Homeless

I hope I didn't sound critical of those who are genuinely homeless. I've had no direct or indirect experience of being homeless and it's easy to be cynical when you encounter those who are in effect 'professional beggars'. I've worked in several cities where they were a considerable menace.
 

Some of the homeless prefer it to be homeless. That being said, I am a sucker for some of these people. Generally, I will give a man or lady on the street corner a dollar or two. I am aware that some (most) of the homeless do not use the money as it is intended to be used, but if I hit 1 out of 10, then I am OK doing it. San Francisco used to be known as the homeless capital of the U.S. Having lived and visiting Cleveland many, many times, that city has to be in the top ten of having homeless people walk the streets. Like others, I have no answer. The last report that I read stated that there are about a half million homeless in the U.S. I would have thought the number would have been higher.

Our church opens their doors on really cold nights and they each get a hot dish and a sleeping bag to cozy up for the night in our all purpose room. I think that we have had as many as 15 people on one evening. Our church is not located in center city, so the homeless has to look to find us. We do get repeats. In the morning, they are offered to be taken to the Salvation Army where they can shower and get a fresh change of clothes. Some of these people have very interesting stories to tell.
 
WhatInThe said:
There is no "the" answer because of all the different causes or motivations for being homeless. In the end with anyone with any issue or predicament the goal to should to help them help themselves. To at least strive for independence and do things on their own.
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This is a major point missed in most plans for aiding the homeless. Though the circumstances for homelessness varies from one individual to another, we are seeing a lot of our vets whom are becoming homeless. Our homeless are/should be a major concern for" us" all, but our vets in particular, should become the primary concern of everyone. We called, they responded, now they are calling, tis time for "us" to respond. Please do not misconstrue, there should be no human being without food and/or a proper home, healthcare, and educational opportunities..
 
And for some homeless, that is the way some like it and being pushed into shelters or 'homes' is just too much for them. One place I lived was where there were transient that were there in the summer, gone for the winter, back again next summer.
 
BobF said:
And for some homeless, that is the way some like it and being pushed into shelters or 'homes' is just too much for them. One place I lived was where there were transient that were there in the summer, gone for the winter, back again next summer.
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This is so true.
 
Capt Lightning said:
I hope I didn't sound critical of those who are genuinely homeless. I've had no direct or indirect experience of being homeless and it's easy to be cynical when you encounter those who are in effect 'professional beggars'. I've worked in several cities where they were a considerable menace.
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Why is it easy? Is it also easy to distinguish between the professional beggars and the amateurs? Are the professionals the ones who beg for money?

I really want to know how you tell the difference because I can't.
 
I always buy a copy of The Big Issue when I am in the city. It is a project that has helped disadvantaged and homeless people for some 20 years. It began in the UK and also took on out here.


The Big Issue magazine celebrates 20 years of changing lives in Melbourne

June 7, 2016 12:00am
Rebecca David


THERE aren’t many employers who don’t care about your education and job history — or whether you even have one.
Since 1996 The Big Issue has hired hundreds of Melburnians facing homelessness, unemployment and disadvantage.

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It started with a group of 20 people spruiking the magazine on the steps of Flinders St Station and now has more than 500 sellers nationwide.

Concerned about the growing number of homeless people in the city, a group of Melbourne businesspeople looked to social enterprises around the world and was inspired by street magazine The Big Issue in the UK.

In Australia vendors buy the magazine — produced by a small team of paid writers and editors — for $3.50 and sell it for $7, keeping the profits.

The Big Issue spokes*woman Emma O’Halloran said readers saw the magazine as both a good read and a chance to help people in need.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/...e/news-story/d189afa5ea3b29b8ac0467252187730c
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We here do have homeless facilities, a number of them to be honest and still we have homeless living on the street. Why? I don't know, I believe part of the reason is we are still lacking in space, and the other may be because some homeless don't want to go to a facility of any sort, or do not know any better and stay on the street.
The real sad part about being homeless here is we have such long winters and the cold weather dips below 20C often and still there are homeless bundled up living on the street.
Myself personally can't afford to give a ton to the homeless but I have on and off throughout my life time given an individual cash. What they do with it is their business and if it's getting them by for another day so be it. What I do in my personal life is my choice as well.
 
