The Issue

                         Every Person Deserves Shelter, Dignity, and Hope 

                              Tysheania Lee, Jasmine Finley, Nicole Walker 

     Department of Social Work, University of East Texas A&M Commerce

                        SWK 507: Organizations, Communities and Social Policy 

 

I. Introduction of a Social or Community Problem and the Purpose of Your Petition

Homelessness in the United States is not merely an economic issue; it is a matter of justice, equity, and human dignity. On any given night, more than 582,000 individuals experience homelessness, with a disproportionate burden on communities of color, survivors of domestic violence, and people with untreated mental illness (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2023). These disparities bring to light the systemic inequalities that have been ingrained within society. For instance, for low-income families, there is a growing gap between the availability of affordable housing (Phillips, 2024). This divide is widened by the high cost of everyday living expenses, making it difficult for them to secure stable housing, resulting in many being driven to the brink of homelessness.

Not only that, but research shows that homeless Americans often have a mental health illness such as depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia (Tarr, 2018). An increasing number of individuals remain undiagnosed, and many do not follow up with recommended treatment. Reasons include limited access to healthcare, lack of financial stability, or cultural beliefs that discourage Americans from seeking professional mental health services. As a result, about 60% to 80% of homeless Americans become victims of substance abuse, developing drug dependence or a concurrent disorder. Having untreated mental health conditions can hinder one’s ability to maintain stable housing (Bedmar et al., 2022).

Similarly, survivors of domestic violence are frequently pushed into homelessness after fleeing unsafe environments. One in four women reports partner abuse as their primary reason for homelessness (Graboys, 2024). According to the 2019 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, there are 60% more single women experiencing homelessness than the combined total of unaccompanied youth and veterans, which amounts to 72,123 (Turk, 2022).

Despite these structural causes, public opinion often attributes homelessness to personal failings. The Summary of Public Opinion Polling on Homelessness (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2024) found that 57% of Americans believe homelessness is caused by addiction, 52% by mental illness, and 36% by poor personal decisions. Such bias-driven stigma leads to discrimination in housing, healthcare, and employment (Reisner et al., 2025; Fields et al., 2025).

The purpose of this petition, “Every Person Deserves Shelter, Dignity, and Hope,” is to dismantle stigma, address systemic barriers, and advocate for policies that expand affordable housing, strengthen mental health services, and affirm housing as a human right.

 

II. Strategy to Address Social or Community Problem and Enhance Social Justice and Quality of Life

Structural Reform

A Housing First approach prioritizes permanent housing without preconditions, followed by supportive services. Studies show this method significantly reduces chronic homelessness and improves stability (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2023).

Bias Reduction and Advocacy

Stigma reduction must accompany policy reform. Community-wide awareness campaigns that share personal stories can counter negative media portrayals of homelessness (Sangiuliano, Moraes, & Howells, 2024). By humanizing the crisis, public support for equitable policies increases.

Community Empowerment

Strengthening social services—particularly mental health, healthcare, and employment resources—empowers individuals to achieve long-term stability. Research highlights that adults experiencing homelessness face reduced healthcare access, further deepening health disparities (Fields et al., 2025).

Theoretical Foundations

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs reminds us that basic needs for shelter, food, and safety must be met before individuals can achieve higher goals.

According to Systems Theory, individuals do not exist in isolation but function within interconnected systems—families, communities, organizations, and policies. When these systems break down, vulnerable individuals require structured support to survive and adapt. Shelters, therefore, serve as crucial entry points into broader networks of housing, healthcare, and social services. The National Alliance to End Homelessness (2023) emphasizes that emergency shelters are not endpoints but bridges that connect people experiencing homelessness to permanent housing and supportive services. Without these protective systems, individuals remain trapped in cycles of instability, unable to effectively negotiate or process their environment.

Successful Models

We aim to emulate successful programs in Dallas County, Texas; Los Angeles, California; and the State of California, where coordinated systems of care have demonstrated progress in reducing homelessness.

Dallas County has seen a 19% decline in homelessness since 2021, due in part to integrated care models that link housing with healthcare, employment, and supportive services (KERA News, 2024).
Los Angeles, California, has invested billions through initiatives like Measure H and Measure HHH, resulting in more than 119,000 people being placed into permanent housing since 2017 (Los Angeles County, 2024).
The State of California has implemented Housing First initiatives such as Housing for a Healthy California, which not only moved hundreds of long-term unhoused individuals into permanent housing but also lowered overall healthcare costs (UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, 2023).
  

III. Petition Support and Engagement

This petition will use both grassroots engagement and digital advocacy. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok will amplify awareness, while local town halls and community organizations will build partnerships.

By emphasizing that supportive housing reduces taxpayer costs—through fewer emergency visits, reduced law enforcement strain, and healthier neighborhoods (Nakphong et al., 2024)—the campaign appeals not only to compassion but also to fiscal responsibility. 

IV. Policies on Homelessness in Low-Rate Areas

Policies from Dallas County, Texas, highlight the importance of coordinated systems of care. While homelessness has risen nationally, Dallas and Collin Counties experienced a 19% decline in homelessness since 2021, with 3,718 people counted in 2024 (KERA News, 2024). This progress is linked to partnerships across housing, healthcare, and social services, demonstrating that integrated strategies can reduce reliance on emergency systems.

