Consider 1 Human Service Issue: It Might Be The Lack Of Affo
Consider 1 Human Service Issue It Might Be The Lack Of Affordable Hou
Consider one human service issue, such as the lack of affordable housing, poor schools, date rape, divorce, or discrimination based on race, religion, and disability. Analyze the possible causes of this social problem by exploring both internal and external factors. Use your insights, ideas from readings, and include at least two scripture references that address the issue. Additionally, provide an APA-style reference list for all sources cited.
Paper For Above instruction
The human service issue selected for analysis is the lack of affordable housing, a critical social problem affecting millions of individuals and families worldwide. This issue profoundly impacts health, economic stability, and overall quality of life. To understand the root causes of the lack of affordable housing, it is essential to examine both internal and external factors that contribute to this complex problem.
Internal Causes
Internal causes are factors intrinsic to the housing market or individual circumstances that influence the scarcity and affordability of housing. One internal cause is the misallocation of resources within urban development. Many cities prioritize luxury housing and commercial real estate developments over affordable housing units, driven by profit motives and speculative investments (Glaeser & Gyourko, 2018). Such prioritization reduces the supply of affordable options for low- and middle-income populations.
Furthermore, systemic issues such as income inequality and stagnant wages relative to housing costs exacerbate the problem. When wages fail to keep up with rising housing prices, more individuals are pushed into homelessness or forced to live in substandard conditions (Desmond, 2016). Internal factors also include ineffective policy implementation and zoning laws that restrict the development of affordable housing. Zoning restrictions often limit the density of housing that can be built, thus constraining supply and inflating prices (Hahm & Heyliger, 2019).
External Causes
External causes originate outside the immediate housing market but significantly impact housing affordability. One primary external factor is economic policies and broader macroeconomic trends. For instance, low-interest rates and monetary policies aimed at stimulating economic growth can lead to increased real estate investments and inflated property prices (Glaeser & Gyourko, 2018). Additionally, gentrification processes in urban areas displace lower-income residents, reducing the availability of affordable housing stock (Lees et al., 2016).
Another external cause is the decline in public investment in affordable housing infrastructure. Governments and municipalities often reduce funding for public housing projects due to budget deficits or political shifts that deprioritize social welfare (Knapp et al., 2013). Additionally, increasing land costs, driven by environmental regulations or scarcity of developable land, raise housing prices (Naughton, 2019). Environmental factors, such as climate change leading to natural disasters, can also devastate housing stocks, further limiting supply and affordability (Rogers et al., 2020).
Intersection of Causes and Impact
The intersection of internal and external causes creates a compounded effect, exacerbating housing shortages and affordability issues. For example, restrictive zoning laws (internal) combined with gentrification (external) lead to displacement and reduced availability for lower-income residents. Economic policies such as low-interest rates (external) can fuel speculative investments in real estate, contributing to inflated prices even as the actual supply of affordable units decreases.
Ethical and Scriptural Perspectives
From an ethical standpoint, the issue of affordable housing relates to principles of social justice, equity, and support for the vulnerable. scripture emphasizes compassion and justice for the marginalized. Proverbs 31:8-9 states, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” This advocates for advocacy and policy changes to ensure equitable access to housing.
Additionally, Isaiah 1:17 encourages social action: “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” These scriptures emphasize the moral responsibility of individuals and governments to address and rectify social injustices related to housing disparities.
Conclusion
The crisis of unaffordable housing is multifaceted, driven by a combination of internal factors such as policy shortcomings and resource misallocation, and external influences including economic trends and urban development policies. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach that involves reforming zoning laws, increasing public investment, regulating speculative real estate practices, and fostering economic policies that support equitable wage growth. As scripture advocates for justice, compassion, and advocacy, faith-based and secular entities alike are called to work toward creating equitable housing opportunities for all.
References
Desmond, M. (2016). Evicted: Poverty and profit in the American city. Crown Publishing Group.
Glaeser, E. L., & Gyourko, J. (2018). The impact of zoning on housing affordability. Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.
Hahm, J., & Heyliger, I. (2019). Zoning restrictions and housing affordability: A review. Urban Studies Journal, 56(4), 720-735.
Knapp, M. S., et al. (2013). Investing in affordable housing: Strategies and impacts. Journal of Housing Research, 22(2), 123-145.
Lees, L., et al. (2016). Gentrification: A review. Progress in Human Geography, 40(5), 599–617.
Naughton, M. (2019). Land costs and housing prices: An international review. Land Use Policy, 81, 314-324.
Rogers, D., et al. (2020). Climate change and housing vulnerability. Environmental Research Letters, 15(11), 113002.