Tish
SF VIP
- Location
- Rural N.S.W. Australia
I have to ask, what did they do with the 60mil they got to battle the homeless?
The homeless are now camping out in O’Hare airport
- Thread starter CarolfromTX
- Start date
Problem is many homeless seem to shun shelters even though it's warm with a bed. Also many shelters don't want the homeless hanging out during the day they have to wait until a certain time to come back in. Same for many addicts and so called safe injection sites.
They could set up some really nice tent cities if they want to but they would require staffing including constant supervision.
I noticed in many pictures they're taking off their shoes/boots which is good believe or not but the smell in certain areas-yikes. Airports along with airplanes tend to have crappy air as-is.
fuzzybuddy
SF VIP
- Location
- The Sticks, Northeast PA.
The state governments got out of the psych. business when they closed down the state hospitals. Supposedly the state was to fund group homes, and continued care, but that never happened. When we were hunter/gathers, living in small tribes, we cared for our own, who could not care for themselves. Today, it's too expensive, and too much of an imposition to care for those, who can't care for themselves.
David777
Well-known Member
- Location
- Silicon Valley
There are solutions for homeless, we've discussed them here and so have some in news media. I could end it quickly. However the dominant lying manipulative political and economic forces won't change because they have all power to ignore the few in public complaining loud enough to be noticed versus the multitude more advocates unleash that their media is quick to push. As HC said in private to an elite Wallstreet group about the actual sewer ethics in her profession that was later leaked:
In an April 2013 speech to the National Multifamily Housing Council, HC said politicians must balance "both a public and a private position" while making deals... "It is unsavory, and it always has been that way, but we usually end up where we need to be," HC said. "But if everybody's watching, you know, all of the back room discussions and the deals, you know, then people get a little nervous to say the least. So, you need both a public and a private position."
In an April 2013 speech to the National Multifamily Housing Council, HC said politicians must balance "both a public and a private position" while making deals... "It is unsavory, and it always has been that way, but we usually end up where we need to be," HC said. "But if everybody's watching, you know, all of the back room discussions and the deals, you know, then people get a little nervous to say the least. So, you need both a public and a private position."
NorthernLight
Well-known Member
- Location
- Northern BC
Who is HC?
Victoria
Member
- Location
- San Diego, California
In saw a homeless tweeker zombie walking up and down my street talking to herself.
That's the first one I've seen up close in person and in my neighborhood. She looked scary. I hope that's not a sign of more to come. They are camping out everywhere now. It's crazy. I feel sorry for the ones homeless due to financial difficulties, but I don't like the ones homeless because of being drug addicts.
Victoria
Member
- Location
- San Diego, California
George1959
Senior Member
Yes, but what comes first, becoming homeless or becoming a drug addict?In saw a homeless tweeker zombie walking up and down my street talking to herself.
If you're not crazy/drug addled when first becoming homeless, it won't be long until you are
NorthernLight
Well-known Member
- Location
- Northern BC
I moved far away, because the rents here are a fraction of what they are in most other cities and towns. Even so, I'm about $150 a month from being homeless.
I assure you I'm not a drug addict. Am I mentally ill?
I assure you I'm not a drug addict. Am I mentally ill?
George1959
Senior Member
Exactly my thoughts. So it is.
Bella
ᕙ ᕗ ᕙ ᕗ ᕙ ᕗ ᕙ ᕗ
My friend, you're far from mentally ill, in fact, you're way smarter than the average bear.
In many instances, there's a very small margin between being able to afford some type of shelter and being forced onto the streets, and it has nothing to do with being mentally ill or drug addicted. Things happen to people that are out of their control that rapidly change their lives. Then they find themselves in a position that's next to impossible to get out of without some real help.
Shalimar
SF VIP
- Location
- Vancouver Island Canada
I grow weary of condemnation towards people in situations beyond their control. Poverty/homelessness is not automatically a character flaw. I was homeless once. Fortunately, someone saved me from a very unpleasant fate.
Yup, Homeless today isn't what homeless was decades ago. As it is viewed differently good and bad.
Also with many young/younger people it seems many view an apartment in particular as a crash pad. They view it as temporary until they get a real or better paying job. But it never happens. By viewing their 'home' as a crash pad and not live "normal" like going to bed and not passing out or falling asleep in front of the tv they don't realize how good they have it and have less incentive to work extra hard to keep it.
I know people who are heavy drinkers to say the least. But roomed with people in apartments until they were half century old. But they didn't care when younger because their apartment was a crash pad-literally. And they were one wrong step from streets if they weren't there already. Then one day in a moment of clarity they said they couldn't stand living with a bunch of people anymore wanted things like some privacy and storage they didn't have to rent. So after a good job run they rented a house over a decade ago. Even mentioned matress shopping good vs bad. Still a drunk but still in a house.They have something they don't want to lose.
David777
Well-known Member
- Location
- Silicon Valley
Since this thread has run its course...
