The Homeless

[mellowyellow]

In Brazil, Priest Julio Lancellotti breaking stones put under a bridge to prevent homeless people from sleeping.

This wonderful man is trying to help while we sit idly by and watch how the cities of the world thinks up new ways to prevent the homeless from cluttering up the sidewalks. I know there is nothing we can do personally, but the way we (the lucky ones) turn a blind eye and pretend it isn't happening doesn't seem right. What do you think?

 

[Aunt Marg]

I can't speak for other countries, but as far as I'm concerned, in the West, homelessness and hungry shouldn't exist.

Bless Priest Julio Lancellotti.

 

[asp3]

If this is deemed political please let me know and I'll edit it to say removed.

We can educate ourselves about what has worked in other places and elect officials who are willing to enact potentially unpopular programs in order to help us reduce the situation.

There is a program in the Pacific northwest that provides stable housing to homeless people which also includes access to assistance where they live. The program has already proven to get a greater percentage of people off the street and then able to start living independently in housing they pay for. In addition the cost of the provided housing is less than the savings for reduced police action related to homeless issues, emergency room medical care for the homeless and other costs. I don't have an article describing the program but I can look for one if needed.

I consider homeless not so much a problem as a symptom of another problem.

 

[FastTrax]

In Brazil, Priest Julio Lancellotti breaking stones put under a bridge to prevent homeless people from sleeping.

This wonderful man is trying to help while we sit idly by and watch how the cities of the world thinks up new ways to prevent the homeless from cluttering up the sidewalks. I know there is nothing we can do personally, but the way we (the lucky ones) turn a blind eye and pretend it isn't happening doesn't seem right. What do you think?

View attachment 147679

I can't speak for other countries, but as far as I'm concerned, in the West, homelessness and hungry shouldn't exist.

Bless Priest Julio Lancellotti.

If this is deemed political please let me know and I'll edit it to say removed.

We can educate ourselves about what has worked in other places and elect officials who are willing to enact potentially unpopular programs in order to help us reduce the situation.

There is a program in the Pacific northwest that provides stable housing to homeless people which also includes access to assistance where they live. The program has already proven to get a greater percentage of people off the street and then able to start living independently in housing they pay for. In addition the cost of the provided housing is less than the savings for reduced police action related to homeless issues, emergency room medical care for the homeless and other costs. I don't have an article describing the program but I can look for one if needed.

I consider homeless not so much a problem as a symptom of another problem.

Not at all asp3. I would think a great portion of the clear thinking SF membership would understand the meaning of your message. For the most part politicians and their alter ego the insurrectionist make social issues political and usually for monitory gain or power.

Here ya go my friend.



www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/a-new-approach-to-get-homeless-people-out-of-camps-has-shown-success-but-its-funding-expires-soon/

 

[Gary O']

Seems the homeless are a lot more visible in the winter months, at least here anyway.

Wife and I stop, whenever we see a bundle in an alleyway or closed storefront alcove
Those bundles usually have a person in them
We have little bags of things for immediate needs we give out

We've done the soup kitchen thing, but not this year....yet

Portland OR had a promising program, but the rioting may have squelched that a bit

I've considered getting involved again in housing and employment programs, but there's just so many road blocks with city regs and such

So, we just do the hand out thing

I consider homeless not so much a problem as a symptom of another problem.

I'm there with that

 

[FastTrax]

Seems the homeless are a lot more visible in the winter months, at least here anyway.

Wife and I stop, whenever we see a bundle in an alleyway or closed storefront alcove
Those bundles usually have a person in them
We have little bags or things for immediate needs we give out

We've done the soup kitchen thing, but not this year....yet

Portland OR had a promising program, but the rioting may have squelched that a bit

I've considered getting involved again in housing and employment programs, but there's just so many road blocks with city regs and such

So, we just do the hand out thing

I'm there with that

Amen to that G O'

 

[asp3]

Not at all asp3. I would think a great portion of the clear thinking SF membership would understand the meaning of your message. For the most part politicians and their alter ego the insurrectionist make social issues political and usually for monitory gain or power.

Here ya go my friend.

View attachment 147746

www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/a-new-approach-to-get-homeless-people-out-of-camps-has-shown-success-but-its-funding-expires-soon/

Thank you for the article link. I had actually heard about another program possibly two to years ago (well before the pandemic) talking about a program that got homeless people into housing and then started addressing their issues. I'll see if I can find an article about it.

