Western Humanities Essay - How is the Palace of Versailles a fitting

Western Humanities - How is the Palace of Versailles a fitting symbol of the Age of Absolutism - Essay Example Louis chose to build the palace on the location of his father’s hunting lodge in Versailles. For the next two decades the town became an enormous construction site. Le Vau added new wings and faà §ades on every side until they completely enveloped the original hunting lodge. Illustrious additions included the Sun King’s magnificent bedroom (the Chambre du Roi), and the famous Galerie des Glaces (Hall of Mirrors). Construction of the Hall of Mirrors began in 1678. The principal feature of this famous hall is the seventeen mirror-clad arches that reflect the seventeen arcaded windows that overlook the gardens (Singleton 25). The mirrors are very decadent and decorated and they use natural light and candlelight to create awesome space. There is an Audience hall within that highlights Louis XIV’s enormous wealth and power. Ceiling frescoes illustrate Louis’s successes in war. Versailles became the home of the French nobility and the location of the royal court thus becoming the center of French government. Symbolically the central room of the long extensive symmetrical range of buildings was the Kings Bedchamber. All the power of France emanated from this center: there were government offices here; as well as the homes of thousands of courtiers, their retinues and all the attendant functionaries of court, thus keeping the lords close at hand and securing the French government in an absolute monarchy. All major avenues radiate from and to the palace courtyard. The King’s bedchamber is the actual radiating point, which highlights the king’s centrality. Buildings create an embrace and the gardens reflect the King’s mastery over the natural world. Exterior is classical; linear and geometric that emphasizes order and stability (Ranum 20). Louis weakened the power of the nobles by excluding them from his councils. In contrast, he increased the power of the government agents called intendants, which collected taxes and

Local paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Local paper - Essay Example Dauskurdas represents the authors’ last name. The reference page provides a reader with information that will enable the location and retrieval of the sources cited in the essay or article. Angeli et al explains that the reference page in APA format comes at the end of the paper. The reference page has the heading reference centred on top of the page. In order to give a clear distinction between the writers voice and the ideas or thoughts of other authors we utilise signal phrases. For example in the article, Dauskurdas (2012) reports on the district spokesperson comment on their reason for denying the theatre to perform the play. The word "reports" is a signal phrase. Plagiarism is the use of somebody’s words or ideas without quoting or citing the source. This can be through directly copying the idea or using diagrams charts or data utilised by another author and not providing a citation. A hanging indentation explains how the reference list is presented, for example, in the article we cited the first line is flushed towards the left, and the lines that follow are indented. This represents the APA format-hanging indent. Direct quotation refers to the exact reporting of words used by an author or speaker. Angeli et al. State when directly quoting in APA format we cite the authors name, date of publication and the page the where the quote can be found. A signal phrase introduces a signal phrase (Angeli et al., 2010). Paraphrases are words or ideas that have been restated to fit the description writers own words. Paraphrasing helps in preventing plagiarism a clear understanding of the article read. APA format encourages paraphrasing as a way of avoiding plagiarism and too much quoting. Quotation marks are punctuation marks that enclose the exact words of a speaker or written ideas of another author. The APA format suggests the utilisation of quotation marks on titles of shorter works. These include journal article, televisions series, and song titles.

