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Race and Homelessness
Lisa Juliano
Sociology 322
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An individual who lacks housing is considered to be homeless (Henry).
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, in January 2013, in a single
night, there was an estimated amount of 610,042 individuals experiencing
homelessness (Carter). When discussing homelessness, people unfortunately often
ignore the question of whether or not race is a factor. In the United States, because
of the nations history with racism, African Americans are overrepresented in the
homeless population.
Throughout all the readings we have read in class, it is obvious that race
plays an important role in ones life and has the ability to affect a persons life
chances. Today, because of the economic issues that the nation has been facing, the
rate of poverty has increased. African Americans represent an estimated forty-two
percent of the homeless population compared to eleven percent of the general
population (Nunez). Studies have shown that nearly one-quarter of African
American families live in poverty, this is three times more then that of white
families. With housing prices and rent increasing, the poverty rate, which again is
mostly African Americans, are then the ones being put on the streets. Poverty and
the economy play a huge factor in ones status and this can be taken back in time.
Throughout the history in the United States, African Americans have been
mistreated. This mistreatment and discrimination has then effected the generations
after them. Another factor that has affected one status is transformative assets.
Transformative assets are assets such as a house, education, or inheritance that has
been passed down from parents and grandparents. Shapiro argues that is has
helped white people get ahead. This is said because these inheritances in which they
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have received are ones in which they did not have to work for. They were given
these items and opportunities with no cost. During this time period, African
Americans did not hold a position to have or earn these assets to help future
generations out. These assets are seen as a head start that has helped out other
generations form their status in society but unfortunately were not an option for
African Americans. This is then argued to be part of the reason why so many African
Americans live in poverty like conditions, inner cities, and don’t have the job
opportunities because of the lack of education. Although the past is the past, it still
has an impact on some families today.
It is believed that poverty and transformative assets have affected African
Americans and their status and homelessness condition. Along with these factors,
housing discrimination and residential segregation has also been shown the affect
the lives of African Americans. Residential segregation, according to Ralph da Costa
Nunez, isolates African Americans into areas that lack employment, experiences
higher rate of crimes, poverty like conditions, and have low high school graduation
rates. These factors then increase the risk of homelessness and also affect the future
of the children leaving in these conditions. It becomes a cycle that is quite difficult to
break. Along with residential segregation, housing discrimination is also a huge
problem. Housing discrimination is when people are treated unequally when trying
to buy, rent, or lease a home. Characteristics that affect this are ones race, class, sex,
religion, and status. Although this is not as big of a problem to this day, it still has
negatively affected people, especially African Americans. Without fair living
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conditions, this pushes people away from areas that have an environment, which is
thriving.
The current economic hardship that the United States has jeopardized
socioeconomic statues amongst all classes. Since the economy is so unstable
between the housing opportunities and job market, the homeless population has
increased. Society tends to stereotype those who are homeless as a person who is
lazy, on drugs, mentally ill, or does not want help. This however is not the case for
poverty and homeless can and does affect anyone. These conditions however do
affect some more than others. With our nations history of racism and discrimination
it is not all that surprising that African Americans make up a large portion of those
living in poverty. African Americans have not had the same housing opportunities,
education, or even transformative assets as that of other races. These factors all
have a negative impact on ones status is society. It is difficult to rise out of poverty
but together as a society, the homeless population can be reduced.
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References
Carter, George. 2011. “From Exclusion to Destitution: Race, Affordable
Housing, and Homelessness.” U.S. Census Bureau.
Henry, Meghan. 2013. “The 2013 Annual Homeless Assessment Report.” The
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Nunez, Ralph. 2012. “Homelessness as a Racial Matter: Why Are Black
Families Over-represented in Homeless Shelters? “ Huffington Post, March 14.
Shapiro, George. 2012. “Transformative Assets, the Racial Wealth Gap, and
the American Dream.” Rethinking the Color Line.