Homelessness affects every county in the world. Natural disasters are unstoppable forces which displace many people from their homes leading to homelessness. People have nowhere to go when a catastrophe destroys their communities. They have no choice but to make do with little they have. Based on national reports, it’s estimated that no less than 150 million people, or about 2 percent of the world’s population, are homeless to some extent. 1.6 billion, more than 20 percent of the world’s population, may lack adequate housing. Homelessness is the result of economic and social factors in the labour market, in education, in housing policies, in social security, and changes in family structure. Poverty is a principal reason which strangely afflicts even the most prosperous countries in the world. Pandemic poverty is pushing millions in India and many other countries into homelessness.
Migration from rural to
urban areas is a common occurrence in Asian nations. People migrate from their
rural homes towards urban cities in hopes of a better life. They dream of better
employment opportunities and facilities like education. Since only slums are
available, and they have no choice but to settle for a life of homelessness.
Discrimination is yet
another social aspect that contributes to homelessness. The two most glaring
reasons appear to be mental sickness and old age. Mentally disabled people are
affected most because they find it difficult to maintain ties. Thousands of
schizophrenic individuals go homeless. Homelessness has been common among people
of old age. Many elderly individuals abandoned by their families, especially if
they are sick.
Mega-cities face the greatest problems with
homelessness. These cities are the urban centers which attract the rural masses.
The migrants have no choice but to settle for whatever little they can have.
They end up living in flimsy shelters made of cardboard or wood. You can also
find them on pavements, under flyovers, or on the streets. Homeless women and
children are abused sexually. Their condition becomes a stigma in society.
People rarely treat them with respect and tend to avoid them.
Homelessness is a crisis in
India, one of the world’s largest economies. In fact, inequality of condition is
widespread in India, which is the second most
unequal country in the world. Its high rate of homelessness stands as a
testament to this grim reality. Homelessness has also been common among people
of old age. Many elderly individuals are abandoned by their families.