The Homeless

[Murrmurr]

I did a search for the homeless camp you've been describing and couldn't find anything, but I would guess that the homeless people -- many of whom were drug addicts, alcoholics, and people with serious psychological issues -- didn't just sit around the camp quietly singing Kumbaya all day. They were probably wandering around the neighborhood panhandling, perhaps going into people's yards, perhaps even scaring children at the local schools.

I'm all for helping the homeless, but the residents in that area have a right to live in peace and without fear.

Irwin, I'll try to find something online, the actual newspaper article or something, and will post the link if I find it. It could have been the neighboring city of Rocklin, but I'm almost certain it was Roseville. There were pictures along with the article I read, and it looked pretty much like a big ol' Kumbaya....pictures of the woman ladling up some soup, several people lined up with bowl in hand, everyone smiling...but they were taken very soon after the place got started. Probably appeared in the Roseville Press Tribune, but I'm not sure at all.

Anyway, I'll see what I can find.

 

[Pepper]

I don't think a whole apartment is necessary except for a family. NYC used to have tons of what we called SROs--single room occupancy. It was enough then, why not try those now? Just a room with a lock on the door, shared facilities, etc. Not the best, but something cheap that is yours alone.

 

[Remy]

Wow @mellowyellow, those spike things look just evil.

Homelessness is so complicated. There are the mentally ill and people just priced out of a home. Rents and properties have gone up in my area due to California wild fires wiping out so many homes. While there is a cap on rent increases yearly they will still go up and home prices have gone up a lot. There are some people for whatever reason can't hold a job. Perhaps some of the extreme personality disorders fall into this. I'm not sure.

I wish more affordable homes could be built. Small homes, people can afford. If they are smaller homes, condos. I love tiny houses. I'm not talking about 100 square feet. But you get to 350-400 and more, and that space can be completely livable. I think tiny house is defined as less than 500, some say 600. But people have been fed the mcmansion scenario. Need a room for everything. No you don't.

I see non of this going up in my area. Just expensive new apartments to rent and more houses to buy. Nothing for a working person not making a ton of money to buy. I don't see this changing.

 

[mellowyellow]

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

 

[mellowyellow]

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

They can't all be drug addicts and alcoholics dobielvr, there are some very good people out there who have just run out of luck.

 

[izzy]

If my next door neighbor did such a thing, I would certainly do all I could to have her arrested.

 

[Buckeye]

Can I just say that I am thankful for a good roof over my head, a warm place to eat and sleep, and food on the table. Thank you God.

 

[izzy]

I think the biggest problem with homelessness is the refusal to look the problem squarely in the eye.

Most homeless people are either mentally ill or have severe substance abuse problems. Or both. Fixing the problem doesn't mean making the streets nicer for them to sleep on, or handing out meals and blankets (don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with handing out meals and blankets, but it's a band-aid.)


"Advocates" for the homeless like to portray them as down on their luck, or as typical working folks just unable to afford expensive housing.

But...

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) an estimated 64% of homeless people had drug use problems in the past month, 38% had alcohol use problems, and 39% had some form of mental health problems.

https://www.rehabspot.com/drugs/who-addiction-affects/homelessness/


Fixing this problem means spending money on supervised mental health facilities and serious drug and alcohol rehab programs. In some cases, it may mean providing purpose-built apartments for homeless people. This actually costs less than treating people for the multiple ER visits that accompany being homeless. It means changing NIMBY housing regulations to allow such housing to be built (repurposing old buildings can work).

There's nothing romantic about homelessness and taking care of the homeless doesn't mean letting them sleep on the streets. Sprawling homeless camps aren't a sign of compassion or successful municipal management, they are a sign of failure. The Mayor of LA should resign in disgrace. People have a right to navigate the streets of their own cities without worrying about needles, human feces or other problems that accompany homelessness.

There are certainly people who are homeless "through no fault of their own" but they shouldn't be encouraged (or allowed) to pitch tents. They should get the help they need to find jobs and/or housing.

This is a fiendishly complex problem and I know I'm oversimplifying. But I do know that looking at the problem through rose-colored glasses won't solve anythin

 

[Shalimar]

I think the biggest problem with homelessness is the refusal to look the problem squarely in the eye.

Most homeless people are either mentally ill or have severe substance abuse problems. Or both. Fixing the problem doesn't mean making the streets nicer for them to sleep on, or handing out meals and blankets (don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with handing out meals and blankets, but it's a band-aid.)


