Blog post three – Homelessness and Inflation in Pensacola, FL
Homelessness and inflation are two parts that can go hand in hand in some instances. Right now, America is facing dangerously high inflation and due to that, the cost of housing has increased. When housing and the cost of living increase, the risk of becoming homeless increases and so does the barrier between being homeless and not being homeless. In the United States, an individual experiences homelessness when they do not have a permanent home. They live on the streets, in a shelter, or in any other non-permanent or unstable situation. Many factors can contribute to an individual becoming homeless and not being able to escape. Some of the most common factors include the inability to secure housing, lack or decrease in income, racial disparities, and violence. When there is not housing that is affordable for low-income individuals or families, they face eviction, instability, and homelessness. Today it is noted that more than 8 million people pay at least, if not more, than half of their paycheck towards their rent or housing in general. Low-income families and households do not earn enough money to pay for necessities like food, clothing, and transportation. Those trying to escape domestic violence often experience homelessness. Not to mention that most minority groups in the United States experience homelessness at higher rates than whites. Inflation is an issue that most people are facing in the United States. In simple terms, inflation is the rate of a general increase in the prices of goods and services in an economy over time. This increase in general price levels causes each unit of currency to buy fewer goods and services. In return, inflation corresponds to a reduction in the purchasing power of money. To sum it up, inflation increases the cost of living which in turn can make or break a family in need.
Since this is an issue that affects all of the United States it is hard to apply to just one community. However, homelessness was an issue before inflation increased. In 2019, 500 people were accounted for in Pensacola for being homeless and a few years before that there were around 1,000 individuals experiencing homelessness.
Kadeem Malishine, a father of five, talked with Channel 3, a local news station about the hardships that inflation has brought him when trying to provide for his family. He stated that working two jobs does not even help them stay afloat and that he basically needs two more. This surging cost of food, gas, and housing is hurting people in many ways. When I was living in Pensacola, it was hard not to notice all the people you would see under I-10, sitting on the side of the road with a sign, or just mindlessly walking with no destination. Not to mention that every time my grandparents go to the store the price of eggs, milk, and so many other groceries has increased. Do not even get me started on gas.
Pensacola City Council has proposed a 3-million-dollar budget to combat this issue. This money is a part of the American Rescue Plan Act. This money would essentially be turned over to the newly created Homelessness Reduction Task Force of Northwest Florida. In addition, $6.5 million in funding and a new task force is Pensacola's first large-scale effort to create a solution for its homeless population. Pensacola hopes to model the Kearney Center in Tallahassee, hoping to see a positive example of change. In addition, 1.5 million dollars in federal relief has already been put to use providing shelters with plenty of beds for the homeless. While all this is great, I still believe that another way we should approach homelessness is through providing services to maintain things such as social security cards and legal identification. In addition, I think we should provide mental health screenings and more halfway homes for those trying to get back up on their feet.