Factors which Complicate Hunger Problems among the Homeless
The homeless are characterized with poverty and thus the ability of street families and the homeless to afford all meals or at least a decent meal becomes a herculean task for them.
The equation becomes even more complex in the event when there is an acute food shortage in the respective nations of such individuals and they have to beg for alms and assistance from their governments and other aid bodies.
There are several factors which cause complicate the issue of hunger among the homeless and they include:
Homeless people have more often than not resulted in their status due to poverty which might be induced by income inequalities. Either such individuals can’t find decent work programs or don’t have the merits and qualification required to secure a given job.
Since their pay may be meager due to the casual jobs that they get, hence they are never at a position to afford healthy foods and in most instances may be hunger-stricken especially when they lack any paying task.
Health and social status of the homeless.
The homeless are characterized by individuals who might be drug addicts, suffer from mental illnesses and other alcoholic & drug problems which might complicate their ability to work and thus further complicating the whole scenario of the plights of homelessness and hunger. Also the inability if the homeless to get access to affordable health care makes the equation among these individuals to be worse.
Many governments worldwide do not put into consideration the plight of the homeless even when legislating laws to protect the different classes of individuals. This is also replicated during national budgets whereby governments fail to set aside adequate finances to cater for housing programs and other social services which mean that the assistance of the homeless is still far from reach.
Lack of affordable housing units.
In many countries, there’s a growing gap between the incomes earned and the cost of housing available especially in urban areas and hence people might fail to meet the cost of housing. This is devastating because most job opportunities are found in these urban areas and with no affordable housing units, then people might result to homelessness.
How to alleviate hunger among the homeless
Participating in hunger and homeless awareness programs which sensitize the plight facing the community and also bring to attention the menace to government officials and other bodies which might intervene to end homelessness as well as promote the national endeavor and quest to end hunger.
Also campaigns and movement geared towards addressing a common cause among human beings helps in bring them together in greater understanding and solidarity which is paramount in thinning out the gap between individuals of different social classes.
Using Media to point out the inequalities and hunger plight among the homeless and less unfortunate people in the society.
Participating in community programs which will attract the attention of aid bodies and associations to help in alleviating homelessness and hunger as well as pressurizing the government to promoting affordable housing solutions.