Preventing Homelessness: Exploring Measures to Reduce Vulnerability

The saying” Prevention is better than cure” applies strongly to homelessness. We often ignore the risk until it’s too late. Similar to looking after our health, spotting the early signs of potential homelessness is important. There are two main reasons for homelessness: financial troubles and distressing environments.

Firstly, money problems can lead to homelessness. Keeping track of expenses, like rent and groceries is a very good practice. If after paying all your expenses you can put aside 10 percent of your income as savings you are faring pretty well. If your spending matches your earning closely, it’s a sign to reassess your budget and identify areas where you can cut down. Establishing an emergency fund equivalent to six to eight months’ worth of expenses acts as a safety net during unexpected hardships, effectively shielding you from the brink of homelessness. In many instances where families struggle with affording housing, the issue often arises from having a single earner supporting numerous family members. In such situations, it becomes imperative that anyone who’s eligible to work actively seeks employment to contribute to the family’s financial stability. This collective effort significantly reduces the risk of homelessness.

The second critical aspect revolves around creating a positive and harmonious home environment. Nurturing such an environment requires active involvement from everyone in the household. Negative emotions are contagious; they spread like fire, causing tension within the family. Recognizing that individual struggles shouldn’t overshadow the overall household atmosphere is key. Simple gestures such as going together on a family picnic, partaking in family dinners, and approaching everyone’s concerns with patience can profoundly contribute to upholding a strong familial bond. Upholding a positive outlook helps to resolve conflicts and prevents extreme measures, like contemplating homelessness, as an escape.

While personal responsibility plays a significant role, government intervention is pivotal in tackling homelessness. Introducing financial literacy education in schools equips individuals with essential money management skills, fostering stability. To further address these challenges, the government should focus on creating more survival jobs or basic wages that don’t require high educational qualifications. The establishment of these jobs or basic wage jobs would provide an additional means of support for family members, supporting the earnings of the main breadwinner. Moreover, conducting comprehensive financial assessments can pinpoint households at risk and offer tailored assistance, serving as a help against potential homelessness. Additionally, mandating therapy sessions within educational and professional settings not only enhances awareness about homelessness but also makes people realize how bad the effects of homelessness are.

Preventing homelessness is a collective task that necessitates collaboration between individuals, families, and government bodies. By demonstrating how to manage one’s own financial resources, nurturing positive environments, and implementing educational initiatives, we can effectively dismantle the path to homelessness. In doing so, we pave the way toward a future characterized by stability, security, and prosperity for all.

Works cited

Judy Ponio.(2016).Why Are People Homeless? A Look Into Homelessness . Our Father’s House Soup Kitchen

https://ofhsoupkitchen.org/how-do-people-become-homeless