Running head: HOMELESS IN AMERICA

Homeless in America
Stephanie Logan
Ferris State University

HOMELESS IN AMERICA

2
Homeless in America

In 2009, it was estimated between 2.3 and 3.5 million people

were homeless in America (Facts and Figures, 2009). When witnessing
the homeless population holding signs on the side of the road, or
sleeping on park benches in the city, it is easy to assume they are
lazy or not willing to contribute to society. We often believe these
people will harm us for drug or alcohol money, have a mental illness,
or are criminals that are in and out of the system. Many decide to
quickly walk or drive by, instead of reaching out to try and help the
people in need. If we do not see the person begging for help or look
them in the eye, the problem does not exist, right? This is far from the
truth.
Demographics
Homeless in Michigan come in many varieties of people that do
not fit just one description. Of the 9.8 million people in Michigan, more
than 86,000 people are without a home (Facts About, 2012). In the
state of Michigan, over half of the homeless population is made up of
families, not just single men and women. One in three, who are
homeless, are children (Facts About, 2012). Sixty-nine percent of the
total homeless population in Michigan consists of single mothers with
children (Homeless, 2008). The average age of a homeless adult in
Michigan is 32 years old, and the average age of a child is 8 years old
(Homeless, 2008).

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Michigan is ranked 5th in the United States for number of

homeless residents (Homeless, 2008). Nationally, the United States
houses roughly 2.3 to 3.5 million homeless people (Homeless, 2008).
According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, 39 percent of the
homeless population were children under the age of 18, in 2003, within
the United States. Of that 39 percent, 42 percent of those children
were under the age of five. In 2004, 25 percent of the homeless
population were between the ages 25 and 34. This same study found
that six percent of the homeless population were between the ages 55
and 64 (Who is Homeless, 2011).
Effect of Research
It is important to gather information about a topic you are not
well informed about. The homeless population is made up of many
more facets, other than the drug addicts, and mentally ill. Many
families are living on the streets because the parents have lost their
jobs and simply cannot keep up with their financial expenses any
longer. Research helps to prove just this. By performing and analyzing
research, you can redirect personal attitudes or misconceptions one
may have on a certain population, or subject matter. Research
provides solid evidence on who, what, when, where, and why. By
providing a solid base of information for ourselves, we can change the
personal attitudes it is so easy to form. If we are capable of changing

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the misconceptions we may have, the patient care given by our

nursing staff, would better suite the population as a whole.
Self Reflection
I personally have a small passion for the homeless population. In
many ways, I am ignorant to the population and why they are
homeless. I like the idea of helping a person in such need, but know so
little about why people actually become this way over time. Before
performing the research, I felt as though homeless people were lazy
bums and addicted to drugs or alcohol. I believed they were mostly
looking for someone to give them money, to get their next fix. Even
though I thought this way, I had the passion to help them. I believed a
major part of the nurses role when helping the homeless, had to do
with rehab and helping a person become clean, and get back on their
feet. Although this is a facet of the population, it is only a small one.
There are many people, especially families, that I did not realize were
homeless. After doing the research, I am even more interested in the
population, and ready to help. It is crucial to help the vulnerable
populations, as they are people too. These people truly need help, in
which many programs will provide. I learned a great deal on this
population by researching information for this paper, and feel an even
stronger draw to them afterwards.
Knowledge of Bias

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Being aware of biases that exist both in the general population,

and within oneself, can drastically affect the delivery of health care. If
a nurse understands misleading information that is out there about a
population, such as the homeless, they can deliver better care to the
population, or people in need. It is difficult to understand every person
you perform care on, but it is very important to be educated and have
a solid knowledge base behind you. A great nurse is one that tries to
understand what the patient is going through, where they come from,
and empathize with them along the way. When the nurse removes
feelings from the care, and simply judges the patient in an ignorant
fashion, the care quickly plummets. As nurses, it is important to
always broaden our knowledge base both within the field, and within
various populations as well.

References
Facts About Homelessness. (2012). In Community Housing Network. Retrieved
September 18, 2014, from
http://www.communityhousingnetwork.org/activek/content.asp?catid=90&content
Facts and Figures: The Homeless. (2009, June 26). In Public Broadcasting Service.
Retrieved September 29, 2014, from
http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/526/homeless-facts.html
Homeless in Michigan Fact Sheet. (2008, August). In Michigan's Campaign to End

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Homelessness. Retrieved September 18, 2014, from
http://www.thecampaigntoendhomelessness.org/LinkClick.aspx?
fileticket=PyAi7MFQN7o%3D&tabid=80&mid=429
The Homeless. (2012, March 16). In Center of Disease Control. Retrieved September
25, 2014, from http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/population/homeless.asp
Vitullo-Martin, Julia. "Homeless in America." The Wall Street Journal A.17 (2007): 12
pars. ProQuest. Web. 29 Sept. 2014. <http://0search.proquest.com.libcat.ferris.edu/docview/399066949>.
Who is Homeless?. (2011, December 15). In National Coalition for the Homeless.
Retrieved September 24, 2014, from
http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/who.html