Issues of Concern: Needs: SHESEAS

Satisfaction of Needs:

The circumstances that lead to homelessness are unique for each individual, family and group. perhaps the first step towards understanding the needs of the homeless is to identify, prioritise and those needs using Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Maslow proposed that the set of needs in one level must be satisfied before their physiological needs - food, water, rest/sleep/rest - met before they are able to realise higher level needs.

This can be difficult for homeless people, as they are often unable to source nourishing foods, prepare balanced meals, or enjoy a restful night's sleep. This may be largely due to a lack of financial resources, but also to a lack of knowledge of how to acquire these basic resources. Not having clothing appropriate to the weather conditions may also cause problems, further exacerbating their personal wellbeing.

A homeless person who is vulnerable as a result of their physiological condition is inevitably at risk of not feeling safe within their environment. Thus, the likelihood of fulfilling needs at the next level is diminished. 

The value of and access to support services to ensure that the needs of the homeless are addressed becomes imperative, sadly not all homeless individuals are able to access such services, and instead rely upon each other for survival. Each of us have specific needs, certainly for the homeless, these needs are closely related to the root cause of them becoming homeless (for example, alcohol or drug abuse, loss of employment, mental instability,) Nevertheless, it is the base physiologic needs which must be addressed first.

Watch the cycle of homelessness and discuss thoughts.

Activity:  justify the priority needs of each group. Give reasons and examples to support your views.