The scariest statistic of all is that 23% of these are families with children.
There are a host of factors which are attributing to the problem and a few major issues have been highlighted and efforts made to alleviate homelessness. These include offering more affordable housing, comprehensive health care and assistance programs.
Homelessness also has a massive effect on education and educating the homeless youth is thought to be critical in breaking the cycle of poverty. Health is also a major concern as the homeless simply cannot afford decent health care, many attributing mental illness as one of the main reasons for becoming or staying homeless.
Another issue surrounding homelessness is public attitude and stigma. A 2002 national survey stated that 71% of people say that police should remove homeless if they are keeping shoppers away from an area and 51% would like the homeless removed from public parks if they are driving other people away.