"Advocates" for the homeless like to portray them as down on their luck, or as typical working folks just unable to afford expensive housing.

But...

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) an estimated 64% of homeless people had drug use problems in the past month, 38% had alcohol use problems, and 39% had some form of mental health problems.

https://www.rehabspot.com/drugs/who-addiction-affects/homelessness/


Fixing this problem means spending money on supervised mental health facilities and serious drug and alcohol rehab programs. In some cases, it may mean providing purpose-built apartments for homeless people. This actually costs less than treating people for the multiple ER visits that accompany being homeless. It means changing NIMBY housing regulations to allow such housing to be built (repurposing old buildings can work).

There's nothing romantic about homelessness and taking care of the homeless doesn't mean letting them sleep on the streets. Sprawling homeless camps aren't a sign of compassion or successful municipal management, they are a sign of failure. The Mayor of LA should resign in disgrace. People have a right to navigate the streets of their own cities without worrying about needles, human feces or other problems that accompany homelessness.

There are certainly people who are homeless "through no fault of their own" but they shouldn't be encouraged (or allowed) to pitch tents. They should get the help they need to find jobs and/or housing.

This is a fiendishly complex problem and I know I'm oversimplifying. But I do know that looking at the problem through rose-colored glasses won't solve anything.

Hmm, my glasses are anything but rose coloured. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if appropriate help was always available? It isn’t. Until then, I will err on the side of compassion. If that includes “bandaids” of food, blankets, etc, so be it. I

have personally experienced what the streets had to offer. Sadly, not a great deal has changed. I am a realist, I work in the trenches, giving something is better than nothing at all.

 

[izzy]

Not everybody is dealt the same cards in life, has the same emotional and financial support from friends and family and call me an idealist but everybody should have somewhere safe and warm to sleep. Never acceptable for even one person to be sleeping on the streets when there is lots of homes (investment properties) just sitting empty.

 

[horseless carriage]

Hmm, my glasses are anything but rose coloured. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if appropriate help was always available? It isn’t. Until then, I will err on the side of compassion. If that includes “bandaids” of food, blankets, etc, so be it. I

have personally experienced what the streets had to offer. Sadly, not a great deal has changed. I am a realist, I work in the trenches, giving something is better than nothing at all.

Shalimar, you and JimBob are both right. What you know is what you have experienced, JimBob, like many of us, assumes that we are intelligent enough to know when we are sinking into the abyss. Many do not, but JimBob will have sympathetic supporters because like every other difficulty, illness or addiction in life, there will be those that purport to suffer from such. They do not of course but they do milk both the system and the human kindness of those moved to help them, thus calling into question of not only their own charlatan motives but also those of genuine need.

 

[Gary O']

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if appropriate help was always available? It isn’t. Until then, I will err on the side of compassion. If that includes “bandaids” of food, blankets, etc, so be it.

I have personally experienced what the streets had to offer. Sadly, not a great deal has changed. I am a realist, I work in the trenches, giving something is better than nothing at all.

Truth

It is a band aid
But
It's help.....NOW

 

[izzy]

Shalimar, you and JimBob are both right. What you know is what you have experienced, JimBob, like many of us, assumes that we are intelligent enough to know when we are sinking into the abyss. Many do not, but JimBob will have sympathetic supporters because like every other difficulty, illness or addiction in life, there will be those that purport to suffer from such. They do not of course but they do milk both the system and the human kindness of those moved to help them, thus calling into question of not only their own charlatan motives but also those of genuine need.

Wow

Shalimar, you and JimBob are both right. What you know is what you have experienced, JimBob, like many of us, assumes that we are intelligent enough to know when we are sinking into the abyss. Many do not, but JimBob will have sympathetic supporters because like every other difficulty, illness or addiction in life, there will be those that purport to suffer from such. They do not of course but they do milk both the system and the human kindness of those moved to help them, thus calling into question of not only their own charlatan motives but also those of genuine need.

 

[Shalimar]

Shalimar, you and JimBob are both right. What you know is what you have experienced, JimBob, like many of us, assumes that we are intelligent enough to know when we are sinking into the abyss. Many do not, but JimBob will have sympathetic supporters because like every other difficulty, illness or addiction in life, there will be those that purport to suffer from such. They do not of course but they do milk both the system and the human kindness of those moved to help them, thus calling into question of not only their own charlatan motives but also those of genuine need.

There will always be charlatans. I have run across such in my career. As to my experience with homelessness, most of that relates to the many clients I have supported through the years who were or had been homeless. With respect,

in my opinion, intelligence is not always a reliable factor in preventing one‘s slide into the abyss. Life can smack you into a spiral. No one is exempt if the circumstances are right.