The Christ of Velázquez †Poetry Visits Art Essay Example for Free

The Christ of Velà ¡zquez – Poetry Visits Art Essay Leonardo da Vinci is quoted as saying, â€Å"Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen. † There is no better illustration of this than the inspirational painting of Diego Rodriquez de Silva y Velazquez –The Christ of San Placido, more commonly known as The Christ of Velazquez and the equally moving poetic meditation on Velazquez’s painting by Miguel de Unamuno centuries later. Painting and poetry, as da Vinci suggested, join together in a unique way – the artist painting what he feels in his soul and the poet feeling in his soul what is painted. The Painting Diego Velazquez was one of the foremost Spanish painters of the 17th century. And one of his greatest paintings was The Christ of San Placido which was painted in 1638 for the convent of San Placido, but now resides in the Museo de Prado in Madrid. This stirring depiction of Christ just after His death offers an open invitation for the viewer to meditate on this epic moment. The body of Christ on the cross stands alone on the backdrop of a black sky. The crucifix has no flourishes or embellishments. Velazquez chose to portray this solitary Christ with His head hanging and the right side of his face covered by his hair. (â€Å"Diego†) This veil of hair has prompted many explanations. The Museo de Prado’s explanation is that Velazquez could not copy Christ’s expression on that side of His face and so he â€Å"opted to cover the left [right] side with His falling hair instead. † Another analysis assumes that this disruption of the composure of the body was done to recall the torture and the cruelty that Christ suffered. Yet another attributes this half-hidden face to the artist’s intention to lead the viewer of the painting into the spiritual world. (â€Å"The Painted†) Whatever the artist’s purpose might have been, it cannot be denied that this purposely simple representation of the dead Christ, dripping blood can inspire deep spiritual reflection. Its Inspirational Connection to Poetry Ekphrasis Ekphrasis, purely defined, is: â€Å"a literary description of or commentary on a visual work of art. † (â€Å"Ekphrasis-Merriam†) This is, of course, a sterile definition that cannot begin to convey the true connection that art and poetry can enjoy. The term goes back as far as Homer’s The Iliad, in which he vividly describes how the blacksmith god forged the Shield of Achilles. Modern ekphrasis tends to focus only on works of art; and not so much by extraordinary description as in the case of the Shield of Achilles as by how the art inspires or moves the poet. (â€Å"Ekphrasis: Poetry†) This is what Miguel de Unamuno undertook to do with his book-length poem El Cristo de Velazquez. Unamuno expressed his spiritual doubts through his poetry. With El Cristo de Velazquez he confronts the painting of Velazquez to â€Å"define a uniquely Spanish Christ. † (â€Å"Miguel†) The stark figure of Christ on the cross elicited deep feelings from Unamuno, some mystical, some perplexing. He put these thoughts into lyrical form over the course of seven years producing a piece that is considered by some to be a most important religious poem. Its 2,538 lines are divided into four parts. They relate to Christ as a symbol of sacrifice and redemption, as a reflection of His many names, as God painted with the brush of Velazquez and they end with an invocation to the Holy Spirit to guide Unamuno as He guided Velazquez. (Nozick 178) The Personalization of The Christ of Velazquez by Unamuno In his book on Unamuno, Martin Nozick speculates on why Unamuno would have chosen this painting by Velazquez rather than any of the myriad of others he could have chosen as the subject of his poem. He notes that Unamuno thought that the representation of Christ that was adopted by the king of Spain as his official symbol was â€Å"bland† as compared with the image of Christ painted by Velazquez and that the Christ of Cabrera was â€Å"granitic† and the Christ of Santa Clara more like a wooden mannequin. (179) It seems that the Christ of Velazquez was ordained to be his choice. The posture of Christ in Velazquez’s painting is somewhat unique in that it suggests that death has already occurred. His head is hanging limply while His face, now as lifeless as His body, is veiled by his mangled locks of hair. Undoubtedly this moved Unamuno to comment on Christ in Part One as the white Lamb of God whose death took away the sins of the world. (Section XVI) He continues with expressive commentary on Christ as the host of wheat ground under the millstone, an apt expression for one who had gone through so much suffering for mankind. (Section XVII) The symbolic use of the colors of white and red to contrast the magnificence of Christ as the Son of God with the human suffering of the Son of Man run throughout this part of the poem especially. Unamuno stops to reflect on the white linen in which Christ’s body is so meagerly wrapped; and refers to Him as the white lion of the desert, among other references to the color white (white cloud, white light, white bull, etc. ). These references are juxtaposed against the stark images of the red blood that runs from the wounds of Christ. Unamuno â€Å"paints† this in one line as he describes Christ’s â€Å"whiteness dotted with bloody riddles. † (Section XXIV) However he does not merely explain the vividness of the white dotted with red. It is evident through his verse that he is also deeply affected by these aspects of the painting. The exhausting effort that is manifest in this first part may have prompted a weaker, less driven man to end the