Cause of homelessness free essay sample

Homelessness in Australia can be defined in three categories; ‘Primary homelessness’ which is experienced by people without conventional accommodation, ‘Secondary homelessness’ is experienced by people who frequently move from one temporary shelter to another and ‘Tertiary homelessness’ which is experienced by people staying in accommodation that falls below minimum community standards. The first stimuli picture shows a person who is living though primary homelessness, living on the streets with only a few blankets to sleep with. Homeless people generally feel embarrassed, isolated and depressed; they are also cold, hungry and become lonely. They usually need medical attention, medications, blanket, clothing and in need of a friendship. In Australia there are 105, 237 people affected by homelessness and 27% of them are under 18. There are 59% of them either living in overcrowded dwelling or supported accommodation and the other 41% are living on the streets or in boarding houses specify designed for the homeless. There are many causes that lead to homelessness in Australia, some of which include; long term unemployment, shortage of affordable rental housing, poverty, mental illness and the exiting of state care or prison. Domestic violence is the largest cause of homelessness in Australia. Homelessness can also be caused by family breakdown, sexual assault, drug and alcohol addictions, gambling and social isolation. Some people especially adolescences are homeless because they were kicked out of home, have a lack of education or were abandoned by their family and friends. Homelessness usually results in being away from family, friends and the rest of the community so it is difficult to maintain school or further study which leads to them being vulnerable to long term unemployment and chronic ill-health. Homeless Australians are often excluded from participating in social, recreational, cultural and economic opportunities. All of these present factors of homelessness led to people having depression, poor nutrition, poor dental health, substance abuse, mental health issues and may even results in suicide. Children who experience homelessness are more likely to become homeless as adults and raise families who, in turn, may also become homeless. The causes and consequences of homelessness are also talked about throughout the New and Old Testament. Showing us that over time, the injustice of homelessness has not changed, we are still fighting the same battles. In the bible passage by Isaiah (58:7) in the Old Testament he writes, â€Å"Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter when you see the naked, to clothe them and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? † The injustice issue of homelessness is discussed in this passage; it explains that to be a true catholic means sharing and giving to the poor and not to turn away from them just because they are without homes. The second bible passage that relates to homelessness is a passage from Matthew (8:20) in the New Testament, where he writes â€Å"Jesus replied, â€Å"Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head. † Matthew is telling us that Jesus was comparing animals having homes to people having none and how that is unfair. Both scripture references relate to the issue of homelessness in contemporary society as people are still being sent to the streets while animals are being put in homes and people are still looking down on the homeless and not fulfilling their roles as Catholics. Also both scripture reference relate to the beatitude â€Å"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth, which means bless the poor (homeless) as they are a part of the earth. As well as homelessness issues being discussed in the bible, we as Catholics also learn about homelessness from the catholic social teaching. Catholic Social Teaching, are the teachings of the Church on social justice issues. One of the Catholic Social Teaching is ‘Human Dignity Human Rights’ teaching. The concept of Human Dignity is the main concern of Catholics thinking about human rights. The Catholic Church believes that each person is created in the image and likeness of God and is therefore equal in dignity and equal rights. Human dignity is absolute: a person does not ever lose their dignity, example; from being in poverty. Respecting ones dignity implies that the individual has access to the basic necessities of life which enable them to live humanly, which homeless people do not, as in most cases they are living in rough conditions (e.  g. on the street with no shelter). Papal social teaching refers to the teachings of the Popes throughout history that have dealt with the social issues of human life. The Papal teaching by Pope John XXIII in 1961demonstated Catholic’s views on human dignity and human rights, this is stated when he wrote, â€Å"The amount a worker receives must be sufficient, in proportion to available funds, to allow him and his family a standard of living consistent with human dignity. † This can be evident though the reaching out to those in need e. g. The homeless and giving employees a sufficient pay to be able to live a for filled life. Another of the Catholic Social Teaching is ‘The Common good’ teaching, it tells us that