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Introduction
In the United States, there is a disproportionate share of the homeless population. African Americans are part of the minority groups experiencing higher rates of homelessness and racial disparities than the whites. The primary cause is America’s long-standing structural and historical racism. Racial inequality in homelessness cases among the American population is not improving. The number of whites seeking shelter has declined in recent years. For the African Americans, the number has increased rapidly, making the group constitute the largest share of people seeking refuge due to being homeless at a given time (Jones 141). Non-profit organizations like the National Law Centre on Homelessness and Poverty have been formed to help fight homelessness and racial disparities among marginalized groups (U.S Mayors). Housing cost burdens and evictions are considered one of the most contributing factors to this menace. Once an African American loses a house, racist housing practices prevent them from getting housed elsewhere. African Americans possess the highest rate of homelessness and racial disparities in America, with the resultant causes and effects being the legacy of slavery, racial segregation, and poverty.
Causes and Effects
Among the homeless population in America, African Americans conctitute the majority. The American population comprises 13% African-Americans, but they account for over 40% of the homeless population (Jones 140). Racial disparities get experienced everywhere in America, especially among Blacks and Latinos. The discrepancies result from centuries of discrimination in education, housing, child welfare, and criminal justice (Canoso 1). African Americans are more likely to be homeless because of past criminal records, whether true or false. Their chances of getting jobs or housing apartments are hence affected, thus causing homelessness due to a lack of steady employment that will support them in paying rent. Poverty alone can not justify the rise in homelessness among blacks because the number of homeless exceeds those living in deep poverty in America (Jones 146). In recent research by the United States Conference of Mayors, the causes of homelessness among the marginalized groups were unemployment, poverty, the legacy of slavery, lack of affordable housing, low wages, and racial segregation (U.S Mayors). The three most witnessed causes were the legacy of slavery, racial segregation, and poverty.
The Legacy of Slavery
Racism in education, housing options, economic status, employment, and the lasting effects of slavery are the resultant causes of the high rise of homeless cases among African Americans. Racial disparities and inequality continue to be the main challenges in ensuring all Americans are treated equally (Canoso 1). The legacy of slavery has resulted in whites having similar beliefs regarding blacks as in the past, where they were seen as inferior people. They experience racial disparities in housing options, economic status, safety, and societal treatment, thus leading to homelessness. Income disparities emerge from the unequal distribution of education, resulting in a lack of employment due to a lack of proper qualifications (Jones 143). Educational inequality is deeply rooted in the history of many countries, especially among those that practiced slavery. Some whites, to date, are still mentally enslaved by the thought of diminishing other races just as it occurred in the past. The slavery legacy is a resultant cause of an implied wage gap and induction of racial discrimination among the Blacks in America (Canoso 2). As a result, African Americans cannot afford basic needs like housing, thus causing homelessness.
Racial Segregation
African Americans continue to suffer from the unequal distribution of resources ranging from housing to health provision. The blacks are over-represented in areas associated with low living standards where everything is limited (Fowle 1). Discrimination against blacks in housing continues to be felt even today. Past racist public policies continue to undermine the provision of opportunities for all, thus limiting equal opportunities in employment, education, wealth, and health. The geographic concentration of poverty and neighborhood distress continues to be experienced by African Americans due to the denial of capital and racial disparities (Jones 143). Blacks cannot get employment due to racism, thus resulting in homelessness as they cannot afford suitable housing as it requires funds. The few African Americans who can afford rent cannot get houses due to racial segregation.
Poverty
Poverty is an extensive factor resulting in homelessness cases, especially among African Americans who are overrepresented below the poverty line. It incorporates other factors like stagnant wages, high housing costs, and unemployment which cause homelessness (Fowle 3). The root causes have led to economic drawbacks since the blacks cannot build wealth, thus resulting in a disproportionate rate of homelessness and poverty. African Americans cannot get well-paying jobs because of racial disparities, affecting their ability to afford suitable housing apartments (Fowle 6). With no work that can enhance the acquisition of wealth, the population cannot afford to pay rent, thus becoming homeless. In a 2019 research study by the United States Census Bureau, the Blacks over-represent the poverty population. Blacks in poverty were close to twice that of the general population, representing over 23 percent of the poverty population despite accounting for only 13 percent of the total population (Bureau). Whites and Asians were under-represented as most were financially stable. They were not exposed to racial disparities like the Black Americans. With this high poverty rate, homelessness continues to be a challenge among this marginalized group.
Effects of Homelessness
Homelessness cases rising among blacks have resulted in several effects getting experienced. The cases result in affecting the psychological and physical health of the blacks. The resultant cause for the many health issues experienced by the homeless is the environment. They are constantly sleeping in the cold resulting in problems like hypothermia which can lead to death if not treated (LaVeist 41). Majority of the homeless lack families that can help in time of need. Lack of attention from caring souls like husbands, wives, family, and doctors is a resultant cause of their deteriorating health over time. Some of the health problems the homeless African Americans typically suffer from include cold injury, sleep deprivation, tuberculosis, mortality, nutritional deficiencies, and mental illness (LaVeist 41). Homeless people become psychologically affected when they no longer have a home. The resulting consequences are drug abuse, violence, low self-esteem, and engagement in criminal activities. Getting exposed to these disparities constantly leads to stigma, resulting in poor health, low self-esteem, fear, and stress (LaVeist 41). Racial disparities affect the African American population’s well-being, sense of agency, and opportunities.
Conclusion
African Americans are the primary victims of racial disparities and homelessness in America. The principal cause for this is the inequality distribution of opportunities. Unlike the whites, blacks face racial disparities in almost all departments. This marginalized group’s leading causes of homelessness include unemployment, racial segregation, poverty, the legacy of slavery, and low wages. Policies which divided the races in the past are still fresh in some individuals who find it hard to accept any other race apart from the white race. Poverty is a dominant factor leading to the increase in homelessness. Without work, poverty sets in, making it hard to afford all basic needs. The effects of homelessness include sleep deprivation and drug abuse. Lastly, racial disparities generally lead to low self-esteem and poor health among the victims. Constant exposure to these disparities leads to stigma, which prevents better well-being among the population.
Works Cited
Bureau, U.S. “Inequalities Persist Despite Decline In Poverty For All Major Race And Hispanic Origin Groups.” Census.Gov, 2020, Web.
Canoso, Juan J. “Homelessness: Cause And Effects.” Clinical Rheumatology, vol 40, no. 1, 2020, pp. 1-2. Springer Science And Business Media LLC, Web.
Fowle, Matthew Z. “Racialized Homelessness: A Review Of Historical And Contemporary Causes Of Racial Disparities In Homelessness.” Housing Policy Debate, 2022, pp. 1-28. Informa U.K. Limited, Web.
Jones, Marian Moser. “Does Race Matter In Addressing Homelessness? A Review Of The Literature.” World Medical &Amp; Health Policy, vol 8, no. 2, 2016, pp. 139-156. Wiley, Web.
LaVeist, Thomas A. “Segregation, Poverty, And Empowerment: Health Consequences For African Americans.” The Milbank Quarterly, vol 71, no. 1, 1993, p. 41. JSTOR, Web.
U.S Mayors. “Hunger And Homelessness Survey.” Endhomelessness.Org, 2016, Web.
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