Background Of Social Issues Throughout The Course Of Your Degree Progra
Throughout your degree program, you have examined various social issues addressed by health and human services professionals. For your final paper, you will synthesize your knowledge about a specific social issue of your choosing, developing an original intervention strategy or technique to address this issue. As part of this process, you will prepare a preliminary overview focusing on your selected social issue. Your initial assignment requires you to identify a social issue that is relevant to health and/or human service organizations and discuss its current impact on affected groups. When selecting this focus, consider broad topics such as homelessness, mental health, aging, substance abuse, or child welfare, which have been extensively studied at the scholarly level. A helpful resource for topic selection is the HHS A to Z Index.
Next, describe the historical background of your chosen social issue, including its origins, significant events and dates, and its present status. Examine environmental, social, political, and economic factors contributing to the persistence of this issue. Evaluate how this issue influences the delivery of health and human services by reviewing scholarly literature and professional or governmental resources. Pay particular attention to formal responses such as policy changes, legislation, or Acts enacted to address the issue.
Assess the effects of these policies and responses on service provision by health and human service organizations, both in direct practice with clients and within communities. Your submission must incorporate at least three scholarly sources—two from the Ashford University Library (e.g., research articles, critiques, reports)—and a third source which may be from the library or a government .gov website.
The paper should be three to four double-spaced pages in length, excluding the title and references pages, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. The submission must include a separate title page with the title of the paper, your name, course name and number, instructor’s name, and date submitted.
Paper For Above instruction
The social issue I have selected for this discussion is homelessness, a pervasive problem affecting various populations across the United States. Homelessness impacts vulnerable groups, including families with
children, veterans, individuals with mental health issues, and those suffering from substance abuse. Its current prevalence underscores the necessity for robust intervention strategies by health and human service organizations.
Homelessness as a social issue has deep historical roots, dating back to the early 19th century as urbanization grew and economic disparities widened. The Great Depression in the 1930s significantly intensified homelessness, as economic downturns led to mass unemployment and housing crises. In recent decades, policy shifts and economic changes have influenced its escalation, with rising housing costs, stagnating wages, and insufficient affordable housing options exacerbating the problem. Today, homelessness continues to be a critical concern, with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reporting over half a million individuals experiencing homelessness on any given night (HUD, 2023).
The persistence of homelessness is driven by a complex interplay of environmental, social, political, and economic factors. Environmentally, urban development and gentrification often displace low-income populations, exacerbating homelessness. Socially, issues such as mental illness, substance dependence, and family breakdown contribute significantly to the cycle of homelessness. Politically, policies vary across administrations, impacting funding and the availability of comprehensive solutions. Economically, the lack of affordable housing and rising costs of living leave many unable to secure stable housing, especially under minimal income or social support systems.
The response of health and human service organizations to homelessness involves multifaceted approaches, including emergency shelters, transitional housing, and long-term supportive services. Federal initiatives, such as the Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, and subsequent policies like the 2010 Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act, have established frameworks for addressing homelessness through coordinated community efforts (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2023). These policies aim to shift focus from just shelter provision to permanent housing solutions, emphasizing Housing First models that promote rapid rehousing and supportive services to stabilize affected individuals.
The impact of these policies has been profound on service delivery, prompting organizations to adopt more collaborative and client-centered approaches. Many agencies now work within coordinated entry systems to streamline access to housing and supportive resources, reducing barriers and improving outcomes for
homeless individuals and families (Burt & McGinty, 2018). In addition, legislation has increased funding for supportive housing programs, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment, recognizing the need for holistic care. These developments have heightened the capacity of health and human service organizations to offer recovery-oriented practices tailored to the unique needs of homeless populations. Despite policy advances, significant challenges remain, such as ensuring consistent funding, overcoming stigmatization, and addressing root causes like poverty and lack of affordable housing. Emerging issues, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have further strained resources and highlighted the urgency of comprehensive interventions. Continuous research and evaluation of policies remain essential to optimize solutions and ensure equitable access to housing and supportive services for all marginalized groups.
References
Burt, M. R., & McGinty, K. L. (2018). Homelessness in America. *Annual Review of Sociology*, 44, 255-273.
HUD. (2023). The 2023 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2023). *The Federal Strategic Plan to End Homelessness.* https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/homelessness_assistance/2023_ plan
Kuhn, R., & Culhane, D. (2010). Applying Housing First policies to homelessness prevention. *Housing Policy Debate*, 20(1), 1-16.
Padgett, D. K., & Metraux, S. (2012). Homelessness and mental health: What can we learn from the past? *Psychiatric Services*, 63(6), 543-544.
Slesnick, N., et al. (2013). A randomized controlled trial of substance abuse treatment outcomes among homeless youth. *Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment*, 45(2), 115-124.
AI, P. & McGowan, B. G. (2020). Economic factors influencing homelessness. *Journal of Social Policy*, 49(3), 495–514.
National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2022). *State of Homelessness: 2022 Edition.* https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/homelessness-statistics/
Fitzpatrick, S., et al. (2019). The social and economic Consequences of Homelessness. *European Journal of Social Policy*, 29(1), 1-15.
USICH. (2021). *The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness.* https://www.usich.gov/resources/uploads/asset_library/Federal_Strategic_Plan.pdf