Introduction

Childhood poverty and homelessness affect children’s physical development, mental health, education and general well-being and this is a significant issue globally. When children grow up in households that lack financial resources that meet basic requirements such as shelter, food, healthcare and education are known as Childhood poverty [i]. It often leads to poor physical and mental development, lower self-confidence, fewer educational possibilities, and social demotion. On the other hand, Homelessness is when children have unstable and permanent homes, thus forcing them to stay in shelters, street and temporary accommodation[ii].

One of the major issues that affect economic development and government expenditure in the United States is Childhood poverty and homelessness and this echo larger social and economic inequality. Even though the US is known for its tremendous riches and political influence, many struggle with poverty and housing insecurity, especially families and children[iii].

Many causes have been identified for childhood poverty and homelessness and this includes unemployment, lack of affordable housing, family disorganization, systemic barriers such as family separation, economic inequality, access to social service, mental illness and depression[iv]. Homeless children are likely to experience trauma, low self-esteem and resilience, increased stress and anxiety that delay development, lower academic performance, cycles of poverty and chronic health issues[v].

 Despite significant strides in economic development and social welfare policies, millions of children in the United States and the globe still experience the harsh realities of poverty and homelessness, which profoundly impact their present well-being and prospects[vi]. It is crucial to determine why existing policies are not effective and develop new ways of addressing this social issue. I recommend Job guarantee for marginalized communities, affordable housing, assisting one street person policy, and adopting child preservation strategies In the United States, child poverty rates are disproportionately greater among most non-white populations. In 2022, the child poverty rate was 25.9% for American Indian children, 19.5% for Hispanic children, 17.8% for Black children, 11.2% for White children, and 9.9% for Asian children[vii].

Barriers that exist to address poverty and homelessness

Systemic Barriers

Affordable Housing Shortage

High housing costs and limited availability make it difficult for families living in poverty to secure stable housing[viii].  Rising housing costs, coupled with stagnant wages, force many families to spend a large portion of their income on housing. This leaves little room for other essential expenses, pushing families closer to poverty or homelessness.

Economic Inequality and Access to Social Services

Economic inequality perpetuates the problem by creating disparities in income and wealth distribution for low-income families[ix]. There is limited access to resources and opportunities for such groups. This includes access to quality education, healthcare, job opportunities, training, and financial services. As a result, children born into poverty face significant barriers to upward mobility. This extends a cycle of poverty, making it difficult for children to escape.

Circumstantial Barriers

Family Separation and Disorganization

Parental substance abuse, such as alcohol and drug use, forces most young children to follow in their footsteps[x]. These children have seen their family sell drugs on the street and consider it a family business to engage in such actions as well as use them. Divorce is also a contributing factor. This progressively worsens childhood poverty and homelessness.

Mental illness and Depression

The impact of Institutional hurdles in which children are forcibly removed from their parents, often blacks, due to minor error intensifies childhood poverty and homelessness. Instead of addressing the issue, officials move quickly to separate children from their parents[xi]. Most families resort to drug and alcohol intake due to depression which eventually puts them out of employment. Off course, without a source of income, one is likely to be homeless in the United States.

RECOMMENDATION

Job guarantee as a form of reparation to colonize descent.

The percentage of poverty among American Indians and Alaska Natives (26.8%), Black Americans (19.5%), and Hispanic Americans (17%) is known to be very high[xii]. It is important that job guarantee initiatives are being implemented to cater for communities historically excluded from equal economic opportunities such as jobs, social services, and health care, among others, especially for people of African descent. Federal programs should include fully funded mass training and employment in education, health sectors, childcare, eldercare, social services, transportation, manufacturing, construction, and maintenance. Programs for small businesses, startup capital, mentorship and cooperative development among such communities should be initiated. Training in jobs in high demand such as engineering, healthcare, finance, technology, and data science should be created. This will reduce poverty and in turn solve homelessness in the United States.

Changing the approach from family separation to family preservation

Addressing the root causes of family instability, such as economic hardship, instead of family separation can help to maintain a stable and supportive family environment that can aid children in their development, hence preventing a cycle of poverty. Keeping children in foster homes aggravates homelessness, as these children often experience trauma and instability and are likely prone to not focusing on school. They eventually grow up and are found on the street. The US government should invest in family support programs such as housing assistance, job training, mental health services, and affordable childcare. This will improve the economic conditions of the family, thereby preventing homelessness.

