ends meet. Not being able to pay housing is affecting many people everywhere from…
The Epidemic of Homelessness in America Imagine the limitations of providing adequate housing for you, and your family while living paycheck to paycheck. Where a sick day, or the cut back of hours at work could leave you with the inability to pay rent. Unfortunately, this is a hardship that millions of Americans who live below the poverty line face on a daily basis. Now, imagine someone suffering with mental illness, or drug addiction on their own, who are obviously in desperate need for the…
The Life and Works of Lorraine Hansberry Alveda King once stated, “Racism oppresses its victims, but also binds the oppressors, who sear their consciences with more and more lies until they become prisoners of those lies. They cannot face the truth of human equality because it reveals the horror of the injustices they commit” (Brainy Quotes). In Lorraine Hansberry’s play, A Raisin in the Sun, the Younger family lives in South Side Chicago and faces racial discrimination. The entire family…
United States government has put in place some funding but it is not enough. The Canadian government has put in place a plan that will spend $119 million each year for five years. This plan will invest in homeless individuals pushing the choice of “housing first” according to the stars…
Lack of affordable and quality housing is an important contributing factor of health issues and a major public health concern. A study on housing and health has shown that poor housing conditions are associated with several health conditions such as asthma, lead poisoning, and mental health (Krieger & Higgins, 2002). In the United States, 2 million people visit the emergency room for asthma, 1 million children have lead levels high enough to affect their intelligence, and behavior.…
The City of Bend has great need for successful affordable housings programs. According to the 2014 Annual Renters Survey, the city has a vacancy rate of .6 percent, compared to a national vacancy rate of 4.1 percent. Similarly, housing inventory, as defined by number of listings available divided by closed listings per month, only stands at 2 months for homes valued $250,000 of less. This significant demand coupled with constrained supply has led to median house prices of $321,500, or percent…
The legal process of gentrification is potentially one of the more easily argued cases, especially in a country that prides itself on its free market. Using 1520 Sedgwick as an example as well I will compare how the ideals of a free market economy would effect it with the realities of the situation. First of all, if the US was a true free market economy 1520 Sedgwick would never have been enrolled in the Mitchell-Lama program because such a system wouldn’t exist unless the government owned the…
Jordan Flaherty once said “Housing is a human right. There can be no fairness or justice in a society in which some live in homelessness, or in the shadow of that risk, while others cannot even imagine it.” It is because I agree with John Flaherty in the position regarding housing, that I feel compelled to affirm today’s resolution. Resolved: The United States ought to guarantee the right to housing. For clarification of today’s round, I offer the following definitions: Word: Guarantee…