the rights and needs of others, individuals and the community must be balanced with the common good and always respected. The Papal teaching written by Pope John Paul II In 1990 discusses the Common good, when it states, â€Å"this love of preference for the poor, and the decisions which it inspires in us, cannot but embrace the immense multitudes of the hungry, the homeless†. This could be demonstrated by caring for the homeless and by showing the homeless that we can help them and that we respect them. One catholic organisation working to solve the issue of homelessness in Australia is St. Vincent De Paul. One catholic organisation working with injustices such as homelessness, in Australia is St. Vincent de Paul and its ‘Matthew Talbot Homeless Services’. Its aims include, being strongly committed to a range of issues that put men, women and families at risk of homelessness. Its activities include; having13 services for single homeless men including the Matthew Talbot hostel and outreach services in the inner city. The hostel caters for 100 men each night, has 80 outreach beds and help for those with mental health issues. The service also has special initiatives for women and children and up to 20 families who are escaping domestic violence and / or homelessness. The service is committed to helping those who are homeless, addressing issues of alcohol and other drug usage and to breaking the cycle of homelessness and domestic violence. The Matthew Talbot Homeless Service achieves their goals for helping the homeless though their activities and projects. Homelessness is a major social injustice in contemporary Australian society, The Scripture references, Social Catholic Teachings and Papal teachings also show that homelessness has been an issue for Catholics thought history and though the help of Catholic organisations the issue of homelessness is being fought and will hopefully one day is won. ESSAY TWO A well know catholic figure that is actively engaged in social justice issues in Australia is Father Chris Riley. Social justice refers to the formation of a just society, where justice refers to more than just the administration of laws, it is the idea of a society in which all individuals and groups are treated fairly and equally. Issues with social justice refer to when individuals or groups are not being treating with the same basic human rights as someone else, e. g. people who are homeless or in poverty. Father Chris Riley is a priest who has devoted his life to working with social injustice issues such as homelessness. Father Chris Riley (Riley) grew up in Victoria and at the age of 14 decided that he wanted to work with homeless young people. He was influenced by the 1938 movie Boys Town, which was loosely based on the work of Father Edward Flanagan. Straight from school Riley joined the Salesian religious order to become a Catholic priest and after graduating as a teacher and taking his vows, he worked for two years with the Boy’s Town charity in Sydney. While working at a school in Sydney later on in life, he saw one of the students crying in the freezing rain, this led him to working with that student and many other homeless people. This resulted in Father Chris Riley setting up the Youth of the Streets to help the chronically homeless, a highly successful organisation that has become known worldwide. Father Chris Riley is the founder and CEO of the organization dedicated to helping young Australians in trouble for the past 35 years. As CEO of Youth Off The Streets, Father Riley oversees the operation of over 35 programs that employ over 180 staff and involve more than 250 volunteers. He has also implemented innovative behaviour strategies to help young people deal with a history of trauma, abuse and neglect. Youth Off the Streets first started with a single food van run by Riley, delivering meals to young homeless people on the street of Kings Cross, now the organisation is running four high school crisis accommodation, rehabilitation facilities, counselling and parenting programs in New South Wales. His work as a priest and a principle at Boys Town High in Sydney led him to pursue the work he is achieving now and without that experience Father Chris Riley would not be working with youth who are faced with social justice issues. Riley now spends hours on the road driving to different charities and organizations and working with the social injustice of homelessness on a day to day basis. Getting released from Boy’s Town school to work on the streets with homeless youth with one van, it’s believe that there is no such thing as a child born bad, it is only bad circumstances, bad environments such as violent household or broken families that consequently led to bad choices made by the child, that has made him so successful. Social injustice is when individuals or groups are not being treating with the same basic human rights as someone else. An Australian Catholic figure, Father Chris Riley works with social justice issues such as homelessness, though his organisation Youth Off The Streets. His religious identity and life experiences led him to work in this area. His passion and strong believe in what’s right has meant that he has successfully helped thousands of people rehabilitate and go on to lead a happy and fulfilling life.