Sample Introduction for a Research Paper (PDF Format)
Research Paper Introduction Example
This research paper introduction will describe how homelessness is an issue that impacts communities across the United States. Each paragraph will focus on relevant background information that provides context to the topic. The introduction will conclude with a clear thesis statement that establishes the paper’s central argument.
Homelessness is a complex social issue that affects thousands of individuals and families across the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2018 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, there were around 553,000 homeless individuals nationwide on a single night in January 2018. Of those individuals, more than 356,000 were living in emergency shelters or transitional housing programs, while over 192,000 were sleeping outdoors, in abandoned buildings, or in other places not meant for human habitation (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2018). The pervasiveness of this issue indicates that addressing and preventing homelessness should be a high priority for communities and policymakers.
While homelessness impacts both urban and rural areas, most homeless populations are concentrated in major cities with extensive support services. For example, the five communities with the largest numbers of homeless populations were New York City (with over 78,000 homeless individuals), Los Angeles County (with over 55,000), Seattle/King County (with over 11,000), San Diego County (with over 9,000), and San Jose/Santa Clara County (with over 6,000) (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2018). Even smaller cities and towns also grapple with homeless residents, though their numbers may be smaller in size. No community is immune from potential issues surrounding a lack of stable housing or access to livable incomes.
Various interrelated factors contribute to an individual or household becoming homeless or remaining unsheltered. Economic factors like poverty, unemployment, and a lack of affordable housing are significant drivers. Health issues including physical disabilities, mental illness, and substance abuse problems also elevate the risk of homelessness. Some individuals experience a housing crisis after relationship or family breakdowns coupled with limited support systems. Homelessness is also disproportionately experienced by certain demographic groups including military veterans, youth aging out of foster care, LGBTQ+ young adults, and communities of color. Effectively addressing this crisis demands acknowledgement of its complex, multi-faceted root causes.
The financial costs of homelessness to communities are also substantial. Emergency room and ambulance services for physical health needs of homeless populations drain local budgets. Police and jail services must manage public safety issues and ordinance violations. Cities, counties, and non-profit agencies devote considerable resources to providing supportive housing programs, emergency shelters, meal services, job training, and homeless outreach. One study estimated that the cumulative public costs of homelessness in the state of Washington alone totalled over $1 billion in a single year (Washington State Department of Commerce, 2012). With such massive economic and humanitarian implications, reducing and preventing homelessness should be a priority policy issue.
This research paper will analyze how one mid-sized city is working to combat its local homeless crisis. Using both quantitative metrics and qualitative case studies, the effectiveness of the city’s 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness will be evaluated. The central argument is that while well-intentioned, the plan’s goals and strategies have only made modest progress so far in actually reducing the city’s unsheltered population due to challenges involving funding shortfalls, lack of affordable housing, gaps in supportive services, and other obstacles. Recommendations will be provided for how the plan can be improved or modified going forward to make more meaningful impacts on the issue over the next few years. It is hoped this analysis can provide insight into best practices for other communities also struggling to address the complex problem of homelessness.