( April 20, 2009) It’s unfortunate that homelessness has always been a problem in America. There are millions of people who have no place to call home. In fact, according to the Administration on Aging, an estimated 2-3 million Americans experience homelessness over the course of a given year. For a great majority of people, homelessness is a short, one-time event. Still, there is a relatively small and visible group which experiences homelessness for long periods of time, requiring them to rely heavily on available assistance. In its 2004 survey of 27 cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors found that the homeless population was 49% African American, 35% Caucasian, 13% Hispanic, 2% Native American, and 1% Asian. This indicates that homelessness is quite high among African Americans. There are two trends, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless, which are largely responsible for the rise in homelessness over the past 20-25 years. This includes a growing shortage of affordable rental housing and an increase in poverty. The Coalition goes on to explain that homelessness and poverty are inextricably linked. In many instances, poor people are unable to pay for housing, food, child care, health care, and education. As a result, difficult choices must be made when limited resources cover only some of these necessities. Often it is housing, which absorbs a high proportion of income, that must be dropped. And this places people in an unfortunate predicament where they’re only a paycheck away from living on the streets. It’s up to all of us to support the homeless and make donations to key organizations such as the National Coalition for the Homeless in an effort to give everyone a place to call home. After all, home is where the heart is and there’s no place like home! Sources: www.aoa.gov ; www.nationalhomeless.org