Groups in Context - Homeless
Exploring the Four Specific Groups within the Community
Prevalence of each group within the community
Data collected on the 2011 census night indicated that approximately 105 000 people were homeless across Australia (an increase of 8% from 2006)
- Over 60% of homeless people were under 35 years
- Between 60% and 70% of homeless people had been homeless for six months or longer
- Increases were blamed on the number of people living in ‘severely crowded’ housing
- More than half of those seeking accommodation from homelessness services are turned away
- A higher number of males are homeless (56%)
- Females who were homeless reported a higher incidence of domestic or family violence
- Over 60% of homeless people were under 35 years
- Between 60% and 70% of homeless people had been homeless for six months or longer
- Increases were blamed on the number of people living in ‘severely crowded’ housing
- More than half of those seeking accommodation from homelessness services are turned away
- A higher number of males are homeless (56%)
- Females who were homeless reported a higher incidence of domestic or family violence
Individual diversity within each group
Age, cultural background, socioeconomic level, health status, gender, sexuality
Terminology used by the community to describe the group
Positive
- Unfortunate |
Negative
- Burden - Dole Bludger |
Issues of Concern for the Four Specific Groups within the Community
Satisfaction of Needs
Specific needs of each group
Note:
Specific Needs = (SHESEA)
Safety and Security (S)
Health (H)
Education (E)
Sense of Identity (S)
Employment (E)
Adequate Standard of Living (A)
Specific Needs = (SHESEA)
Safety and Security (S)
Health (H)
Education (E)
Sense of Identity (S)
Employment (E)
Adequate Standard of Living (A)
Adequate standard of living (food, clothing, shelter)
Why is this need an issue of concern?
One of the main aspects of homelessness is that the individual is lacking a home in which they are adequately cared for, which would include physiological needs such as food and clothing. This is what is provided when homeless people access services such as emergency refuges. This is therefore the first need to be met in order to assist someone who is homeless. |
Implications if this need is not met
If this need is not met, the individual will be rather severely lacking in terms of physical health and wellbeing from malnourishment and lack of a clean and safe shelter. This would also damage their social well being as people would be less inclined to go near someone who is dirty and sick. |
Safety and security
Why is this need an issue of concern?
A lack of safety in security is another main aspect involved in homeless peoples’ lives, given the accepted definition of homelessness is that there is no safe lodging in which the individual can stay. This is a fundamental need that must be met in order to achieve any kind of contentedness or comfort in life as the individual wont be on edge so much |
Implications if this need is not met
If an individual is unable to fulfil this need they will not only be able to feel safe or secure but they will also be unable to maintain their physical wellbeing, as not meeting this need will cause vast amounts of stress which can have physical consequences, and their emotional wellbeing will suffer for the same reason |
Health
Why is this need an issue of concern?
Health in general is an important need to meet, and is often difficult for the homeless as they may be in unsanitary lodging, such as on the streets or squatting in an old building, which leads to illnesses and disease. The conditions in which they live their lives can also affect mental health, which is just as important to an individual. |
Implications if this need is not met
If this need is not met, all areas of wellbeing in general declines rather significantly, most specifically physical and emotional wellbeing as the physical and mental health is affected. This lack of health can lead to severe illness or disease which can result in death |
Education
Why is this need an issue of concern?
Education to those within the homeless cycle is important as it is a pathway to breaking the cycle, to gain employment and afford to provide themselves with an adequate standard of living, safety and security and ensure their health |
Implications if this need is not met
Without this need being met, the individuals may be unable to ensure their economic wellbeing, which would in turn deteriorate their physical wellbeing as they are unable to provide themselves with food |
Employment
Why is this need an issue of concern?
Employment, as mentioned, is a path to escaping the homeless cycle and being able to fulfil all of their needs and set up a better future for their children or other family members. This is also a means to provide themselves with a sense of identity, which would be rather significant to the homeless |
Implications if this need is not met
See above. Plus, the individuals’ emotional wellbeing will suffer from a lack of identifying feature, leaving them labelled as ‘homeless’ rather than something more uplifting such as a job title |
Sense of identity
Why is this need an issue of concern?
