Suggested Topics
The following are suggested topics for consideration. You may select one of these or another aspect of homelessness that you find compelling.
Youth Homelessness
A study conducted by Chris Chamberlain and Guy Johnson in 2011 found that 0ne third of homeless adults in Australia became homeless as teenagers. While we are not familiar with a similar study regarding homelessness in the United States, anecdotal evidence seems to indicate that the numbers are similar. If one wanted to end homelessness, addressing youth homelessness might be a good place to start.
Two significant segments of the homeless youth population are those who identify as LGBT and those who have aged out of the foster system.
Nationwide, LGBT youth make up 20%-40% of the homeless youth population, but they represent just 7% of the broader population. Consider the roots of homophobia, and suggest ideas for alleviating homelessness among this population.
The Racial Aspects of Homelessness and the Roots of Racism in the U.S.
"People of color—specifically Blacks and Native Americans—are dramatically more likely than White Americans to experience homelessness. Furthermore, pathways out of homelessness for people of color are complicated by ongoing discrimination in housing, employment, health care, and education. Not only are people of color paid less and offered fewer jobs than Whites, but Black people have also, for more than a century, been systematically excluded from home ownership, the single greatest driver of wealth accumulation in this country. "
- Jeff Olivet and Marc Dones, Center for Social Innovation
Explore the roots of racist thought in the Unites States, how this thinking has exacerbated homelessness and poverty in minority communities, and propose ideas to ameliorate the effects of racism.
The Poverty Industry
Youth who are aging out of the foster system are particularly vulnerable to becoming homeless. States have an incentive to have many children in the foster system since they get federal dollars for each child in the system. Homeless shelters and other social service agencies receive funding based on the number of people they serve each year. This can lead to conflicts of interest between the social service agencies and the people they serve. Explore these conflicts, and consider whether social service agencies have an incentive to solve homelessness or perpetuate it. Consider the prospects for youth who have spent time in the foster system, and propose measures that can be taken to improve their chances for happy productive lives.
The Relationship Between Technology, Unemployment and Underemployment, and Homelessness
Poverty and homelessness have been a part of the American story since the early colonial period, but the massive and widespread homelessness that we see today is a result of industrialization and urbanization. In his book “Rise of the Robots”, Martin Ford warns that advanced technologies (automation, artificial intelligence, and robotics) may be leading us to a jobless future. Explore the history of homelessness in the United States, and consider if advancing technology poses a risk of exacerbating homelessness in the United States. Propose steps that can be taken to avoid this scenario.
The History of Homelessness in America
Explore the historical causes of homelessness, the attitudes about people experiencing homelessness, and the historical approaches use to alleviate the condition, include the criminalization of homelessness. Propose creative and innovative solutions for ending homelessness or for making life easier for someone experiencing homelessness.
Change Makers
It seems that in every community there are people doing amazing things, large and small, to improve the lives of others less fortunate than themselves. I've met a few of these people in my home community, and have found that the personal stories behind why they do what they do to be compelling and inspiring. Seek these people out and write about what they do, how they do it, and - perhaps most importantly - what drives them to do what they do.
Youth Homelessness
A study conducted by Chris Chamberlain and Guy Johnson in 2011 found that 0ne third of homeless adults in Australia became homeless as teenagers. While we are not familiar with a similar study regarding homelessness in the United States, anecdotal evidence seems to indicate that the numbers are similar. If one wanted to end homelessness, addressing youth homelessness might be a good place to start.
Two significant segments of the homeless youth population are those who identify as LGBT and those who have aged out of the foster system.
Nationwide, LGBT youth make up 20%-40% of the homeless youth population, but they represent just 7% of the broader population. Consider the roots of homophobia, and suggest ideas for alleviating homelessness among this population.
The Racial Aspects of Homelessness and the Roots of Racism in the U.S.
"People of color—specifically Blacks and Native Americans—are dramatically more likely than White Americans to experience homelessness. Furthermore, pathways out of homelessness for people of color are complicated by ongoing discrimination in housing, employment, health care, and education. Not only are people of color paid less and offered fewer jobs than Whites, but Black people have also, for more than a century, been systematically excluded from home ownership, the single greatest driver of wealth accumulation in this country. "
- Jeff Olivet and Marc Dones, Center for Social Innovation
Explore the roots of racist thought in the Unites States, how this thinking has exacerbated homelessness and poverty in minority communities, and propose ideas to ameliorate the effects of racism.
The Poverty Industry
Youth who are aging out of the foster system are particularly vulnerable to becoming homeless. States have an incentive to have many children in the foster system since they get federal dollars for each child in the system. Homeless shelters and other social service agencies receive funding based on the number of people they serve each year. This can lead to conflicts of interest between the social service agencies and the people they serve. Explore these conflicts, and consider whether social service agencies have an incentive to solve homelessness or perpetuate it. Consider the prospects for youth who have spent time in the foster system, and propose measures that can be taken to improve their chances for happy productive lives.
The Relationship Between Technology, Unemployment and Underemployment, and Homelessness
Poverty and homelessness have been a part of the American story since the early colonial period, but the massive and widespread homelessness that we see today is a result of industrialization and urbanization. In his book “Rise of the Robots”, Martin Ford warns that advanced technologies (automation, artificial intelligence, and robotics) may be leading us to a jobless future. Explore the history of homelessness in the United States, and consider if advancing technology poses a risk of exacerbating homelessness in the United States. Propose steps that can be taken to avoid this scenario.
The History of Homelessness in America
Explore the historical causes of homelessness, the attitudes about people experiencing homelessness, and the historical approaches use to alleviate the condition, include the criminalization of homelessness. Propose creative and innovative solutions for ending homelessness or for making life easier for someone experiencing homelessness.
Change Makers
It seems that in every community there are people doing amazing things, large and small, to improve the lives of others less fortunate than themselves. I've met a few of these people in my home community, and have found that the personal stories behind why they do what they do to be compelling and inspiring. Seek these people out and write about what they do, how they do it, and - perhaps most importantly - what drives them to do what they do.