Sample Sociology Paper on Analysis of Homelessness

Interview Questions

1. What is the reason behind your state of homelessness and how long have you been here?
2. What special challenges do you face?
3. Do you have any family support?
4. Do you think the government is doing enough to solve the issue of homelessness?
5. What do you think can be done to prevent and manage homelessness?

Analysis

Homelessness is a complex issue attributed to economic factors, mental illness, and drug abuse. However, while this problem can be caused by numerous factors, extreme poverty is at the center of all the causal factors. I conducted an interview with three homeless individuals to find out the causes of their homelessness, their experiences in the shelters, and their opinions about solutions to homelessness. The first respondent, Rachael, is a 38 year old black female living in one of the local shelters. The second respondent, Greg, is a 30 year old white male living in a different local shelter.  The third one, Ryan, is a 20 year Hispanic male who regularly sleeps out in the streets. I chose individuals of diverse ages, races, and different genders to ensure the data I collect are convenient to relate it in a larger social context. The interview was done in their respective settings. The following is a transcription of their responses.

Rachael

1. I have been homeless for two years now. I decided to live in the shelter due to domestic violence yet I had no source of income to afford housing.
2. The constant search of temporary shelter, food shortage, vulnerability to sexual abuse, and poor health,
3. My family members are willing to help but most of them are extremely poor.
4. Governmental programs are limited due to the large numbers of homeless people.
5. More efforts from both governmental and private organizations to support the homeless people. The community can also help the poor people suffering in the shelters and the streets.

Greg

1. I have lived in the shelters for a year now. I was working casual jobs that could hardly sustain me so, I chose to stay in the shelters.
2. I struggle to find shelters since most of them are temporary. Other problems I face include health risks, safety issues, and inadequate food.
3. I have been isolated by most of my family members because they view me as a failure.
4. The available governmental programs for the homeless people are not enough.
5. The government can increase its resource allocation towards homelessness. Community leaders can also mobilize individuals to help the less privileged especially the homeless.

Ryan

1. I have lived on the streets since I was 17 years. I got addicted to drugs and my mother kicked me out.
2. I mostly sleep out in the cold, struggle to find food, get exposed to health risks, and experience regular sexual harassment.
3. Being a single mother, my mother has a lot of responsibilities because I have three siblings.
4. The programs are not helpful
5. I need the government to help young homeless people like me by offering us jobs.

Analysis

From the interviews, low income, domestic violence, and drug abuse were the factors behind homelessness. However, poverty is at the center of all these causes. Poverty has been the main cause of homelessness. The government can provide job training and placement programs to help individuals to secure stable, long-time employment. Models like permanent supportive housing, rapid re-housing, housing choice voucher programs and public housing are solutions to better housing (National Alliance to End Homelessness).  Lastly, the government and NGOs can also work collaboratively to ensure there are enough programs to prevent and manage domestic violence and substance use.

Works Cited

National Alliance to End Homelessness. What Causes Homelessness? National Alliance to End Homelessness. Homelessness in America. https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/what-causes-homelessness/