A sense of identity is one of the most effective ways to ensure good emotional health and wellbeing, which will in turn benefit all areas of wellbeing |
Implications if this need is not met
Emotional wellbeing will suffer most as a lack of sense of identity will leave the individual experiencing feelings of depression |
Access to Services
Types of services, eg financial support, transport, accommodation and housing, health care, counselling, education, employment, legal aid
Note:
Types of Services = (FATLEECH)
Financial (F)
Accommodation (A)
Transport (T)
Legal aid (L)
Education (E)
Employment (E)
Counselling (C)
Healthcare (H)
Types of Services = (FATLEECH)
Financial (F)
Accommodation (A)
Transport (T)
Legal aid (L)
Education (E)
Employment (E)
Counselling (C)
Healthcare (H)
Factors affecting access to services
Characteristics of individuals within the group, eg age, gender, level of education, culture, type of disability, first language spoken, socioeconomic status
Note:
Characteristics = (CALFSTooGood)
Culture (C)
Age (A)
Level of Education (L)
First Language Spoken (F)
Socioeconomic Status (S)
Type of Disability (T)
Gender (G)
Characteristics = (CALFSTooGood)
Culture (C)
Age (A)
Level of Education (L)
First Language Spoken (F)
Socioeconomic Status (S)
Type of Disability (T)
Gender (G)
Resources, eg time, money, energy, knowledge
Note:
Resources = (KMET) (Like Kmart)
Knowledge (K)
Money (M)
Energy (E)
Time (T)
Resources = (KMET) (Like Kmart)
Knowledge (K)
Money (M)
Energy (E)
Time (T)
How does time help homeless people access services?
- Easier to access services in opening hours due to their bounds of free time
- Usually they don't have multiple role expectations (e.g. no family or work) leaving them more time to find and access support services
What are the implications of not having enough time to access services for the homeless?
- Time management may be poor due to a lack of motivation
- May have an irregular sleep pattern during the night making them tired during the day
- May not have much consideration for deadlines and appointments as there is more on their mind
- Lack of a sense of time because of a lack of structure to the day
How does money help homeless people access services?
- They can access public transport, which is relatively inexpensive in comparison to having your own car or a taxi, in order to travel to access more remote services
- Move from an overcrowded shelter into a government house
- Having finance improves access to health care as they do not have a Medicare card
- May be able to access a better quality of legal aid rather than basic advice or pro bono services
- Having money to buy nice clothes to attend interviews allows them to access employment services or employment in general
- Having money will allow the individual to not rely so heavily on donated food, such as the Vinnies Van, and can purchase his or her own food, improving physical wellbeing
What are the implications of not having enough money to access services for the homeless?
- Unable to pay for paid services in general (can lead to mental health issues)
- Rely on donations (decrease emotional wellbeing)
- Condition may worsen and the likelihood of breaking the cycle will decrease
How does energy help homeless people access services?
- Energy levels and physical stamina from not having work or other commitments allows homeless people to access services (walking around, etc)
What are the implications of not having enough energy to access services for the homeless?
- Teenagers who are homeless may be unable to access education or other services because they are unmotivated once the energy used just to survive is used up
- Inadequate sleep resulting in a lack of energy will prevent them from accessing services
- Less energy levels and lack of stamina may prevent them from walking and so they must resort to other modes of transport
How does knowledge help homeless people access services?
- Having knowledge and being educated results in awareness of services available to them
- Higher levels of education allows homeless people to qualify for more employment opportunities
- Being younger when an individual becomes homeless would have less like experience and are therefore less likely to be aware of the services available, while someone older may have met or come across people in this situation and will therefore know what services are available
- Many organisations offer training programs to the homeless in order for them to have the knowledge to then access services they previously couldn’t
What are the implications of not having enough knowledge to access services for the homeless?
- Being younger and unknowledgeable may lead to being taken advantage of in terms of getting a job to try and earn some money and they may be underpaid and not know about it
- Someone who is illiterate they would not be able to fill out forms in order to apply for services such as a job or school
- Easier to access services in opening hours due to their bounds of free time
- Usually they don't have multiple role expectations (e.g. no family or work) leaving them more time to find and access support services
What are the implications of not having enough time to access services for the homeless?
- Time management may be poor due to a lack of motivation
- May have an irregular sleep pattern during the night making them tired during the day
- May not have much consideration for deadlines and appointments as there is more on their mind
- Lack of a sense of time because of a lack of structure to the day
How does money help homeless people access services?
- They can access public transport, which is relatively inexpensive in comparison to having your own car or a taxi, in order to travel to access more remote services
- Move from an overcrowded shelter into a government house
- Having finance improves access to health care as they do not have a Medicare card
- May be able to access a better quality of legal aid rather than basic advice or pro bono services
- Having money to buy nice clothes to attend interviews allows them to access employment services or employment in general
- Having money will allow the individual to not rely so heavily on donated food, such as the Vinnies Van, and can purchase his or her own food, improving physical wellbeing
What are the implications of not having enough money to access services for the homeless?