Much people complain about homelessness comes from a lack of full understanding of the complex issues with several groups of homeless types they lump into the same mix. Many won't like what I'll relate for solutions because they are harsh. The following link is an informative thorough summary read though IMO somewhat biased, flawed for the sake of advocates.
https://calmatters.org/explainers/californias-homelessness-crisis-explained/
If one goes to advocate sites, one will read the primary issue is a lack of housing. But the only housing acceptable to them is the most expensive. They are fine with the notion of housing homeless indefinitely for free off public funds in urban areas regardless of whether they are trying to improve themselves to leave those programs or are free from drug use. And of course some in their limited poor hopeless state then cause problems, especially crime.
Those with non-drug mental illness issues need to be isolated from the public in special mental health programs. Those with drug caused mental issues need to forcibly go cold turkey and if they later still refuse to give up that lifestyle, then need to be isolated from urban areas where they cause huge problems even if such is a form of life long incarceration paid for by the public. Same with the no skill, socially flawed people that cannot hold jobs, and confirmed criminals. Otherwise they will just return to cities and repeat their unacceptable lifestyles preying on the rest of us that none of us wants. Today states like California with a less harsh winter climate and much social and housing services are a Mecca for homeless. Although the above link relates most are local residents, that narrative has been manipulated by defining local as recent periods. If instead homeless numbers are filtered by those that have lived in the state less than say 5 years, then one indeed finds many have not lived in the state long.
What the article does get right is the primary factor is "High rents drive up homelessness". And though unstated, yeah the real bad guys are wealthy Wallstreet, financial, and real estate corporations that have been skewering working class people for years because they have all the power to do so that also fund political campaigns. Yeah the same arrogantly now advertising out in the open ones to all the world's wealthy to buy up all the mobile home parks and other formerly low cost housing that they then jack up rent on and have their political puppets then proclaim as a diversion, we need more housing. The same one's in both parties at the same time letting in endless low skill cheap labor foreigners for the sake of their global economy, that put pressure on low end housing where they often cope living in sardine like groups. That then puts upward pressure on working middle class housing so they can pay for the only new insanely expensive housing being built. Housing middle class folks wouldn't otherwise choose. Until we stop that at the top, we are doomed.
Another key reason homeless that can't afford rents live in urban areas is that is where most of the available low skill, low wage jobs are. But they cannot afford the rents so live on the streets. Many of those are not in tents but rather illegally parked in vehicles. Thus what cities ought do is set up special areas say in industrial areas where such vehicles can park with water, rest rooms, trash dumpsters with pick-up and social services. Those are a segment that want to work and get out of their situation and could with better help.
Much people complain about homelessness comes from a lack of full understanding of the complex issues with several groups of homeless types they lump into the same mix. Many won't like what I'll relate for solutions because they are harsh. The following link is an informative thorough summary read though IMO somewhat biased, flawed for the sake of advocates.
https://calmatters.org/explainers/californias-homelessness-crisis-explained/
If one goes to advocate sites, one will read the primary issue is a lack of housing. But the only housing acceptable to them is the most expensive. They are fine with the notion of housing homeless indefinitely for free off public funds in urban areas regardless of whether they are trying to improve themselves to leave those programs or are free from drug use. And of course some in their limited poor hopeless state then cause problems, especially crime.
Those with non-drug mental illness issues need to be isolated from the public in special mental health programs. Those with drug caused mental issues need to forcibly go cold turkey and if they later still refuse to give up that lifestyle, then need to be isolated from urban areas where they cause huge problems even if such is a form of life long incarceration paid for by the public. Same with the no skill, socially flawed people that cannot hold jobs, and confirmed criminals. Otherwise they will just return to cities and repeat their unacceptable lifestyles preying on the rest of us that none of us wants. Today states like California with a less harsh winter climate and much social and housing services are a Mecca for homeless. Although the above link relates most are local residents, that narrative has been manipulated by defining local as recent periods. If instead homeless numbers are filtered by those that have lived in the state less than say 5 years, then one indeed finds many have not lived in the state long.
What the article does get right is the primary factor is "High rents drive up homelessness". And though unstated, yeah the real bad guys are wealthy Wallstreet, financial, and real estate corporations that have been skewering working class people for years because they have all the power to do so that also fund political campaigns. Yeah the same arrogantly now advertising out in the open ones to all the world's wealthy to buy up all the mobile home parks and other formerly low cost housing that they then jack up rent on and have their political puppets then proclaim as a diversion, we need more housing. The same one's in both parties at the same time letting in endless low skill cheap labor foreigners for the sake of their global economy, that put pressure on low end housing where they often cope living in sardine like groups. That then puts upward pressure on working middle class housing so they can pay for the only new insanely expensive housing being built. Housing middle class folks wouldn't otherwise choose. Until we stop that at the top, we are doomed.
Another key reason homeless that can't afford rents live in urban areas is that is where most of the available low skill, low wage jobs are. But they cannot afford the rents so live on the streets. Many of those are not in tents but rather illegally parked in vehicles. Thus what cities ought do is set up special areas say in industrial areas where such vehicles can park with water, rest rooms, trash dumpsters with pick-up and social services. Those are a segment that want to work and get out of their situation and could with better help.
