Introduction
Homelessness in OahuIn Oahu, there is a challenge of homelessness which has been experienced for years now. The problem has grown worse over the years. Some people have lived in such a state for a better part of their lives. Most people who are homeless stay in Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands. Most of the homeless people can be spotted in the beach packs and along the coastlines. When the government implemented a sit-lie-ban in the areas dominated by tourists, along the Waikiki area, they moved to the poverty-stricken Western parts. Institute for Human Services runs several shelters in cooperation with other organizations to help the homeless with medical care and other few housing solutions (Gray, 2020). The Institute for Human Services reports that people are becoming more homeless at a rate higher than they are getting out of it. Some of the factors that lead to the housing challenge include the absence of affordable housing, insufficient support for both the physically and mentally ill, and an epidemic which resulted from the use of synthetic drugs. Also, other factors include the migration to Hawaii with misconceptions about the potential opportunities that are present in Hawaii (tang, 2014). When they get to Hawaii, they are shocked to find out that there are no relevant opportunities, and they end up spending and running out of money then they become homeless. Other factors include the discharge of prisoners without putting in place any safety net.
Nature of the problemPotential causesThe high cost of living and affordability problemsThere is the existence of cutbacks in social services which was predominant especially in the time of George Bush. The people around this place are stuck with personal problems while others are undergoing trauma. There is a section of people from among the group who believe that they did not choose to be homeless. Instead, they were pushed into that state by circumstances. The issue is further propagated by the economic situations in the area. The islands are a popular destination for tourists as well as a lucrative region for investors who have an eye for the real estate industry (Tang, 2014). The area is famous for rapid inflations with an exceptionally high cost of living. The high cost of living is partly responsible for the shortage of affordable housing for the residents. The shortage of housing is especially prevalent among low and medium-income earners who are struggling.
The shortage of housing is visible through two perspectives which are quality of housing and affordability. Both factors are evident in the situation of Oahu in Hawaii. The two are linked and independent of one another at the same time. However, affordability is far-reaching even in those who are in both proper housing and poor housing. At the most basic level, affordability is the absence of proper housing that the residents can comfortably manage in the current economic capabilities and state (Lee, Tyler & Wright, 2010). Affordability challenges equally have the potential to propel increased residential mobility and goes even further to affect the education sector. For the families who are concerned about the quality aspect of housing, they spend a lot on housing rent alone to an extent where they have very little remaining to manage other needs such as food, childcare, healthcare, and clothing.
The misconception of potential opportunitiesThere is a misconception, especially among the people that move to Hawaii that they will get luxurious jobs and a better life. Generally, people have high goals and ambitions which they seek to fulfill. These people are motivated by the drive to get a better life, and they are willing to go to great lengths which include shifting their current location into newer places. There are also others who are moving because they believe in the economic integration that results from the movement (Lee, Tyler & Wright, 2010). In most cases, the people that shift are typically low skilled and are only motivated by the prospect of an economic opportunity. Usually, they move in search of work in construction, domestic service industry, and plantations, among others. There is the likelihood that higher salaried jobs are available, but most times, they are open to qualified locals.
There have been movements and measures employed to facilitate mobility; however, the procedures and policies are limited to only a certain level of skilled professionals such as dentists, doctors, engineers, tourism professionals, and architects among others. There are other barriers such as lengthy and costly recruitment processes with restrictive quotas (Mitchell, 2011). The employment policies are equally constrictive and impact on the possibility of these people who move into Oahu in search of such opportunities. The policies that are restrictive are possibly in place due to the possible detrimental impact on the economy of the local when there is an influx from outside, although recent studies are yet to confirm this notion. The influx has a significant impact on labor mobility and in the economy of the region as the migrants raise the income of the locals by utilizing their services.