- Unable to pay for paid services in general (can lead to mental health issues)
- Rely on donations (decrease emotional wellbeing)
- Condition may worsen and the likelihood of breaking the cycle will decrease
How does energy help homeless people access services?
- Energy levels and physical stamina from not having work or other commitments allows homeless people to access services (walking around, etc)
What are the implications of not having enough energy to access services for the homeless?
- Teenagers who are homeless may be unable to access education or other services because they are unmotivated once the energy used just to survive is used up
- Inadequate sleep resulting in a lack of energy will prevent them from accessing services
- Less energy levels and lack of stamina may prevent them from walking and so they must resort to other modes of transport
How does knowledge help homeless people access services?
- Having knowledge and being educated results in awareness of services available to them
- Higher levels of education allows homeless people to qualify for more employment opportunities
- Being younger when an individual becomes homeless would have less like experience and are therefore less likely to be aware of the services available, while someone older may have met or come across people in this situation and will therefore know what services are available
- Many organisations offer training programs to the homeless in order for them to have the knowledge to then access services they previously couldn’t
What are the implications of not having enough knowledge to access services for the homeless?
- Being younger and unknowledgeable may lead to being taken advantage of in terms of getting a job to try and earn some money and they may be underpaid and not know about it
- Someone who is illiterate they would not be able to fill out forms in order to apply for services such as a job or school
Aspects of the service, eg opening hours, confidentiality, location, staffing
Note:
Aspects of the Service = (COLS)
Confidentiality (C)
Opening Hours (O)
Location (L)
Staffing (S)
Aspects of the Service = (COLS)
Confidentiality (C)
Opening Hours (O)
Location (L)
Staffing (S)
Confidentiality Opening Hours Location Staffing |
Explain
Homeless people often have a lowered sense of self. This means they feel that they are a burden on society or maybe embarrassed by their situation. Many organisations carefully select their stuff to prevent the feat and irrational thought patterns and mental illnesses of the homeless person. Homeless people use daytime and sunlight hours to sleep as they may feel threatened in large crowds or anxious, which could prevent having the energy or time to access services. Limited transport options available to the homeless, particularly women with young children, make it difficult to access many services. Small offices or buildings may also be difficult as many homeless people carry their ‘home’ with them. If a homeless individual can physically access a suitable service, they may come across various barriers once inside with staff being unsympathetic in regards to their (financial) situation or poorly trained, especially if there are cultural barriers in place. One bad experience at a particular agency can change a homeless person’s perception on all providers and may demotivate them from accessing the services in the future |
Specific Example
Services such as Salvation Army is run by volunteers who give up their free time to try and help individuals who are unable to need all aspect of well being by theirselve. With over 334 officers in victoria and 105 salvos stores. The means that for homeless people in victoria they are able to go into a store and ask for help. If a homeless person does feel vulnerable or anxious in crowds they may choose to sleep during the day and miss services’ opening hours that are in a regular time frame (9-5) Services in major centres, such as Anglicare located on High Street in central Penrith, only have small spaced available to them and so are difficult for some homeless people carrying a lot with them to access. It is, however, in close proximity to the station, making it easier to travel to the service for some people. In services such as Medicare, where there are various outlets with different employees and some staff members may not have the most advanced training in regards to how to approach different individuals and their circumstances, while portraying no sense of sympathy or positive attitude towards them in regards to helping homeless individuals financially and medically due to the stereotypical perspective of homeless people in relation to drugs, alcohol and gambling addictions |
Impact on Homeless
Homeless people who are using this services are able to gain trust with selected stores who are willing to show empathy, patience and professionalism which are essential if the homeless are to feel safe to share their details and access resources in the future. If a homeless person cannot access community services such as salvation army or free counselors they can miss out. Negatively impacting their emotional and physical wellbeing as they are not receiving the mental and physical support they need to better themselves. These services being available in major areas make it easier for the homeless to access in many ways or at the very least know about these services, therefore improving physical and mental wellbeing as they are able to access these services to support them and improve wellbeing. Staff members being friendly, sympathetic to individuals and their situations and providing guidance and support can increase the possibility of homeless individuals seeking further assistance and guidance in other services that can benefit their other various wellbeing aspects to improve their quality of life and increase the opportunity to break the cycle of homelessness |