Homelessness as a Public National Issue Essay
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Added on 2020-07-22
Homelessness as a Public National Issue Essay
Added on 2020-07-22
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INTRODUCTIONHomelessness refers to the problem in which people are not having housing facilities. Itis considered as one of the biggest national issue for the citizen of Australia. Under this situation,homeless people are not provided with sufficient aid to maintain their fundamental living. Thetraditional approach of the law, involves the notion of ‘equality’ in law which eradicatediscrimination by pursuing equal treatment for everyone under the law. However, formalequality failed in addressing the underlying issue of those who are in disadvantage. Therefore,application of certain laws may be recognised as discriminatory law as it discriminates a certaingroup of people in the society. The focus of considering this essay is to determine thestructuralinjustice faced by people affected by homelessness.This essay will examine the structural injustice faced by homeless people throughdefining homelessness, analysing several major causes of homelessness, evaluating someestablished laws in different levels of government which unequally affect homeless people incomparison to the public highlighting the Public offence law and provide a possible solution totackle homelessness.Definition of homelessnessChamberlain and McKenzie’s 1purposed definition of homelessness is divided into threemajor segments: primary, secondary and tertiary homelessness. Primary homelessness isidentified by the characteristic of individuals who do not have access to conventional household,for example the people who are living on the streets. Secondary homelessness is those whoreside in a short-term or ‘crisis’ household, victims of domestic violence are often categorized inthis classification. Tertiary homelessness refers to the people who cannot afford stableaccommodation and live in shared houses in a long period of time. They are typically identifiedas low-income earners and have a seasonal occupation. In this essay, primary homelessness is thetarget audience of the solution. Being homeless can create large impact on the affected individual’s lifestyle, health, andsafety which ultimately, impact the society. Campaign and protests are made to protect thehomeless people’s right, as it is their fundamental human right 2. 1Chamberlain and McKenzie, above n 1.2Dowse, L., Wiese, M. and Smith, L., 2016. Workforce issues in the Australian National DisabilityInsurance Scheme: Complex support needs ready?. Research and Practice in Intellectual andDevelopmental1
Causes of homelessnessThere were various causes that contributed to the growing number of homelessness suchas poverty, low income sources, long-term and short-term unemployment. Along with externalpressures such as high rental cost, low real estate development growth and essential livingexpenses.Impact of homelessnessAccording to the records of Census, in 2001 Approx. 100, 000 people were homeless inAustralia, 10% were under 12 years, 36% belongs to the age group of 12 to 14, 30% from 25 to44 years and 24% were greater than 45 years.3Another most affected group is identified as Australian women. According to the report ABS,out of total population of Australia 42% percentage are considered as homeless female.4 This hascreated a major impact on the safety and security of these women resulting in cases like rape andviolence. The major factor of female homelessness is domestic violence, family duress andsexual assault, due to these reason, they had no choice but to leave their home to guarantee theirsafety. 5Discriminatory impact of laws on homeless peopleAs mentioned in the introduction, the foundation of law is on the basis on equality –everyone under the law is treated equality regardless of race, sex and background.6 However, itoften put the interest of the majority public interest before the special disadvantaged group,hence the disadvantaged population are subject to burden, but not the benefits, of the law.7Different levels of governments in Australia have various law that is against homeless people.Disabilities.3(1).Pp.54-64.3Australian Bureau of Statistics, Counting the Homeless 2001,2003,p4.<http://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/free.nsf/0/5AD852F13620FFDCCA256DE2007D81FE/$File/20500_2001.pdf>4Ibid5Orr, G. and Gauja, A., 2014. Third-Party Campaigning and Issue-Advertising in Australia. AustralianJournal of Politics & History. 60(1). Pp.73-926Leiboff, M. & Thomas, M. 2014, Legal theories: contexts and practices, 2nd ed., Thomas Reuters, Rozelle,N.S.W., PP.486-4887Leiboff, M. & Thomas, M. 2014, Legal theories: contexts and practices, 2nd ed., Thomas Reuters, Rozelle,N.S.W., PP.4862
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