Homelessness Issue

Q's:
1.) Is there homelessness in every state?
2.) What are some of the most relevant causes of homelessness?
3.) How much government funding goes to prevention/management in helping the homeless.. specifically in PA.

*When I lived in the city with my dad we used to see people who either seemed homeless or we knew to be homeless on the streets.  My dad knew a couple of them from outside of Wawa who were Vietnam War Vets but he also knew a couple from other location who were assumed panhandlers.  Those were the kinds of drug addicts who would use/abuse their status as homeless to scam people out of charity and use the money for personal desire, for example drug purchases.


 "According to 2010 Census data, 14.3% of people nationwide are living in poverty.  For the state of Ohio, the rate is 13.6%, but in Athens county, our poverty rate is a shocking 32.8% (Poverty guideline for Athens county is $22,050/year for a family of 4)."  It seems to me from the research I have completed that the 3 main core reasons for homelessness to come about has to do with health issues, substance abuse issues and return from military service (Transitioning from youth to adulthood).  Recently, the number of Americans with no health insurance has been reported at over 50 million.  A major health crisis can be financially ruinous.  While government programs exist to help people with chronic disabling health problems, there is little help while a person goes through the long application process to get such assistance.  People who are too disabled to work can anticipate at least a six months application process for Social Security Disability, but often the appeal process can take two years, leaving many people who qualify for help destitute (and often homeless) in the interim.By no means does every homeless person have a substance abuse problem, but SAMHSA estimates that 38% of people who are homeless are alcohol dependent, and 26% abuse other substances.  The problems that come from long term substance abuse engulf the abuser’s entire life.  Their habit is illegal and leads to more illegal activity, meaning time in and out of jail.  Abuse has a negative impact on a person’s ability to work and maintain relationships.  It also causes chronic health problems and the spread of diseases like Hepatitis.  Southeast Ohio is currently experiencing an epidemic of substance abuse.  “Overdoses surpassed car accidents in 2007 as the leading cause of accidental death in Ohio,” (Andrew Welsh-Huggins, AP article). Donating to various charities or directly helping to build shelters, serve food, and even helping a homeless person to get back on track can all help solve this sad and unnecessary dilemma.  There are many organizations which can help homelessness in a larger and more gigantic scale, even certain government projects assist the cause.  America doesn't need homelessness.
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/MRC/SocialIssues.html#homeless

http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/foradults/homelessassistance/index.htm


http://www.good-works.net/Why_Do_%20People_Become_Homeless.htm