Re-envisioning Homeless Assistance Services

By Kimberly King

Homelessness is a complicated issue our society is plagued by. A result of a system-wide problem that has been perpetuated for decades, it has been a challenge to envision a society where homelessness can be eradicated. Strides towards this possibility are hindered by stigma, stereotypes and myths associated with homelessness. In addition, the common causes, intersections and experiences of individuals facing homelessness are often overlooked. Although there have been steps taken to tackle this issue, such as the improvements to rapid rehousing programs, there is still work to be done. When taking a look at homeless assistance efforts, although progress has been made to address single adults and veterans experiencing homelessness, there seems to be a blind spot for an underserved group to receive benefits. Children and families are both undercounted and inadequately supported from reaping the benefits of homeless assistance services across the United States. A 2020 study by Barbara Duffield looks at reimagining how children and families can benefit from homeless assistance services. This study piqued my interest in learning how our society can re-envision the future of  homelessness assistance services for youth and families.

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