Homelessness into Crime: A Self-Caused Cycle

Abstract

The rise in homelessness and crime has recently proliferated in a multitude of America’s cities. However, this rise is a product of unfortunate and inescapable circumstances, poor policies, and stigmatizing stereotypes that make it so that one who is homeless may also likely be or become a criminal. In this paper, I observe the cycle of homelessness and crime to answer the question of how people can so easily fall victim to it, and what exactly perpetuates the problem. While it may seem as though crime is a cause of homelessness, it is actually the other way around, as many struggle to escape their poor living conditions because of the inhumane treatment they receive from our legal system. Through my findings, it was revealed that a multitude of public policies and societal stereotypes further cement those in poverty to stay in poverty, from the discriminatory nature of “Not in my Backyard” politics to the Prison-Industrial Complex that intentionally keeps inmates behind bars for the sake of profit. Ultimately, I argue that it is the corrupt criminal justice system and the way we treat those living on the streets as criminals that perpetuates homelessness. Whether it be through Universal Basic Income, which ensures that the impoverished have an economic safety net to allow them to pursue careers, or the Housing First Approach, which guarantees a roof to live under for those camped on the streets, we must proactively search for methods to dismantle economic disparity in our society.