One of the most important social problems is that of the homeless population. According to Korge & Furst, 24% of homeless people are severely mentally ill, 20% are physically disabled, 19% have a job, 14% are victims of domestic violence, 14% are veterans, while 3% are HIV positive (Chp. 2.4, 2012). While there are numerous programs and policies to eradicate homelessness, we still see the numbers continue to increase. Essentially, social theories such as conflict theories, functionalism, and symbolic interactionism have been foundational methods used to study and examine social issues such as homelessness. Therefore, there is a continued need for a focus on expanding innovative methods and policies for vulnerable populations. For example, conflict theory would be the best fit for a sociological theory. These theorists would probably not consider homelessness at all, per se. They would call capitalist intentions “the problem”. A conflict theorist would argue that the reason homelessness continues is not because of a homeless person's supposed inability (or unwillingness) to progress and be self-sufficient. Rather, the conflict theorist would most likely theorize that the cause of homelessness comes from the capitalist (higher SES) social classes, which afflict those who cannot find a job or own a home. Furthermore, when the same oppressors who deny work to those who need it, the victims of the economic underclass will be the thorn in the side, instead of being the flower that blooms. The second theory that helps explain homelessness is the interactional theory. Interactional theorists would agree that the pop of homelessness... at the center of the paper......essnesshttp://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/homelessness/symposium07/leginski/index.htmNational Alliance to End Homelessness ( 2007). Homelessness matters. Retrieved November 18, 2013, from http://www.naeh.org/content/article/detail/1440Ravenhill M. (2012) London Metropolitan University: British Homelessness: TheoreticalPerspectives Retrieved from: http://www.meganravinhill/university/british / homelessness/theoretical/perspectives/htmlSantich, K. (2009, May 11). Coalition for the Homeless Announces New Men's Center and More Services. McClatchy - Tribune Business News. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/455965704?accountid=32521Salvation Army assists those in need during Cold Weather Salvation Army: More people seek shelter from the cold. (2009, January 23). Virginian - Pilot. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/388839142?accountid=32521