Butterfly, as long as people equate money with "righteousness," the pull up your socks, you loser, mentality will blind many to the harsh realities of homelessness. For some, it is only two paychecks, or one more beat down away.
 
A few years ago we became homeless , we were in our mid 50's at the time .. we became homeless for trying to do the right thing , something
I would do all over again , it's a shock to your entire being , it's traumatizing to say the least , it's very scarey especially trying to find a place to rest for awhile because sleep does not come easy , your always on the move , the noise out on the streets is like no other , you hear it all ..
I'm here to tell you if you become chronically homeless you are going to also develop some serious mental issues if you don't already have them .. there are so many reasons , so many stories , you'd be amazed by who some of the homeless are , alot of them collage graduates..
It's a struggle to say the least , homelessness is a very hard thing to recover from , one thing I learned from being homeless , No Oneed
is Immune from it ...
 
Wildfire said:
A few years ago we became homeless , we were in our mid 50's at the time .. we became homeless for trying to do the right thing , something
I would do all over again , it's a shock to your entire being , it's traumatizing to say the least , it's very scarey especially trying to find a place to rest for awhile because sleep does not come easy , your always on the move , the noise out on the streets is like no other , you hear it all ..
I'm here to tell you if you become chronically homeless you are going to also develop some serious mental issues if you don't already have them .. there are so many reasons , so many stories , you'd be amazed by who some of the homeless are , alot of them collage graduates..
It's a struggle to say the least , homelessness is a very hard thing to recover from , one thing I learned from being homeless , No Oneed
is Immune from it ...
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I hear ya.
 
Most of the homeless are that way by choice. Mental Health is the major reason, but the choice not to take advantage of shelter is still free choice. I realize that I live in Nirvana compared to many people. In my area no one NEEDS to spend a night without shelter or a day with out a meal. Many do, but once again food and shelter are available for any that want it.

There is no answer and in my mind not really a problem. I am not willing to throw more tax dollars at a problem with no answers. Most of the funds would be used up in support and administration, with a mere pittance being used for direct aid.
 
I agree that many of the hardcore homeless do have some sort of mental illness and tend to be loners that prefer living on the fringe of society rather than in a shelter. I don't often see those fellas panhandling, most of them have a VA or SS check and or they attempt to make a little money recycling cans or scrap metal.

Most of the panhandlers I see in my area are younger. Some appear to be well dressed with nice haircuts and appear to be hustling a couple of bucks. The majority of them look pretty rough as though they may have an alcohol or drug problem.

In my area I also see many "average" people who just had a rough time keeping it all together. I'm amazed and saddened by the number of people I see that spend nights sleeping in cars and trucks at our local Walmart. It appears to me that many of these people have jobs but just can't scratch together the couple thousand dollars it takes to get into an apartment so they can start over.

I give through our local soup kitchen when I can. They have a "closet" and can always use socks, gloves, hats, sweatshirts, etc... They also accept grocery store gift cards that they use to round out the food that they get from the food bank.

I really don't think that it is a problem that the government can solve or that will ever be eliminated.
 
Aunt Bea said:
I agree that many of the hardcore homeless do have some sort of mental illness and tend to be loners that prefer living on the fringe of society rather than in a shelter. I don't often see those fellas panhandling, most of them have a VA or SS check and or they attempt to make a little money recycling cans or scrap metal.

Most of the panhandlers I see in my area are younger. Some appear to be well dressed with nice haircuts and appear to be hustling a couple of bucks. The majority of them look pretty rough as though they may have an alcohol or drug problem.

In my area I also see many "average" people who just had a rough time keeping it all together. I'm amazed and saddened by the number of people I see that spend nights sleeping in cars and trucks at our local Walmart. It appears to me that many of these people have jobs but just can't scratch together the couple thousand dollars it takes to get into an apartment so they can start over.

I give through our local soup kitchen when I can. They have a "closet" and can always use socks, gloves, hats, sweatshirts, etc... They also accept grocery store gift cards that they use to round out the food that they get from the food bank.

I really don't think that it is a problem that the government can solve or that will ever be eliminated.
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If you look over this thread you will see that there have been successful programs that have helped the homeless.
 

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