poem there. But Unamuno forges on. In Part II the painting inspires a recounting of earthly forces such as fire and water and storm intertwined with deep insights into the soul of Unamuno. This second part also reflects the biblical aspects of Christ and His mission of salvation. It evokes an historical aspect often citing events from the Bible as well as some of the many titles of Christ such as â€Å"Lion of Judah†, â€Å"King of the Desert,† â€Å"Light of Life† and more. From the powerful imagery of Unamuno in this part emerges the soul of a man who is trying to grasp the full meaning of salvation, seeing it as something that mankind was given as a gift but did not deserve. God the Father is seen by Unamuno as the sun; Christ is seen as the moon and the earth is the Virgin Mother. As Cannon puts it, â€Å"It is a mythic triad in accord with ancient beliefs in the magic and perfection of three-ness and in the family organization of the cosmos. † (28) Cannon tells us that Unamuno even made a full-page drawing which he attached to the final manuscript representing this cosmological triad. This seems to infer that Unamuno saw in Velazquez’s painting more than what was physically there. The painting evidently inspired a much greater vision in the mind of Unamuno – one that portrays him as â€Å"an intoxicated evangelist† (Nozick 180) Unamuno does come back to earth however in Part III by concentrating on the visible features of Christ in the actual painting – His head, face, eyes, ears, arms, hands, etc. Consider this translation in the section dealing with the eyes of Christ. Shivering russet which dew on your eyelashes, Pearls of fire shudder liquid And going through the closure of the eyelids Viewed with dark eyes . . . . The imagery is magnificent and throughout this imagery are woven references, once again, to the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. Unamuno himself calls this â€Å"a sort of rhythmoid, dense prose. † (180) This third part of the poem is probably the most descriptive of the painting itself whereas the prior two parts were more illustrative of the feelings that the painting evoked. As Unamuno leaves the more descriptive portion of his poetry behind, he approaches what Cannon considers the most famous part of the poem. (Cannon 28) It begins and ends in darkness, but in between Unamuno presents the â€Å"luminous white body of the glorified Christ. † (28) Here again, Unamuno pulls hope out of despair, joy out of sorrow, expectation out of apathy. The images that the painting of Christ by Velazquez inspires in Unamuno are powerful ones that make a lasting impression on the reader. It may be that Unamuno has personalized Christ in a way that may not occur to the casual observer of this or any other painting of Christ on the cross and in this intense personalization Unamuno vitalizes the depiction of Christ with hope – a way out of the darkness. Velazquez painted his Christ on the cross to be a stark and solitary figure devoid of the sympathetic eye of the observers present at the crucifixion. Unamuno supplements the darkness of the artist’s work with a renewed sense of anticipation of his own death and rebirth in Christ. He ends his poem with a plea that he may enter â€Å"the clear day that has no end, my eyes fixed on Thy white body, Son of Man, complete Humanity . . . my eyes fixed on Thine eyes, oh Christ, my gaze submerged in Thee, oh Lord! † His life was admittedly full of theological uncertainties, but the spiritual doubts that may have manifested themselves in the life of Unamuno are put to rest in this profusion of imagery inspired by The Christ of Velazquez that was written and rewritten over seven years by Unamuno. The sweeping dynamic of the painter’s brush met the commanding inspiration of the poet’s pen so that together they make an impact that neither of them alone could manage. Works Cited Cannon, Calvin. â€Å"The Mythic Cosmology of Unamuno’s El Cristo de Velà ¡zquez.† Hispanic   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Review 28 (1960): 28 – 39. Complete Works of Miguel de Unamuno. Ed. Ricardo Senabre. Vol. 4., Madrid: Jose   Ã‚  Ã‚   Antonio Castro Foundation, 2006. Madrid: Biblioteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes 20 Oct. 2008    http://www.cervantesvirtual.com.

Vaccination and Eradication of Smallpox Essay -- Biology Medical Biome

The Vaccination and Eradication of Smallpox Smallpox, a disease caused by the variola virus, has devastated humanity for many centuries. Because of its high mortality rate, civilizations around the world sought to protect themselves from this disease. Throughout the 1700's, these protective methods became more sophisticated, and led up to Edward Jenner’s vaccination method in 1796. Indeed, the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control and the Agency for International Development began a joint program to eradicate smallpox in 1967. It utilized methods of mass vaccination, surveillance, and containment. The endeavor was successful, and in 1980, WHO officially declared the eradication of smallpox. Since 1000 B.C., the world had been plagued by the variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox. The disease has a 30% mortality rate (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2004). Consequently, it was a great victory for humankind when the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the eradication of smallpox from the world. The smallpox vaccine was the first vaccine ever developed, and the eradication was the first successful eradication of a disease. Therefore, it is very important for society to study the processes that led to the vaccination