 

[asp3]

OK, here's an article about one that was done in Los Angeles.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-12-la-homeless-housing-money.html

Here's an article about a program in Denver that saved more than it cost.

https://endhomelessness.org/study-d...hronically-homeless-people-saves-money-lives/

This is a more generic article promoting housing homeless to save money.

https://endhomelessness.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Cost-Savings-from-PSH.pdf

Here's one about a program that worked in North Carolina.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4046466/

 

[dobielvr]

I'm all for helping the homeless, but there are some of them out there that just don't want to be helped.

Especially , if it involves getting a job, and getting back in to society.

jmo

 

[Pepper]

I'm all for helping the homeless, but there are some of them out there that just don't want to be helped.

Especially , if it involves getting a job, and getting back in to society.

jmo

Then help the other over 90% that may have become homeless through a fault not their own. As for those who don't want help fine. As it stands now the majority who need the help either don't get it or don't get enough.

There but for the grace of god.....................

 

[Jeni]

Then help the other over 90% that may have become homeless through a fault not their own. As for those who don't want help fine. As it stands now the majority who need the help either don't get it or don't get enough.

There but for the grace of god.....................

I am not sure your percentage is accurate......depending on area I feel is closer to 50% or less.

Many of the programs and such ........hit media in the short term showing great success .........but are NOT mentioned again as the programs start to show abuse or not the promised outcomes..... there are tiny house villages in seattle rent free for up to a year for people to get on their feet suppose to be no drugs.... littered with needles ..... they never enforce the rules on folks in so the real groups just needing to get on their feet are scared to participate as many are violent and dangerous.

Many of the hotel / motel rooms in the Seattle area ( in one of the above links) were trashed and damaged ended up with the cities having to compensate or buy the property... millions in damage.... if you were thrilled to get out of cold have a bed and hot shower and things........ why would they punch holes in walls throw tv or microwaves out the windows... start fires.....

another program used by many cities in the PNW pay for bus tickets to get someone back to (another city) where the homeless have family or support ....... some recipients have used this program over 6 times ....
they talk about travel for vacation .... as their family does not want them around and take care of them............ so they make their way back to "Free-attle" as it is called as they cater to the homeless........

the root cause is never discussed or touched...... even if employed and not drugs or mental health issues many have zero ability to handle money which is an important SKILL for everyone.....to budget and not get into over their head.

 

[dobielvr]

Then help the other over 90% that may have become homeless through a fault not their own. As for those who don't want help fine. As it stands now the majority who need the help either don't get it or don't get enough.

There but for the grace of god.....................

I hear you.

 

[rgp]

I'm all for helping the homeless, but there are some of them out there that just don't want to be helped.

Especially , if it involves getting a job, and getting back in to society.

jmo

I agree strongly here.

 

[peramangkelder]

'

 

[Shalimar]

I have been homeless, in a big city, almost died. Living on the street is particularly perilous for women and children. I have also worked with many homeless throughout my career. Most of those who remain on the street are there because of circumstances beyond their control, and/or an inability to function in the world. Never

have I found anyone even remotely sane who stated a preference for the dangers and deprivation of living on the street rather than getting a job/help or better accommodation. Mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence and other trauma, etc, can rob

a person of their capacity to function, to change themselves or their environment. Just look at the shame both our countries share re the thousands of homeless vets found in cities throughout Canada and USA. They gave their all to

keep us safe, they deserve better. Thousands of children are also homeless. Many of them trafficked. Considering how difficult it is for “normal” people to rise out of homelessness, imagine what obstacles the rest face. Difficult to pull oneself up by bootstraps when one lacks boots.

 

[izzy]

Bottom line is we live in a crazy world where there are people with more money than they could ever spend in their lifetime and there are people due to many different things with sweet nothing living in the gutters. If only we could live in a society where we truly cared and looked after each other rather than just looking after ourselves. Does anybody really need a second home when there are people with no homes !

 

[horseless carriage]

For what it's worth mellowyellow, I am betwixed and between. Homelessness is to be deplored and help given to those in need. Whilst Father Julio Lancellotti's protest is admirable, the catholic dogma about contraception is, as far as this catholic boy is concerned, part of the problem. The official catholic teaching forbids any use of contraception, but it's left to the foot soldiers like Father Lancellotti to deal with the fall out of that dogma. So many catholics in this world are convinced that they will spend all eternity in the fires of hell if they should ever use some sort contraception and as a result, large families and homelessness will persist.
Enough said, I don't want my wrist slapped for turning a thread into a political argument.

