F. Home prices
1. Owning a home is a dream for a lot of people. Many people want to be able to buy their own home. Many families live in homes all over the world. Since homes are large, they cost a lot of money. Most people cannot pay all of the money for a house at one time. They need to pay some money each month. In California, the price of a house has gone up. In just the past year, the prices have risen and are continuing to go up.
E. Homeless people
2. There is a problem in many countries. The problem is that many people don't have places to live. Sometimes people lose their job and can't afford to pay rent. Some are teenagers who ran away from home. They often sleep in their cars or in public places. Sometimes they sleep in parks or under bridges. They beg for money on the streets. The country does not like having homeless people living on the streets.
B. Some problems of the homeless
3. Being homeless can be harmful to a person's health. It is not healthy to live on the street. Some cities provide shelters for these people. But the shelters are usually very crowded. Sometimes the shelters are not safe. Homeless people are often sick. In shelters, they can spread their illness to others. Shelters can provide beds, but they can't meet all the needs of the homeless people. The homeless often have many other problems. Some homeless people have mental illness. Some are addicted to drugs. Some are alcoholics. Some have lost their families.
A. Real help for the homeless
4. In one city a plan has been developed to end the problem of homelessness. The city will provide stable housing. Clean, safe apartments will be rented to homeless people. Then the homeless won't have to live in crowded shelters. No one will be denied an apartment. Some services will help them find a job. Classes will teach them special skills, and how to keep their job. The plan will also provide mental health services. This will help the clients become healthy enough to live a normal life.
D. A chance to buy a house
5. When a family does not have very much money, it is hard for them to buy a house. There is a company that helps people get a house to live in. Part of the deal is that the family helps to build the house. This helps to keep the cost of the house down. One man is building a house with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. He always wanted a house for his family. The company helps to pay for the supplies. It also helps to pay for the land. The family then pays back the money later.