and eradication of smallpox. Inoculation, a process that offered protection from smallpox, can be dated back to 1000 B.C. In China, the smallpox scabs were powdered and blown into noses, and in India, pus was rubbed into skin lesions to immunize the healthy individuals against future infections. Throughout Asia and Great Britain, inoculation was also frequently practiced (History and Eradication of Smallpox, n.d., p.2). Inoculation methods improved over time. Originally, ... ...enner's smallpox vaccine. Great Britain: Heinemann Educational Books. Centers for Disease and Control. (2004, December 30). Smallpox Overview. In Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved July 20, 2006, from http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/overview/disease-facts.asp History and Eradication of Smallpox. (n.d.). Retrieved July 20, 2006, from http://www.portfolio.mvm.ed.ac.uk/studentwebs/session4/32/history.htm Ogden, H. G. (1987). CDC and the smallpox crusade. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Razzell, P. (1977). The conquest of smallpox. Sussex: Caliban Books. World Health Organization. (n.d.). The World Health Organization Smallpox Eradication Programme. In WHO smallpox eradication programme. Retrieved July 20, 2006, from University of Toronto Web site: http://choo.fis.utoronto.ca/fis/courses/lis2102/KO.WHO.case.html Vaccination and Eradication of Smallpox Essay -- Biology Medical Biome The Vaccination and Eradication of Smallpox Smallpox, a disease caused by the variola virus, has devastated humanity for many centuries. Because of its high mortality rate, civilizations around the world sought to protect themselves from this disease. Throughout the 1700's, these protective methods became more sophisticated, and led up to Edward Jenner’s vaccination method in 1796. Indeed, the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control and the Agency for International Development began a joint program to eradicate smallpox in 1967. It utilized methods of mass vaccination, surveillance, and containment. The endeavor was successful, and in 1980, WHO officially declared the eradication of smallpox. Since 1000 B.C., the world had been plagued by the variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox. The disease has a 30% mortality rate (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2004). Consequently, it was a great victory for humankind when the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the eradication of smallpox from the world. The smallpox vaccine was the first vaccine ever developed, and the eradication was the first successful eradication of a disease. Therefore, it is very important for society to study the processes that led to the vaccination and eradication of smallpox. Inoculation, a process that offered protection from smallpox, can be dated back to 1000 B.C. In China, the smallpox scabs were powdered and blown into noses, and in India, pus was rubbed into skin lesions to immunize the healthy individuals against future infections. Throughout Asia and Great Britain, inoculation was also frequently practiced (History and Eradication of Smallpox, n.d., p.2). Inoculation methods improved over time. Originally, ... ...enner's smallpox vaccine. Great Britain: Heinemann Educational Books. Centers for Disease and Control. (2004, December 30). Smallpox Overview. In Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved July 20, 2006, from http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/overview/disease-facts.asp History and Eradication of Smallpox. (n.d.). Retrieved July 20, 2006, from http://www.portfolio.mvm.ed.ac.uk/studentwebs/session4/32/history.htm Ogden, H. G. (1987). CDC and the smallpox crusade. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Razzell, P. (1977). The conquest of smallpox. Sussex: Caliban Books. World Health Organization. (n.d.). The World Health Organization Smallpox Eradication Programme. In WHO smallpox eradication programme. Retrieved July 20, 2006, from University of Toronto Web site: http://choo.fis.utoronto.ca/fis/courses/lis2102/KO.WHO.case.html

Importance Of Financial Planning Essay

Money may not be the most important thing in life. Nevertheless, it is still important. Every single revolves around money, from the time we open our eyes till the time we go to bed (and even while we are asleep). If only money grows on trees, then financial planning would not be such a headache, would it? Financial planning is a systematic way of organizing our financial affairs in the most effective and efficient manner in order to achieve our life goals. And success is defined as the attainment of one’s goals. In short, it is truly a key of success. Sense Of Direction In Life Through proper financial planning, we can look at what is more important and meaningful to us. Then we can organize effectively our finances and our lives around those things so that we do not end up on the wrong wall. Understanding Sacrifices -Though our wants are infinite, unfortunately, our resources are finite. Financial planning would help us realize and understand that in life, there is always sacrifice to be made. If we really want to achieve our important goals, we need to exercise Delayed Gratification and able to distinguish between needs and wants. Coping Easier With Changes In Life -The only constant in life is Change and learning to cope with changes early in life would be a plus point. We are better prepared to face these challenges in life if we have done proper financial planning. Creating Wealth -Wealth creation is not a sprint but a marathon for it takes time, discipline and a lot of financial stamina. With