Family Homelessness: Exploring the Unique Challenges Faced by Homeless Families.

The two most obvious needs that homeless families have are easy to identify: Enough nutritious food to eat and a place to inhabit. But there are also unique challenges that they face. Homeless families face limited access to reliable identification; healthcare; clean clothing; access to personal hygiene equipment; and physical safety. Most social programs and employment opportunities require adequate ID. To obtain a government ID, an applicant must possess literacy skills, funds to pay for fees and other forms of identity. Homelessness can make it difficult to obtain an ID. Homeless families must also deal with inadequate healthcare because they don’t have proof of address for insurance purposes. Clean clothing is also a necessity that homeless families need. The homeless find it difficult to clean their clothes. They need clothes to protect them from the weather, to prepare for job interviews, and to maintain dignity. Homeless families have limited access to showers and haircuts. These are luxuries that most take for granted. Random violence and homelessness are linked, which leads to lower life expectancy. At times, homeless individuals are targeted because they lack a safe environment (Brown, 2021).

Homeless mothers are disproportionately higher to experience domestic violence, mental illness, and substance abuse than their housed counterparts. Domestic violence is significantly linked to family homelessness. Approximately 92% of homeless mothers have experienced severe physical and/or sexual abuse during their lifetimes. Women who experience domestic violence have high rates of depression, PTSD, and physical health problems. Poverty and domestic violence are positively correlated. Homeless mothers are more likely to abuse alcohol and drugs (“Effects of Homelessness…”, 2013).

Homeless children are more prone to health problems than housed children. Because of poor diet, homeless children are more likely to be obese. These children often have poor classroom performance. Food instability is particularly harmful for children. They have worse physical and mental health than housed children. Food instability among homeless mothers has negative health consequences for their newborn babies, leading to low birth weights and higher risks for some birth defects (“Effects of Homelessness…”, 2013).

Homeless children who are exposed to domestic violence experience long-lasting detrimental effects. These children are more likely to perpetuate violent acts, have mental health problems, attempt suicide, and abuse substances. Men who witnessed domestic violence as children are four times more likely to perpetrate violence against others. Females who experienced physical or sexual abuse in their childhood are three times more likely to be victimized as adults. The health and well-being of these children are important to end the intergenerational nature of domestic violence and homelessness (“Effects of Homelessness…”, 2013).

There is a wide spectrum of urgent challenges for homeless families. To end homelessness, we are required to be aware of them all. The homeless face mental and physical problems associated with homelessness. Affordable housing is a starting point. But homeless families need equal access to healthcare, food, clothing and the basic necessities to live a dignified life.

Works Cited

Brown, T. (2021, February 23). Unknown Challenges the Homeless Face. Regeneration. https://regenbrampton.com/unknown-challenges-the-homeless-face/

Effects of Homelessness on Families and Children.(n.d) Icphusa.org Issue 3.  Retrieved  November 7, 2023 From https://www.icphusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Effects-of-Homelessness.pdf