Insufficient Support for Physically and Mentally Ill
It is a common occurrence in most parts of the world for mentally ill patients to be homeless. The same goes for even physically sick and are not receiving proper treatment. There are poor healthcare systems, especially for those who are experiencing a hard time with finances. In most cases, when an individual is ill, they tend to be incapacitated to work or carry out their daily routines effectively. Most of the people who live in Oahu were not born there, and they moved due to various reasons. These people do not have a stable central support system. Also, some moved to Hawaii because of the weather, with very high temperatures, and thus it is easier to live outdoor. The people that moved to Oahu have thus formed families and grown into full communities. However, there are not proper jobs for these people who moved, and they end up in homeless shelters, with an inability to pay rent and afford other basics. With the low income, these people are unable to afford medical healthcare bills. Thus those who get ill, both physically and mentally do not have access to proper healthcare services. This makes life further harder than if they were in perfect health. When someone is mentally ill, they get detached from the general routines and are unable to make ends meet anymore, and thus if they were living in poor quality shelters, they are forced to move further lower.
The Epidemic From the Use of Synthetic Drugs
The trends that follow drug abuse is in a cyclic form where consumption patterns re-emerge from time to time. It is relevant that the dynamics surrounding drug use are understood for better response. The abuse of plat based drugs such as cocaine has the potential of creating the use of similar synthetic drugs. In the past decade, there has been a high surge in the use of synthetic drugs for recreational use. The uses of these synthetic drugs are fast spreading to the rest of the globe. Oahu is an area that promotes and is a high tourism based industry, and there is considerable social pressure into the use and abuse of these synthetic drugs. In Hawaii, drug abuse is a primary trigger of crimes in the region. One such addictive substance is crystal meth whose use has gained a lot of popularity in Hawaii. It is a synthetic drug that is a highly addictive stimulant and is said to cause feelings of euphoria, depression, and sometimes hallucinations. As the drug wears off, one may experience physical weakness. The social workers project that if the abuse continues, most of the households in Oahu will be affected either directly or indirectly (Narendorf, 2018). In the case where the drug leads to depression, the people lose their ability to work correctly and can create some new people who were stable financially to be unable to afford housing rent and thus go homeless.
The affected parties and justification for the problemThe homeless people in Hawaii are not only a problem for themselves but also to the rest of the other people elsewhere. The government has spent most of its funds trying to fix the problem. Many have benefitted from the projects, although there is still a large number that is still out in the streets. There have been legislations regarding these homeless people and have affected the booming tourism industry. There have been legislations such as the one that was enacted in 2014 which made it illegal to lie or sit in public sidewalks, a move that shook the tourism slightly (Wagner, 2014). Other states copied Waikiki and imposed the same legislation. The move could easily lead to the perpetual displacement of homeless people. The rest of the country is also affected since part of the taxpayers' money is used to facilitate projects that are aimed at helping homeless people.
Social work methods and resources that can solve the problemThe issue of homelessness is one that requires immediate intervention. There are various social work methods that can be employed to solve the problem. From research, there are projections of several strategies that have worked in the past with a great success rate. Some of these include the creation of job opportunities for the homeless (Somerville, 2013). Another means can be through increasing the income that these individuals get. The individuals also need social support systems, good medical healthcare, and affordable housing.
Research has found that if households that know the intricacies of social service systems and the manner in which they can use them stand a better position in securing housing for themselves. Characteristics and personal traits such as determination, persistence, enthusiasm, great resolve, among other success associated traits do not play a significant role in the acquisition of proper housing. The difference that primarily exists between people who have homes and those that do not is the availability of resources. To help these people, it is imperative to facilitate procedures and policies that can be used to create job opportunities (Somerville, 2013). For instance, the tourism industry is the most lucrative one in the area. The government, together with the social problem-solving agencies and organizations should work something out to create a way in which these people can also tap into the tourism industry. When these people experience an increase in income, they are in a better position to manage the various bills, especially paying housing rent and food. People should also be provided with better medical healthcare and support. It is critical that they have social support as well, especially to those who have mental illnesses.
