The Faces of Homelessness!
What is at the heart of homelessness?
The Origin and Root Cause of a Social Problem!
A Brief History of Homelessness:
The origin of homelessness can be traced back to colonial America. Around 1640, the English "vagrants" were listed as outcast individuals.
In the mid-18th century, destitute individuals were labeled "Sturdy beggars." They could be found in every corner of colonial towns, such as Baltimore and Philadelphia, which had a higher homeless population than any other town in America.
Homelessness also arose from King Philip's War of 1675–1676 against the native people. Many colonies were displaced, forcing people to seek shelter in the forests or coastal areas.
A law was passed to prevent "idleness" in the cities, leading to idle people being made servants or indentured servants. However, as the war between the French and Indians continued, some families' security was threatened, causing many families to become refugees in frontier areas such as New England and New York.