the help of a qualified investment advisor, we can select the most appropriate investments that suit our risk appetite to achieve our desired goals. Enriching Our Lives -Financial Planning does not merely enrich us financially but also physically, emotionally and mentally. Without the financial stress. We will able to focus on other important aspects of out lives like our health, our relationship with family and friends and devoting our time to other charitable causes. Security – Through proper risk management and insurance planning. We will be able to provide our loved ones and ourselves with total peace of mind while we go about living out lives and building our wealth. Success -That’s exactly what financial planning aims to achieve- helping us realize our life goals. Our goals should not be just having a lot of money in our bank accounts but rather what can money do for us. http://www.akpk.org.my/Articles/YOUNGADULTS/THEIMPORTANCEOFFINANCIALPLANNINGAKEYTOSU/tabid/168/Default.aspx

The Nazi Party and The Holocaust - 1119 Words

A horrid event known as The Holocaust took place in 20th century Germany. It all began when Adolph Hitler was appointed as chancellor of Germany on January 30th, 1933. Soon after, Hitler gained a numerous amount of followers and rapidly developed his Nazi Germany. Led by visions of racial purity and spatial expansion, the Nazis mainly targeted Jews. In addition, Nazis also targeted Gypsies, homosexuals, Jehovahs Witnesses and disabled people along with anyone who resisted them. This tragic event lasted a total of 12 years. On April 1, 1933, the Nazis announced a boycott of all Jewish businesses. This was the first of many actions taken to slowly exclude Jews from public life. Later, on September 15, 1935, the Nuremberg Laws were issues. These laws were solely made to exclude Jews from German citizenship and limit their rights. The laws forbid marriages between Jews and German nationals as well as relationships between the two. Jews were not allowed to employ German females in their households and forbidden to hoist the Reich and national flag or to present the colors of such. The punishments for breaking any of the laws were either hard labor, imprisonment or fines. Over the next few years, other anti-Jew laws were issued such as laws excluding them from parks, firing them from government jobs, laws to register their property and a law which permitted Jewish doctors to only work with Jewish patients. Children were also banned from many public places. A night known asShow MoreRelatedThe Holocaust And The Nazi Party1312 Words   |  6 Pages This Jewish girl was one of the many orphaned during the Holocaust, forcing her to live on the streets of the ghetto amongst the filth and grime. She lies on the street, holding her sister who is dying of starvation and disease. Many walk past and neglect to help the girl; for fear that they will draw unnecessary attention to themselves and attract the Jewish Ghetto police. This picture only illustrates the suffering of two girls, but acts as a representation of the many millions of Jews that wereRead MoreThe Holocaust Of The Nazi Party791 Words   |  4 PagesBy 1933 the Nazi Party had fully risen to power. Their policies included â€Å"purifying† Germany, taking over the world, and exterminating any group of people that contradicted their idea of a perfect society, namely the Jewish. By 1945 twenty million people died, including gypsies (Romanian), the Polish, Soviet citizens, the disabled, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals and yes the Jewish. The Holocaust is a prime example of genocide. The Nazis sent their prisoners to concentration camps where they wereRead MoreThe Holocaust And The Nazi Party1505 Words   |  7 Pagesinner beast. Some likely never knew this inner brutality existed within them and others had kept it hidden deep inside intentionally. Irma Grese used the Holocaust to express her inner most anger and hate. She abused, killed, and controlled the people in the camps she worked at, all with the blessings of the German Nazis she worked for. A Holocaust survivor, Olga Lyngel, later described Grese as a â€Å"twenty-two year old girl†¦completely without pity.† This description of Irma Grese only gives a glimpseRead MoreThe Holocaust And The Nazi Party1719 Words   |  7 Pagesgenocide is viewed in various ways by every party involved and has eight specific steps. In Germany, Adolf Hitler’s persistent lectures on the Jews and their role in World War One created tension in the government and in the people. The Holocaust can be looked at through eight itemized stages. Genocide can only be stopped with intervention on a worldwide scale. It disheartens me to know that mass murders have taken place throughout Europe because the Nazi Party declared themselves the higher being andRead MoreThe Nazi Party and The Holocaust Essay610 Words   |  3 PagesThe Holocaust was a terrible time. This terrible time was all a plan, led by Adolf Hitler. Adolf Hitler was sent to prison for treason. Even after he got out, he worked with the government of Germany. He even rose to be the Dictator of Germany, with the luck of the last leaders passing. He blamed others for his struggle. He passed laws, to make it legal to descriminate and to single out groups of people, races, and religions. During the Holocaust, terrible and devistating things happened. JewsRead MoreThe Holocaust Was The Systematic And Bureaucratic Murder Of Six Million Jews By The Nazi Party1099 Words   |  5 PagesAnalyzing Night Style The Holocaust was the systematic and bureaucratic murder of six million Jews by the Nazi party and its collaborators. During the era of