# data[].attributes.body
Federal Government resources:
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
Department of Housing and Urban Development 2021 Annual Homeless Assessment Report

National Advocacy Groups:
The National Coalition for the Homeless

The National Alliance to End Homelessness

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
HOMESHOW - National Coalition for the Homeless

# data[].attributes.headline
“...a crisis of men let loose from all the habits of domestic life, wandering without aim or home.”

# data[].attributes.subject
“...a crisis of men let loose from all the habits of domestic life, wandering without aim or home.”

# data[].attributes.body
Homelessness in America was not a societal problem until the 1870s, when the newly constructed transcontinental railroad system allowed young men to escape the overcrowded East Coast cities and "ride the rails" west in search of their fortune. Though these men were called "tramps" and "hobos", their lack of a permanent home was seen by many as romantic or adventurous. Many others, particularly conservative religious groups, denounced the lifestyle as immoral and stated that these men were living against the laws of nature by refusing to create a stable home and have a family. By the 1930s and the onset of the Great Depression, public opinion on homelessness in America was solidly negative. Homeless men were seen as lazy at best and criminals at worst, and were vilified in popular books, music, and movies. World War II stimulated the American economy with jobs and stability, and the homelessness epidemic in America was staunched for some time on the back of the social programs enacted under the New Deal¹.

# data[].attributes.body
Homelessness did not become a crisis again in American until the 1980s when a combination of economic recession and conservative social policies coincided to cause a spike in homelessness nationwide. Medicaid funds to provide hospitalization for the homeless, particularly the mentally ill, were cut, and many patients were discharged directly to the streets because they had no other home. A tightening of requirements to receive Social Security Disability payments resulted in many people who relied on those payments to meet basic needs facing eviction and homelessness. The AIDS epidemic of the 80s and 90s disproportionately affected the homeless community, which furthered the American public's growing disgust with homeless persons, who began to be seen almost exclusively as "crazy" or as drug addicts. These social attitudes largely persist to this day, and are a constant impediment to creating real lasting change in the homelessness problem¹.

# data[].attributes.body
According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development's 2021 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, over 325,000 American citizens were found to be experiencing some level of homelessness, with nearly 11,000 of those here in Arizona. Some estimates from advocacy groups place the number at more than 500,000 people, and education advocacy groups stress the effect that inadequate housing has on children's ability to achieve in school.

# data[].attributes.body
Here in Cochise County we have an estimated homeless population of around 100 people at any given time, but that count primarily includes those persons who live outdoors in camps such as the one pictured above. Many other forms of homelessness and housing insecurity exist, but are much harder to track because they maintain the outward appearance of being housed. People who are staying in long-term motels, staying with extended friends or family, in overcrowded housing, transitioning from an abusive home, transitioning from incarceration, or living illegally in abandoned buildings are all examples of situations not likely to be tracked by official methods, and there are many more.

# data[].attributes.body
A quick way to help in your community is to contact local shelters and agencies to find out what is currently needed. Whether time or resources, small contributions can make all the difference. Whatever you decide, the most important thing you can do is to remember that homeless people are PEOPLE, and they deserve respect. The links below can help you get started:

Cochise County Homeless Shelters
Good Neighbor Alliance
Bisbee Coalition For The Homeless