RESEARCH PAPER - FINAL DRAFT INSTRUCTIONS

Using the information and feedback gained from the Topic, Annotated Bibliography, and Working Outline, you will create a 10-12-page Research Paper on your approved topic. Your title page, abstract, and reference page(s)may not count toward the 10-12 pages. Also, you may not copy and paste your annotated bibliography into your final paper. At least 10 peer-reviewed sources must be used to support your paper, and current APA format must be adhered to.

After completing your final draft, submit your Research Paper using the SafeAssign link provided in Module/Week 7. SafeAssign will help you judge the originality of your paper and avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism includes: a) failing to cite another's work when you have used that person's ideas, b) copying another's work or just changing a word or two in a passage or phrase (even if you cite it), c) copying another's work without appropriate quotation citation, or d) copying your own work without appropriate citation (APA Chapter 1, Section 1.10, p. 15-16).

RESEARCH PAPER - ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY INSTRUCTIONS

The annotated bibliography is a collection of 10one-paragraph summaries of peer-reviewed journalresources that you intend to use in the Research Paper - Final Draft.

1. The articles must be current or dated within the past 5 years.

2. Do not paste the article abstract in the annotated bibliography paper. Annotations must be your summary of the article. The summary must include anyresearch findings that wereincluded in the article. (Do not simply state thatthe authors conducted a study without providing a summary of the findings.)

3. Do not paste the Annotated Bibliography in the final draft of your paper. The Annotated Bibliography simply provides information that will contribute to the Research Paper - Final Draft.

Requirements

1. Include the full source citation at the beginning of each summary.

2. Follow current APA format guidelines.

3. Provide sufficient information in the summary so the reader knows what the article contributes to the Research Paper - Final Draft. For example, if you mention a study,also include a summary of the relevant findings. To say, "The authors conducted a study" without an explanation of what they found offers no information.

4. List the sources alphabetically according to the first author's last name.

5. Include a title page.

Homelessness: Condition or Choice?

Many people believe that homelessness is a choice. More and more individuals are experiencing homelessness every day, not by choice, but by other factors that are beyond control. Some of these factors are contributed to poverty, domestic abuse, and loss of job to name a few. There are more programs put in place to assist individuals and families who face homelessness but are just unaware of the assistance available.

I. Introduction

Homelessness is a major problem in the United States. This paper will provide detailed information relating to the causes of homelessness and will end with the ways homelessness can be combatted.

II. How is homelessness defined?

A. Individuals or families with less than adequate shelter
B. Sleeping on the streets, in abandoned cars, buildings or homeless shelters

III. Major causes of homelessness

A. Domestic Violence
1. 31,500 adults and children fled domestic violence in 2015 (Family & Youth Services Bureau, 2016).
2. More than 80% of homeless mothers with children experienced domestic violence (Family & Youth Services Bureau, 2016).

B. Loss of job, poverty
1. Loss of job due to layoffs leads to homelessness
2. Unable to afford to pay living expenses can lead to eviction and homelessness.

C. Mental illness, including post-traumatic stress disorder.
1. According to National Alliance to End Homelessness (2016), "nearly 20 percent of the homeless population had serious mental illness or conditions related to chronic substance abuse, according to the 2014 Point-In-Time Count" (para. 2).
2. Many veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder are
homeless.

VI. Statics of homelessness in the United States

A. 33 states including the District of Columbia reported a decrease in homelessness
B. Homelessness in New York City has grown at an astonishing rate between
2011 and 2014.
1. Decreases in homelessness were found when researchers concentrated on states in the south and Midwest (Fitzgerald, 2016).
2. Other states found high numbers of homelessness

V. Prevention and Solutions to homelessness

A. Access to employment opportunities
Giselle (2016), In 2003, in support of the goal of ending chronic homelessness, and building upon previous efforts of the 1988 - 1995 Job Training for the Homeless Demonstration Program, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, partnered together to launch the Ending Chronic Homelessness through Employment and Housing (ECHEH) initiative(para. 7).

B. Access to available programs and housing
1. Giselle (2016), "Along with the Legislature, act immediately to execute an agreement, as required in the State budget, to get nearly $2 billion in supportive and affordable housing funds out the door and available for use in creating new supportive housing units" (para. 15).

VI. Conclusion

Homelessness is not a decision anyone makes but considered a condition many must face. There are many causes that lead up to homelessness. Homeless individuals and families face many issues including inadequate shelter, no access  to resources to help combat homelessness. Job layoffs, mental illness, and eviction because a family cannot afford the rent leads to homelessness. Homeless  individuals and families must be given access to programs that offer affordable housing, access to better job opportunities, and mental health services to name a few to help the homeless return to society and live a productive, healthy, lifestyle.

References

Giselle, R. (2016). State of Homeless 2016. Retrieved from

http://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/state-of-the-homeless-2016/
Family & Youth Services Bureau. (2016). Domestic violence and homelessness: Statistics (2016). Retrieved from

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/resource/dv-homelessness-stats-2016

Fitzgerald, E. (2016). The State of Homelessness in America 2016. Retrieved from

http://www.endhomelessness.org/library/entry/SOH2016

National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2016). Poor Health and Homelessness. Retrieved from

http://www.endhomelessness.org/pages/mental_physical_health