California has invested heavily in Housing First programs and permanent supportive housing. The Housing for a Healthy California initiative (2021–2022) successfully moved 230 long-term unhoused individuals into permanent housing, simultaneously reducing healthcare costs by decreasing emergency room visits and hospitalizations (UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, 2023). Statewide, more than 355,000 people accessed housing or services through California’s Homeless Data Integration System in 2024 (California BCSH, 2024).

At the city level, Los Angeles demonstrates both the challenges and opportunities of large-scale initiatives. Since 2017, Measure H funding has helped permanently house 119,433 people, with 44,129 placements directly tied to the measure (Los Angeles County, 2024). The 2025 homeless count revealed a 9.5% decrease in unsheltered homelessness across LA County and a 7.9% decrease in the City of Los Angeles, indicating that sustained investment can reverse long-standing upward trends (LAHSA, 2025).

By adopting the integrated care coordination of Dallas County, the state-level funding strategies of California, and the large-scale supportive housing initiatives of Los Angeles, North Texas can create a sustainable, humane response that reduces emergency costs and affirms housing as a human right. 

V. Conclusion and Call to Action

Homelessness is not a distant problem; it affects veterans, families with children, survivors of violence, and neighbors in every community. This petition urges policymakers to invest in affordable housing, expand mental health and addiction services, and reduce stigma that perpetuates cycles of poverty.

By signing this petition, you are demanding real action. You are standing up for solutions that expand affordable housing, strengthen mental health and addiction services, and provide support to keep families from being pushed into homelessness. Studies show that when communities invest in housing and supportive programs, they not only reduce homelessness but also save taxpayer dollars through fewer ER visits, less pressure on law enforcement, and safer, healthier neighborhoods. Housing is not a privilege it is a basic human right.

Your signature is more than just a name it’s a statement that every person deserves a safe place to call home. Together, we can build a future where no child has to do homework in the back seat of a car, no veteran is left to sleep on the streets, and no family has to wonder where they will lay their heads at night.

 

                                                                 References 

Bedmar, M. A., Bennasar-Veny, M., Artigas-Lelong, B., Salvà-Mut, F., Pou, J., Capitán-Moyano, L., García-Toro, M., & Yáñez, A. M. (2022, February 18). Health and access to healthcare in homeless people: Protocol for a mixed-methods study. Medicine. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9282039/ 

California Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency. (2024). Homeless Data Integration System (HDIS) annual report. https://bcsh.ca.gov/calich/hdis.html

Fields, J. D., Assaf, R. D., Nguyen, K. H., et al. (2025). Health care access and use among adults experiencing homelessness. JAMA Health Forum, 6(5), e250820. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamahealthforum.2025.0820

Graboys, S. (2024, December 3). Understanding domestic violence and homelessness. CAWC. https://www.cawc.org/news/understanding-domestic-violence-and-homelessness/ 

KERA News. (2024, May 1). Homelessness on the rise nationwide, but down in Dallas and CollinCounties.https://www.keranews.org/news/2024-05-01/homelessness-on-the-rise-nationwide-but-down-in-dallas-and-collin-counties

Los Angeles County. (2024, September 18). Measure H fact sheet.https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/lac/1167280_MeasureHFactSheet_9.18.24.pdf

Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). (2025, June 28). Declining homelessness is now a trend in Los Angeles County.https://www.lahsa.org/news?article=1044-declining-homelessness-is-now-a-trend-in-los-angeles-county

Nakphong, M. K., Edmonds, A. T., Roy, A. L., Lee, C. T., & Metzger, I. W. (2024). Housing instability patterns among low-income, urban Black young adults. BMC Public Health, 24, 19948. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19948-y

National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2024). Summary of public opinion polling on homelessness.https://endhomelessness.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Summary-of-Public-Opinion-Polling-on-Homelessness-June-2024.pdf

Reisner, S. L., Lee, B., Avila, E., Tregoning, B., Phung, C., & Charlton, B. M. (2025). Analyzing multiple types of discrimination using implicit and explicit measures. PLOS ONE, 20(1), e0325692. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0325692

Sangiuliano, C., Moraes, J., & Howells, S. (2024). Media representations of homelessness in three mid-sized Canadian cities: Integrative review and comparative analysis. International Journal on Homelessness, 5(1), 170–187. https://doi.org/10.5206/ijoh.2023.3.17736

Tarr, P. T. (2018, November 19). Homelessness and mental illness: A challenge to our society: Brain & behavior research foundation. Bbrfoundation. https://bbrfoundation.org/blog/homelessness-and-mental-illness-challenge-our-society  

Turk, A. (2022, March). Recognizing women experiencing homelessness: A women’s history month spotlight on Downtown Women’s Center. National Alliance to End Homelessness. https://endhomelessness.org/blog/recognizing-women-experiencing-homelessness-a-womens-history-month-spotlight-on-downtown-womens-center/

UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. (2023, May 3). Housing for a Healthy California evaluation:2021–2022.https://healthpolicy.ucla.edu/newsroom/blog/housing-healthy-california-evaluation-2021-22

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2023). The 2023 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress.https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2023-AHAR-Part-1.pdf