 

[asp3]

I think that many people buy into stereotypes and myths about the homeless and homelessness. Here are some articles that shed some light on homelessness and the homeless.

I ran into a statistic while looking for articles saying that at least 25% of the homeless are currently employed. Unfortunately I didn't flag the article so I'm not able to provide a source for the information.

Here's an article that says about 50% of the homeless in the Los Angeles area recently held a job.

https://laist.com/2020/02/27/homeless_los_angeles_working_employment_california_policy_lab.php

Here's another written by a person who used to be homeless. Although it gives an excellent explanation of the challenges faced by the homeless it doesn't have statistics backed by anything other than the author's personal experience.

https://soapboxie.com/social-issues/why-homeless-people-dont-just-get-a-job

Here's an excellent article on the state of homelessness in the United States put out in 2020. It has great links to the sources of it's information.

https://endhomelessness.org/homeles...ssness-statistics/state-of-homelessness-2020/

 

[Irwin]

I have been homeless, in a big city, almost died. Living on the street is particularly perilous for women and children. I have also worked with many homeless throughout my career. Most of those who remain on the street are there because of circumstances beyond their control, and/or an inability to function in the world. Never

have I found anyone even remotely sane who stated a preference for the dangers and deprivation of living on the street rather than getting a job/help or better accommodation. Mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence and other trauma, etc, can rob

a person of their capacity to function, to change themselves or their environment. Just look at the shame both our countries share re the thousands of homeless vets found in cities throughout Canada and USA. They gave their all to

keep us safe, they deserve better. Thousands of children are also homeless. Many of them trafficked. Considering how difficult it is for “normal” people to rise out of homelessness, imagine what obstacles the rest face. Difficult to pull oneself up by bootstraps when one lacks boots.

Where did you sleep when you were homeless?

I still believe that communes are the best solution for homeless people. Give them a decent place to live with meals and clothing, but they have to work for the benefit of the commune, and anyone who was destructive would get kicked out. It seems like that would be far better than living on the streets and eating garbage or at soup kitchens. I know it would be cheaper than what it costs to "manage" the homeless in big cities.

 

[Shalimar]

Where did you sleep when you were homeless?

I still believe that communes are the best solution for homeless people. Give them a decent place to live with meals and clothing, but they have to work for the benefit of the commune, and anyone who was destructive would get kicked out. It seems like that would be far better than living on the streets and eating garbage or at soup kitchens. I know it would be cheaper than what it costs to "manage" the homeless in big cities.

I slept on cardboard in an alley until I was assaulted. Thank God I was rescued.

 

[Irwin]

I slept on cardboard in an alley until I was assaulted. Thank God I was rescued.

How were you rescued?

 

[Shalimar]

How were you rescued?

Purely by chance, unless one believes in Fate. A vet, suffering from PTSD, and haunted by the loss of his daughter to drugs and the street, heard me crying. I was in shock. He rescued me, took me home, and patched me up. I stayed with him until I

could function again. It took a while. I owe him my life and my sanity, and I have been paying it forward ever since. No wonder so many of my clients are vets.

 

[horseless carriage]

I slept on cardboard in an alley until I was assaulted. Thank God I was rescued.

Purely by chance, unless one believes in Fate. A vet, suffering from PTSD, and haunted by the loss of his daughter to drugs and the street, heard me crying. I was in shock. He rescued me, took me home, and patched me up. I stayed with him until I

could function again. It took a while. I owe him my life and my sanity, and I have been paying it forward ever since. No wonder so many of my clients are vets.

What an inspirational story, brave of you to share it. I hope that posting it here is cathartic for you and that it might bring hope to anyone reading it. There are many who read forums but never join in.

 

[Shalimar]

What an inspirational story, brave of you to share it. I hope that posting it here is cathartic for you and that it might bring hope to anyone reading it. There are many who read forums but never join in.

Oh, thank you so much for such a kind and thoughtful post. Yes, even after all this time, there is a sense of catharsis whenever I share this experience. If my words bring hope to others then I am delighted to be of help.

 

[izzy]

Purely by chance, unless one believes in Fate. A vet, suffering from PTSD, and haunted by the loss of his daughter to drugs and the street, heard me crying. I was in shock. He rescued me, took me home, and patched me up. I stayed with him until I

could function again. It took a while. I owe him my life and my sanity, and I have been paying it forward ever since. No wonder so many of my clients are vets.

So glad to hear your awful experience had a positive outcome. No one should have to go through that.