Low wages and limited employment opportunities are definitely contributing factors. One out of five homeless Americans do work either part time or full time. Minimum wage puts housing out of reach for employees because income is not sufficient to afford basic family needs. For example, under the current minimum wage, income earned by a full time worker is 85% of the estimated poverty line for a family of three. In contrast, as recently as 1967 a person working full time at minimum wage earned enough to raise a family of three well above the poverty line. In 1996, congress raised the minimum wage from $3.35 to $5.15 an hour.

Some people may be rendered homeless by mass disasters such as earthquakes, floods, fires, or tornadoes. The homeless street people are mostly perceived as homeless by virtue of their own imperfections or moral failings. Women and families are viewed of most agencies, and individuals who tend to treat homeless men as less worthy or deserving. (Anderson and Snow 9) Society continues to search and debate the cause of homelessness. Homelessness has been a problem throughout our nation’s history. Hopefully, society can one day stop history from repeating itself.

Homelessness is often caused by circumstances beyond our control, but others choose homelessness as a permanent lifestyle. In an article entitled, “Help the Needy-Boot the Greedy” a viewpoint of voluntary homelessness is explored. The author states, “They have their own rules, protocols, and street justice. As individuals and as a nation, we pride ourselves in helping

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