Homelessness

Statistics

In 1994, the U.S. Conference of mayors reported a 21% increase in requests form families for shelter. Researchers indicate that these families are usually headed by women and that their children are often preschoolers. Projections are that in the future most of the homeless in the United States will be single mother with children (Vladeck, 1990). Currently, it is estimated that women make up 20%-25% of homeless adults. Single-parent families, mostly headed by females, have grown to represent approximately 43% of the total homeless population, and are considered the fastest growing segment (Shane, 1995).

Why they are homeless

For many women, homelessness follows years of violence and abuse. Women make up 25 percent of the homeless individuals seen by Health Care for Homeless projects nationally (Brickner, Sharer, Conanan, & Scanlan, 1990)

Homeless women are often fleeing from family violence and other forms of victimization, such as abuse by their family of origin (Montgomery, 1994).

Almost half of the homeless in previous studies reported experiences with abuse or other violence (Clarke, Williams, Percy, & Kim, 1995) and the relationship between abuse and homelessness was more profound for women (Lopez & Gary, 1995).

In the case of homelessness, the chain of causation for many women included the links of violence, poverty, substance abuse, and mental illness (Freire, 1993).

Other issues

Many homeless women also suffer from mental health problems. Researchers indicate that these women have high rates of assault by male partners and have often experienced childhood physical and sexual abuse. Such circumstances have a long-term effect on emotions, self-perceptions, social functioning, and self-care (Browne, 1993).

A study of 330 homeless women in St. Louis, Missouri revealed that 34% met the criteria for a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder; 74%, moreover, developed the syndrome before becoming homeless (North & Smith, 1992).

Clearly, a battered woman's search for safety must be protected as a basic human right. Social services for battered women are still not adequate, accessible, or appropriate (Davis, Hagen, & Early, 1994).

For many women, homelessness follows years of violence and abuse which undermines their self-esteem, contributes to the pain of powerlessness, and reinforces the social invisibility of their lives.

"I used to wander and roam just like you oh my aching feet just the thought, where do you find the strength and I wonder if you are living there in your spot to spot disconnected dots for the same reason to be safe and free just like me, at least glance, I try to discipline myself to be a passerby; to be the disciplined indifferent passerby takes so much effort and I cry, but you cannot see me, for I am invisible to you" (Wolfe, 1997).

"Women only" shelter offered freedom from sexual harassment and victimization. If you became homeless, would you have access to healthcare, including contraception and prenatal care? A new study had documented that over half of teenagers and young women who are homeless become pregnant (Off Our Backs, 1998).

Is there Hope and How to Help

One of the provisions of The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (signed by President Clinton into law on September 13, 1994) is interstate enforcement of protection orders and to provide grants for battered women's shelters.

Websites--More inforamation:

Resources

Back to Women and Global Human Rights page