NorthernLight
Well-known Member
- Location
- Northern BC
Or, provide information about where prospects might be better. In southern BC, I was living in a guesthouse, with all the hassles of communal living. Plus, I had to live in a tent in the summer so my room could be rented to tourists.
As most of you know, I moved to a town where rents are much cheaper. Now I have my own self-contained apartment, where I can shut the door and live my life. Quite a difference.
Meanwhile, there is a shortage of workers in this town. Even fast food workers are brought in from other countries. A minimum-wage or retired Canadian can actually live here in comfort. If course, many wouldn't want to, because of the isolation, etc. But some might jump at the chance.
As most of you know, I moved to a town where rents are much cheaper. Now I have my own self-contained apartment, where I can shut the door and live my life. Quite a difference.
Meanwhile, there is a shortage of workers in this town. Even fast food workers are brought in from other countries. A minimum-wage or retired Canadian can actually live here in comfort. If course, many wouldn't want to, because of the isolation, etc. But some might jump at the chance.
VaughanJB
Scrappy VIP
The homeless situation is prime ground for knee-jerk reactions. Drug addicts, losers, criminals, and people you'd rather your daughter not associate with......
Still, the big questions go answered. Why? What is it about our society that allows this to become a thing? Whether we like it or not, we live in a community, a society. 50% or so of the people around us don't agree with us politically, and no doubt will have all kinds of other disagreements. Some rail against drug abuse but admit to smoking weed. We often act as though we make good choices, and it's everyone else making bad ones.
Drugs pour over the borders, and we act as though it's easy to stop it if only there was the will. This clearly isn't the case. Be it a security check, a wall, an army - drugs come into the country because people like and want drugs, and it's not just the homeless. The homeless are those at one end of an extreme, that's all.
The question is, how did we get here, and what are we going to do about it. Criminalizing these people doesn't work. Ostrasizing them doesn't work. What ideas are there? These are fellow Americans, and whilst we want to put a barrier between them and their bad decisions, the reality is we're not so far removed. One debt, one lost job, one medical emergency.
A society should be judged by how it treats its poorest, not it's richest or middle class. It's not just housing, it's medical care, psychology, and just plain caring. Empathy is needed, because as much as our "freedom" gives us independence, we still belong as only one part of a whole.
Still, the big questions go answered. Why? What is it about our society that allows this to become a thing? Whether we like it or not, we live in a community, a society. 50% or so of the people around us don't agree with us politically, and no doubt will have all kinds of other disagreements. Some rail against drug abuse but admit to smoking weed. We often act as though we make good choices, and it's everyone else making bad ones.
Drugs pour over the borders, and we act as though it's easy to stop it if only there was the will. This clearly isn't the case. Be it a security check, a wall, an army - drugs come into the country because people like and want drugs, and it's not just the homeless. The homeless are those at one end of an extreme, that's all.
The question is, how did we get here, and what are we going to do about it. Criminalizing these people doesn't work. Ostrasizing them doesn't work. What ideas are there? These are fellow Americans, and whilst we want to put a barrier between them and their bad decisions, the reality is we're not so far removed. One debt, one lost job, one medical emergency.
A society should be judged by how it treats its poorest, not it's richest or middle class. It's not just housing, it's medical care, psychology, and just plain caring. Empathy is needed, because as much as our "freedom" gives us independence, we still belong as only one part of a whole.
Chicago mayor moves to evict homeless sleepers from O'Hare Int'l Airport
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says the city is taking steps to remove homeless people who have been sleeping in O'Hare International Airport, calling their presence a risk to security.
"We have taken and will continue to take the steps that are necessary to move people out of the airports," Lightfoot told reporters.
"We absolutely fundamentally cannot have people sleeping in our airports who are homeless. That is unacceptable," she said. "We are going to continue, within the bounds of the law, to do what is necessary to provide those folks with support but elsewhere. They can't be in our airports."
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/202...-homeless-people-ohare-airport/9321676757929/
She's running to keep her seat as mayor. I think the election is pretty soon.
Remy
Well-known Member
- Location
- California, USA
It's got to be cold and that's where they go. I assume the terminal is open all night. There have been homeless in one of the post office lobbies also in my town.
They cleared the gulch out behind work and the empty lot next door. They have not come back, at least no tents on encampments. There was one guy on the property a few weeks ago, I told our maintenance man and he went and talked to him.
Because I feed the ferals behind some tall bushes next to the gulch, I've ran across them from time to time. I've never had one homeless person bother me. I am cautious however.
They cleared the gulch out behind work and the empty lot next door. They have not come back, at least no tents on encampments. There was one guy on the property a few weeks ago, I told our maintenance man and he went and talked to him.
Because I feed the ferals behind some tall bushes next to the gulch, I've ran across them from time to time. I've never had one homeless person bother me. I am cautious however.
OneEyedDiva
SF VIP
- Location
- New Jersey
There was a man who lived in an airport for almost two decades. I believe he died recently. Google it if you'd like more information. I can't post any links right now because I'm using my tablet.