Homelessness is one of the most enduring social problems of this century. It has been a part of the American landscape since colonial times. In the 16th and 17th centuries, poor, unskilled, homeless European citizens were exiled to the American colonies. Colonial authorities enacted anti-vagrancy laws, and established houses of correction, work, houses, and almshouses, and frequently treated the poverty of the homeless as if it were criminality.
Permanent and widespread homelessness became a glaring reality in American society in the 19th century, after the industrial revolution displaced large numbers of unskilled workers. The first study of homelessness was conducted by Alice Salenberger in 1900. She found that the majority of the homeless were unattached white males who lived in cheap lodging houses. Since that time, numerous studies have chronicled the changing face of homelessness in America. From unemployed migrant workers to the hard core unemployed, the physically and mentally handicapped, and social deviants isolated and segregated in "skid row districts," homelessness has expanded to all segments of the population. The large and growing homeless populations today consists of a hetrogeneous mix of single men and women, children, families, minorities, the mentally ill and disabled, the elderly, and those dependent on drugs/alcohol.
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Homelessness is not confined to urban areas. With advances in technology, relocation of manufacturing to third world countries, increased housing costs, and changes in public policy, many small towns and counties across America are in transition from rural to suburban/urban. Unless they find work for the unemployed, training for the unskilled, funds to repair the decaying infrastructure, ways to provide affordable housing and affordable health care for the rapidly graying and the mentally and physically handicapped among them; they too will experience the phenomenon of homelessness in their communities.
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Mission Statement
To ensure people get the right idea, we'll include a brief statement here that describes our organization. We'll tell people what we want to accomplish and exactly how we plan to do it.
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