Homelessness is a serious problem affecting many cities. Some people are homeless due to unfortunate situations, while others are homeless by choice. Homelessness has existed since 1640. The cost of housing is increasing, and many remain homeless because they do not earn enough money to afford the cost of housing. The cost of health care and insurance has increased dramatically in recent years. For families living on low or moderate incomes, this can be devastating. Families or individuals without health insurance, a sudden, chronic illness or accident can be financially devastating. Many people do not understand the problems that homeless families face, and most families are homeless due to difficult situations or because they do not have enough money to afford food. In homeless families this can have an emotional and mental effect on children and can cause them to have low self-esteem. People don't understand the effects of homeless families or how they feel. Most families have nowhere else to go or are too ashamed to live with other relatives. Homeless families are sometimes separated because some children are sent to foster care or because there are certain requirements for that shelter. Some homeless people have long-term problems such as mental illness, drug addiction and alcoholism, homeless people who have these addictions do not have health insurance and this could be serious if they become seriously ill. Most people don't care about homeless people who are drug addicts, alcoholics, or mentally ill, but people should help homeless people who have these problems instead of ignoring them, making fun of them, or simply scaring them. they need people in their lives who care enough about... middle of paper ...... Present." Street News Service. Street NewsService, July 7, 2010. Web. May 02, 2014. Hombs, Mary Ellen. Modern Homelessness: A Reference Manual. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2011. Print.Hombs, Mary Ellen Modern Homeless: A Reference Manual Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2011. Print."HOMELESS STATS." Article, Facts about Homelessness, Homelessness Statistics. Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness, 2008. Web. May 2, 2014. "Overview of Homelessness in America." 2014. PBS. PBS, 26 June 2009. Web. 01 May 2014. "Facts, figures and anecdotes about the mentally ill who are homeless - MENTAL ILLNESS POLICY ORG." Dr. E. Fuller Torrey, February 2011. Web. May 13 2014.