Statistics show that the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population is comprised by young single mothers, who are often receive little or no child support from the child's father (Nunez 122). To further challenge stereotypes, studies have shown that up to 15 percent of the homeless population is employed. This population is referred to as the "working homeless," people who work but could not afford to scrape together the deposits required for apartments, much less the down payment on a house.
             Forty percent of those who are on welfare have been on the rolls for less than a year (Fraenkel 241). This figure shows that a significant segment of the homeless population do not get long-term public assistance. This tends to suggest that they moved from a stable existence to welfare assistance and homelessness in a relatively short time.
             A significant segment of the homeless population is incapacitated by physical and mental illnesses. Crane et al (2005) argue that a large segment of those who are homeless and aged 50-59 years old have chronic health problems and disabilities that made them unlikely to return to work. These problems are often associated with old age, yet, they do not have access to welfare programs and public assistance. Unfortunately, not enough attention has bee turned to this segment of the homeless population.
             Cunningham et al (2006: 695) have also found high rates of mental illness among homeless people. Many of the current homeless people also report child abuse and other disruptive childhood experiences, such as the loss of a parent. In fact, victimization during childhood is a risk factor for future homelessness, especially for young women (Tyler 289).
             In her landmark study on minimum wage jobs, Barbara Ehrenreich (2002) found that many minimum-wage or near-minimum wage workers were only "one paycheck away from poverty and h
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