the Holocaust, German authorities targeted many groups of people because of their perceived racial inferiority including Gypsies, the disabled, and some of the Slavic peoples. Other groups were persecuted on political, ideological, and behavioral grounds. Several authors have written about the Holocaust, but one author that touched manyRead MoreThe Holocaust : A More Perfect Union1060 Words   |  5 Pagesper 3 Although many recognize the Holocaust as one of the most catastrophic genocides in history, few acknowledge its underlying causes. Historians often attribute the combination of German aggression and foreign appeasement with the Nazi rise to power and success in completing the Final Solution. However, the power of the totalitarian regime originated from its domestic policy, allowing one man to manipulate the thoughts and actions of an entire nation. The Nazi indoctrination of Germany with propagandaRead MoreDifferent Perspectives of The Jewish Holocaust 1641 Words   |  7 PagesThe Holocaust tends to be a bitter memory and an unpleasant subject to discuss. Although this event took place many years ago, repercussions are still present in the twenty first century. Especially in Germany, the Holocaust not only influences patriotism, but it also influences education and immigration policies. In contrast to other countries where nationalism is common, Germany has been forced to lessen t he sense of nationalism in order to dispose false beliefs some individuals have of GermanRead MoreThe World Of The Holocaust934 Words   |  4 PagesThe Holocaust was the systematic, organized, frighten, vicious event that sponsored by Nazi Party throughout the Europe continent that approximately took away six million Jews’ life with assisted from Nazi Germany and its collaborators, the event also caused different extent of casualties to contemporary third party countries in the Europe simultaneously. The official beginning date of event started from January 1933 when Adolf Hitler first came to power in Germany with Nazi as his backup to openlyRead MoreAdolf Hitler : Leading The Genocide1182 Words   |  5 Pages5 23 March 2015 Adolf Hitler: Leading the Genocide The Holocaust was the mass murder of Jews under the German Nazi regime in 1941 to 1945. There are many components of this significant event. One important component was Adolf Hitler, the leader of the Nazi Party and Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945. Hitler contributed to the execution of Jews during WWII through his ideology, his dictatorship, and his leadership of the Nazi Party. To initiate, Hitler’s early life had a great impact on his

Gentrifications Impact on Homelessness - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 7 Words: 2020 Downloads: 10 Date added: 2019/03/26 Category Society Essay Level High school Tags: Homelessness Essay Did you like this example? On average, about half a million people will spend tonight without a place to call home. There are myriad reasons, varying from individual to individual, but perhaps the most frustrating reason for an already established family to be uprooted from their home is gentrification. Gentrification, as defined by Merriam-Webster as, the process of repairing and rebuilding homes and businesses in a deteriorating area accompanied by an influx of middle-class or affluent people and that often results in the displacement of earlier, usually poorer residents.14 Many of these residents are only barely able to eke out a living in these lower-class neighborhoods; when they are kicked out either by landlords or unsustainably high costs of living, they will most likely require longer than most to get their assets in order, resulting in a prolonged period of homelessness.. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Gentrifications Impact on Homelessness" essay for you Create order This accidental targeting of lower class individuals is something people seldom consider when moving into a newly renovated neighborhood. Homelessness is essentially a housing issue, so it is safe to say that as housing prices increase, so does the homeless population. However, there are actions to be taken to help those in need: various types of federal housing programs specifically designed to aid struggling families financially and physically. Gentrification can be defined as the process of refining and revamping a district so it conforms to middle-class taste. As gentrification causes real estate market to increase prices on housing, the numbers in the homeless population incrementally escalates. Households that are below the median income are often at risk for not being able to afford housing. One of the causes for increases in housing prices is the Starbucks Effect. A real estate research group called Zillow found that between 1997 and 2014, homes within a quarter mile of a Starbucks increased in value by 96 percent, on average.1 Julie Lerch, a woman mentioned in the website, can confirm the Starbucks effect. A little over a year after she moved into her condo in Chicago, a Starbucks opened approximately 1-2 blocks away from her. Three years later, she sold her 2-bedroom condo for $100,000, which is 53 percent more than what she paid for.1 Across the metro areas, cities such as Chicago, Boston, Washington, and Philadelphia, homes near a Starbucks are generally more preferential than homes without. In Chicago, the median value of homes near Starbucks rose 59 percent.2 In an excerpt from the book Zillow Talk, CEO Spencer Rascoff and Chief Economist Stan Humphries came to the conclusion that: In Boston, the median value of all homes in 1997 was $155,600, and that increased b y December 2013 to $351,100, an increase of 125.6 percent. Boston homes within a quarter mile of a Starbucks in January 1997 were valued at a median of $175,930. In December 2013, their median value was $476,778 a 171 percent increase.3 From the quote above, we can see that Starbucks has made its mark in Boston. Another popular coffee chain is Dunkin Donuts. As Dunkin Donuts are being built near homes, their price value increases but not as high as Starbucks. Shwartz4 In the graph above, we see that with the placement of Dunkin Donuts in certain areas, the cost in housing does increase. However, with Starbucks, the housing prices differ up to 50K which could be a detrimental difference when owning a home. The affordability and availability of the general housing market correlates with homelessness. The costs of living increases while household salaries remain the same. In a research conducted by the University of Utah, they saw that the housing affordability in Utah, over the long term, is threatened due to the difference in increases between housing prices and household income. From the study, they found that the annual rate of increase in housing prices 3.32% versus the annual rate of increase in household income which is only 0.36%7. To alleviate the pressures and fears of losing a home and ensure the preservation of housing affordability, existing affordable housing units should be protected. The nation loses more than 400,000 affordable housing units every year due to disinvestment and disrepair4. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs goal is to provide financial aid for supportive housing for low-income families. A branch within this program is called Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD). RADs primary purpose is to give public housing agencies a tool to protect and improve public housing properties. By doing this, RADs aim is to preserve these limited public housing units by converting them to other federal based housing assistance, an example would be project based vouchers15. As of October 2015, more than $2.5 billion of external funding has been raised for about 19,000 units.8 Four major programs that account for almost all of the federal spending on affordable housing assistance for people with low incomes are: Tenant-Based Assistance (TBRA), Project-Based Rental Assistance (synonymous for Project-Based Section 8), operating funds, and capital funds. Through this, the programs set a limit that allows tenants to pay no more than 30 percent of their income towards their rent. Together, all four programs stipulate affordable housing for more than 5 million people in over 2 million households16. A challenge that is faced when preserving affordable housing units can be seen in California. In order to address housing needs, California must be able to plan for the continuous building of housing developments. Unstable subsidy can make it difficult when planning for new, affordable housing development over time. It also makes it difficult to narrow down construc tion, fees, and program requirements18. In the figure below, we see that the decline in federal HOME and Community Development Block Grant funding to California between 2003 and 2015. In general, funding levels for federal housing programs have slowly decreased over the years. Several families endure additional challenges besides the affordability of available homes. For example, people who leaving homelessness might not have a sufficient credit score that is required to rent a home or apartment. Even with the Housing Choice Vouchers that aid with rent, it is still difficult for many households to find affordable homes. On a more positive note, a more recent action that took place in San Diego in efforts to preserve and create more affordable housing units. At the beginning of September 2018, San Diegos Housing Commission announced that they will administer up to $50 million to build and preserve affordable housing and rental units. Los Angeles County also has leveraged $1.7 billion in public and private funds towards the construction and preservation of 3.362 affordable apartments over the last five years19. Two-thirds of those apartments are reserved for persons that are dealing with homelessness, mental illness, and physical disabilities. According to a report by the County Chief Executive Office and the Community Development Commission/Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles has helped house over 21,000 households though the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program19. In the time frame of 2017-2018, a total of 29,081 families have been assisted with housing matters through the County Chief Executive Office and the Community Development Commission/Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles. An additional approach to fight against the negatives of gentrification was a program that was established specifically for homelessness is rapid re-housing. Rapid re-housing is an intervention that helps individuals and families experiencing homelessness to return to permanent homes as quickly as possible. Rapid re-housing was developed by local service providers attempting to address a specific problem in their communities: homelessness13. These providers saw that there were many families either in temporary housing si tuations or just homeless due to the lack of housing affordability. This is done through housing identification, and move-in assistance, and case management.10 Housing identification is the process when households are matched to their appropriate and affordable housing. Move-in assistance is a time-limited financial support that is provided to help individuals