Protecting the habitat is the responsibility of all of us
Homeless people are individuals who face housing instability, insufficient income, healthcare support, and social support.
Makeshift tents and mattresses under overpasses or under bridges, cardboard boxes on street corners, in doorways, or in abandoned buildings, are common locations used by most homeless people. Other homeless populations have better luck living in homeless shelters provided by the government or charitable organizations.
People living temporarily with friends or family or staying in emergency shelters are also classified as homeless. Homelessness can be a choice, but it can happen unexpectedly to anyone. In addition to personal factors such as domestic violence, unemployment, and mental illness, external factors such as affordable housing and access to reliable income from decent work.
What is the state of homelessness around the world?
The unsustainable increase in the world's population every year increases the phenomenon of homelessness globally. In 2019, 1.6 billion people did not have adequate housing and no fewer than 150 million people were considered homeless.
In the United States, every night in 2016, approximately 550,000 people were homeless. That means 1 in 1,670 Americans is homeless. However, between 2007 and 2016 the number of homeless people in the United States fell by nearly 100,000 people.
What we can do?
Differences in economic and political situations around the world make it difficult to come up with standard solutions to homelessness. In doing so, this deepens the inequality gap we face today.
Since the problem of homelessness is more expensive to address than to ignore, the government must take appropriate action to support disadvantaged groups in need of decent housing as Finland does. Additionally, community organizations and the business world can collaborate to provide better employment opportunities to the homeless through corporate social responsibility initiatives.
As an individual, you can volunteer at a homeless shelter through a charitable organization.
Alternatively, you can make a donation to support their cause. Together we can create housing for all and a better urban future.
History of World Habitat Day
In 1985, the United Nations designated the first Monday in October each year as World Habitat Day. The idea is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right of everyone to a decent place to live. This day is also intended to remind the world of its collective responsibility towards the future of human habitat.
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