Developing Affordable Housing

It is the fundamental right of everyone to have housing. The right to satisfactory housing is acknowledged in international human rights law, the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. Unfortunately, housing is generally expensive in the United States and makes life unbearable even for the working class. More than 50% of renters’ income is spent on housing[xiii]. This is unacceptable and invariable means that the rights of individuals have been infringed upon. It is paramount that the government collaborated with NGOs to initiate a program of affordable housing for all. This can be initiated at the local and national level. This will prevent many from being homeless while addressing families who are homeless on a case-by-case scenario.

Policy intervention to help One street person

Tackling the needs of one street person at a time allows for tailored and person-centered intervention. Policy efforts can focus on individual needs, whether it’s providing substance abuse treatment, mental health services, job training, or housing assistance. This will create an opportunity to refine and improve support systems and enable policymakers to evaluate what strategies work best for different populations. Intervention that highlights individual success stories will humanize homelessness, changing public perspective from a blurred social issue to a solvable problem affecting real people. This approach will reduce the long-term costs associated with homelessness, such as emergency healthcare, legal expenses, and law enforcement interventions. It will increase the tax revenue of the Country when more people are out of the street and working.

In conclusion, it is important that initiate affordable housing for all, change the approach from family separation to preservation, policy intervention to help one street person, and provide guaranteed jobs for marginalized communities. This will reduce childhood poverty and homelessness and break the cycle of poverty.

Gloria Baidoo is a distinguished graduate student at American University’s School of International Service, pursuing a master’s degree in international Affairs Policy and Analysis. With a focus on human rights and a robust background in methods and analytics, she has been recognized with both the SIS Dean's Award and the prestigious Adel Ait Ghezala Graduate Research Fellowship. Gloria also serves as the Dean’s Fellow at the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at the American University Washington College of Law, further cementing her dedication to human rights and humanitarian issues.

In addition to her academic achievements, Gloria holds an MSc in Supply Chain Management from Coventry University and a bachelor’s in management studies from the University of Cape Coast. Her professional experience spans various roles, including Assistant Registrar at Academic City University College in Ghana, Marketing Executive at Immeri Ghana, Project Manager at Lockwood Institute, Program Assistant at Coastal Resources Center – USAID NGO and Community Liaison Officer for Tullow Oil Ghana.

[i] United Way NCA (2022) “Childhood Poverty in the United States” Updated on 12/14/2023

Child Poverty in America: 2023 Facts & Statistics | United Way NCA

[ii]   National Center for Children in Poverty (2009) “Homeless Children and Youth: Causes and Consequences” Homeless Children and Youth: Causes and Consequences – NCCP

[iii]  Areeba Haider (2021) “The Basic Facts About Children in Poverty” The Basic Facts About Children in Poverty - Center for American Progress

[iv]  National Center for Children in Poverty (2009) “Homeless Children and Youth: Causes and Consequences” Homeless Children and Youth: Causes and Consequences – NCCP

[v]   Andrea Drag  “Trauma & Triumph: How Horizons Helps Children Overcome Toxic Stress” Impact of Trauma on Children Experiencing Homelessness (horizonschildren.org)

[vi]  The Lancet Commission “A future for the world's children? A WHO–UNICEF–Lancet Commission”

A future for the world's children? A WHO–UNICEF–Lancet Commission - The Lancet

[vii] United Way NCA (2022) “Childhood Poverty in the United States” Child Poverty in America: 2023 Facts & Statistics | United Way NCA

[viii] National Low Income Housing Coalition (2024) “The Problem”  The Problem | National Low Income Housing Coalition (nlihc.org)

[ix] Allie Schneider & Hailey Gibbs (2022) “ Disparities in Housing, Health care, Child care and Econonmic Security affect babies for life” Disparities in Housing, Health Care, Child Care, and Economic Security Affect Babies for Life - Center for American Progress

[x]  Rachel N. Lipari and Struther L. Van Horn, (2017), “ Children Living with Parents Who Have a Substance Use Disorder” Children Living with Parents Who Have a Substance Use Disorder (samhsa.gov)

[xi]  Aryeh Neier (2022) “The Child Welfare System Needs an Overhaul” The Child Welfare System Needs an Overhaul | ACLU

[xii]  American psychological Association (2024) “Mental health effects of poverty, hunger, and homelessness on children and teens” Effects of poverty, hunger and homelessness on children and youth (apa.org)

[xiii]  USAFactsTeam (2023) “Who spends more of their income on housing in the US?” Who spends more of their income on housing in the US? - USAFacts