Spare+some+change+for+the+homeless-+Lauren

Spare some Change for the Homeless // Introduction  // ·  Characteristics of western society according to the article are : o  Attempts to gain and maintain control over anything vulnerable o  Large scale production o  Adoption of a global perspective o  Accumulation of wealth o  A large emphasis on image ·  These are a result of: o  Technological advances and o  Rapid change ·  Characteristics of the homeless or “undeserving victims of continuity”: o  Low socio-economic status o  Minimal participation o  Perceived negative approach to life o  Oblivious to the outside world o  Unconcerned about image ·  There are around 100,000 homeless in Australia that are unable to change their situation ·  Methodologies used: o  Participant observation o  Content analysis o  Statistical analysis // Definitions:  // ·  Homeless: those who have inadequate __**access** __  to safe and secure housing- lack of or no cooking facilities and self care facilities, privacy and a base from which they can conduct daily activities //Environmental change// // “Sleeping rough” //  Immediate environment of a makeshift dwelling e.g.: tents parks cars derelict buildings- 14,000 in Australia // People staying in refuges, shelters, temporarily with family, renting in caravan parks or boarding houses – // ** slip below public radar ** and can include those in a highly transient situation and will often more between the listed accommodations  ·     Can lead to secondary issues such as:  o     Intermittent or no employment  o     Absence of income will lead to:  §     Limits in choice  §     Limit in purchasing power e.g rent  o     Decline in morale and self esteem  o     Negative interactions in a social environment  ·    ** Unemployment is the main cause of homelessness ** Time for Change ·  Extended periods of time homeless can lead to **physical, emotional and psychological issues** for that person ·  Those ‘sleeping rough’ can lead to poor nutrition and lack of medical attention this can lead to a **shortened life expectancy** ·  St. Vincent’s hospital Darlinghurst- close proximity to a large homeless community and therefore sees regular cases of injury, aliments and substance abuse crisis’s ·  Homeless youth tend to return to their families after shorter periods of time however **significant periods of time away from home without contact can lead to homelessness later in life** // Some Small Change  // ·  Some may resort to begging- most marginalised and neglected group in Australia- last resort and is found to be demeaning, humiliating, frustrating and time-consuming to the individual ·  Victorian police banned begging last Christmas and it caused public outrage and calls for proactive rather than reactive measures ·  Begging remains an illegal offence- rather than arresting and charging or imprisoning the person education can improve the awareness of this inequality ·  Program in the US ensures that police attend a training program and therefore they are encouraged to refer the homeless to a shelter or refuge rather than imprisoning ·  It is a more productive measure to buy the homeless person a meal, have a conversation or donate to a charity that helps the homeless // The right to Change  // ·  Victorian gov. survey targeted at over 200 homeless investigated what was considered the most important right. The findings included: 1.   the right to housing 2.   the right to be treated with dignity 3.   the right to freedom from discrimination 4.   the right to participate in decision making 5.   equal opportunities to mainstream society- lack of shelter should not dictate rights of the individual // Policy change in the macro world  // // Disadvantage due to age, gender and Disability  // // Future Change  //
 * National homeless strategy of may 2000 – under the DOCS prevention program for the homeless- aimed at holistic and strategic approaches to homelessness
 * Supported accommodation Assistance program (SAAP) of 1980 –responsible for refuges- has 50% commonwealth funding and 45% of state and territories
 * Other programs include: rent assist, crisis accommodation, and emergency relief program.
 * Professor Henderson 1970s developed the Henderson poverty line- gap between this and centerlink payments- <21 years sees largest discrimination-$150 below the Henderson poverty line
 * Around half of all those below the poverty line are under 25 years old with concentration in the teenage bracket
 * Women and families that are a homeless due to domestic violence now have adequate access to SAAP
 * Will not vanish and needs drastic changes to be combated with changes to government legislation
 * Refuges need to be increased and low income must be abolished