and families get back on their feet. Case management services are provided to help the families and individuals understand the barriers of homelessness and how they can prevent it. For example, these services include addressing credit history and lease agreements etc. After they receive housing, these services also provide knowledge in other amenities such as public benefits, employment, and health care etc. A study called the Family Options Study found that the average program cost for rapid re-housing was approximately $6,578, rather than $16,829 for an emergency shelter10. In 2014, 29,506 beds, funded from multiple sources, was obligated to rapid re-housing for families across the country13. This represented about 8 percent of beds for homeless families which increased from 2013 which was 5 percent, represented in the graph below. An additional benefit from rapid re-housing is that it has lower barriers to entry rather than other housing programs such as project-based transitional housing. For example, only 10 percent of families reviewed for rapid re-housing were unable to gain it while 17 percent of families reviewed for project-based transitional housing were unable to gain housing13. An evaluation was conducted by HUDs to see the statistics of families that entered rapid re-housing. Of the 23 sites that received funding for rapid re-housing: Over one-fifth (22 percent) exit in fewer than 30 days, 11 percent exit in 31 to 60 days, 34 percent exit in 61 to 180 days, 22 percent exit in 181 to 365 days, and 9 percent exit in 366 to 547 days (HUD 2013b). 13 Nation-wide, about 82 percent of families who entered rapid re-housing exited successfully into permanent housing (from summary report on year two of HPRP (HUD 2013b). Several studies of this found that the rates of these individuals and families returning back to becoming homeless are low. Although the rates are low, most families that leave rapid re-housing, about 76 percent, move to another home at least once13. There were also families that faced challenges after exiting the program. In all, 70 percent worried about food security, 57 percent struggled with money for rent, 14 percent had a child expelled or susp ended from school within the last year, and 17 percent reported deteriorating health (Oliva 2014; Spellman 2015).13 Despite the statistics above, the rates of individuals that go back to becoming homeless are lower than the years before. Although gentrification is seen as a positive action on neighborhoods among the upper-middle class, it has a negative effect on the lower-class individuals and families. By pushing out these lower-class individuals to build more fancy buildings that fit the upper-middle classs standards and aesthetics, it leaves the lower-class individuals homeless in the dust. Homelessness is the mere product of economic and societal policy choices. This accidental targeting of lower-class individuals makes it hard for them to find affordable housing. A possible solution that was previously mentioned were the various types of housing programs specifically designed to aid homeless families financially and physically by giving a temporary home and then placing them into permanent homes after. These programs are specifically designed to help individuals that have been removed from their homes get back on feet. Data from the rapid re-housing program has shown that it reduces returns to homelessness. According to the Annual Homeless Assessment Reports of 2017, it seems that these federal housing programs helped in the decrease of the homeless population. Homeless families with children had decreased by 5.4 percent throughout the nation since 2016. The report also found that 553,742 people experienced homelessness in the United States which is only a 0.7 increas e since 2016 and a 13.1 percent decrease since 201012. Thirty states have reported decreases in homelessness between 2016 and 2017. Works Cited Markets Where Starbucks Boosts Home Values the Most. Mortgage Learning Center, 28 Oct. 2016, www.zillow.com/blog/starbucks-home-values-170734/. Anderson, Jamie. Starbucks: Inspiring and Nurturing the Human Spirit by Caffeinating Home Values. Mortgage Learning Center, 3 May 2016, www.zillow.com/research/starbucks-home-value-appreciation-8912/. Cappadona, Bryanna. Zillows Starbucks Effect Has Venti-Sized Holes. Boston Magazine, Boston Magazine, 12 Mar. 2015, www.bostonmagazine.com/property/2015/03/12/starbucks-effect-zillow-boston/. Schwartz, Elaine. How the Starbucks Effect Relates to Housing Prices. Econlife, 12 Sept. 2018, econlife.com/2018/09/housing-price-starbucks-effect/. https://gardner.utah.edu/wp-content/uploads/HousingBrief.pdf https://www.nationalhomeless.org/publications/facts/Federal.pdf https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/Insights-Ensuring-Equitable-Growth.pdf https://www.usich.gov/resources/uploads/asset_library/evidence-behind-approaches-that-end-homelessness.pdf https://www.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/2017-AHAR-Part-1.pdf https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/2017/HUDNo_17-109 https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/54201/2000265-Rapid-Re-housing-What-the-Research-Says.pdf https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gentrification 15. https://www.nlchp.org/ProtectTenants2018 Â  https://endhomelessness.org/ending-homelessness/policy/affordable-housing/ https://www.sdhc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/SDHC-50-Million-to-Create-and-Preserve-Affordable-Housing.pdf 18. https://www.hcd.ca.gov/policy-research/plans-reports/docs/Californias-Housing-Future-Main-Document-Draft.pdf