 

[horseless carriage]

There will always be charlatans. I have run across such in my career. As to my experience with homelessness, most of that relates to the many clients I have supported through the years who were or had been homeless. With respect,

in my opinion, intelligence is not always a reliable factor in preventing one‘s slide into the abyss. Life can smack you into a spiral. No one is exempt if the circumstances are right.

Truly, I bow to your personal experience and as such, would never be intentionally, judgemental.

 

[izzy]

Truly, I bow to your personal experience and as such, would never be intentionally, judgemental.

 

[izzy]

 

[Shalimar]

Truly, I bow to your personal experience and as such, would never be intentionally, judgemental.

What a gracious and elegant response. You, sir, are a true gentleman.

 

[izzy]

.

 

[dobielvr]

They can't all be drug addicts and alcoholics dobielvr, there are some very good people out there who have just run out of luck.

Oh, I know.
And, sorry if that's what my post sounded like.

 

[JimBob1952]

Hmm, my glasses are anything but rose coloured. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if appropriate help was always available? It isn’t. Until then, I will err on the side of compassion. If that includes “bandaids” of food, blankets, etc, so be it. I

have personally experienced what the streets had to offer. Sadly, not a great deal has changed. I am a realist, I work in the trenches, giving something is better than nothing at all.

Hmm, my glasses are anything but rose coloured. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if appropriate help was always available? It isn’t. Until then, I will err on the side of compassion. If that includes “bandaids” of food, blankets, etc, so be it. I

have personally experienced what the streets had to offer. Sadly, not a great deal has changed. I am a realist, I work in the trenches, giving something is better than nothing at all.

Not everybody is dealt the same cards in life, has the same emotional and financial support from friends and family and call me an idealist but everybody should have somewhere safe and warm to sleep. Never acceptable for even one person to be sleeping on the streets when there is lots of homes (investment properties) just sitting empty.

So, you're saying that if I own an unrented investment property, a homeless person has a right to sleep there? Sorry, life doesn't work that way.

I know lots of liberals. I've never known a single one who let a homeless person sleep in his or her house, even for a night.

 

[Jeni]

So, you're saying that if I own an unrented investment property, a homeless person has a right to sleep there? Sorry, life doesn't work that way.

I know lots of liberals. I've never known a single one who let a homeless person sleep in his or her house, even for a night.

I will say this the reality is in the details....... if someone owned a vacant investment property there is huge liability and compassion is not a defense when a person is sued for an injury etc......
This is also why many places.... put up things like those stones in OP picture because under an overpass is NOT safe...........and places discourage people from camping there for liability reasons ...........

if you wanted to convert to some shelter the cost is enormous to meet all required codes/ zoning/ liability issues abound and then those neighbors around property may not like that use........

I do not understand those who say things like "some people have 2 houses they should just give one to a homeless person" or something along those lines...........
I am sure if they had a person they knew who was trustworthy they may put them up.

What would they need to do if they were to give any property away..... is #1 get it out of their name because they would be a sitting duck for lawsuits.

 

[Shalimar]

So, you're saying that if I own an unrented investment property, a homeless person has a right to sleep there? Sorry, life doesn't work that way.

I know lots of liberals. I've never known a single one who let a homeless person sleep in his or her house, even for a night.

Then this is your lucky day. I am your first. Lol. A year and a half ago I welcomed a homeless mother and her two small sons into my summer home at the lake. They were great people, down on their luck. I set down some basic

rules, they were kept to the letter. This lady helped with the house, yard work, painting, garden, all without being asked. She stayed with me until she was able to save up enough money to rent a place, etc. How did she do it? Sewing, crafts,

making quilts to order. I lent her the money to set up shop on Etsy. She is now totally self supporting. Yes, she repaid my loan, with interest. I didn’t want the interest, but her pride required it.

 

[JimBob1952]

[/QUOTE]

I will say this the reality is in the details....... if someone owned a vacant investment property there is huge liability and compassion is not a defense when a person is sued for an injury etc......
This is also why many places.... put up things like those stones in OP picture because under an overpass is NOT safe...........and places discourage people from camping there for liability reasons ...........

if you wanted to convert to some shelter the cost is enormous to meet all required codes/ zoning/ liability issues abound and then those neighbors around property may not like that use........

I do not understand those who say things like "some people have 2 houses they should just give one to a homeless person" or something along those lines...........
I am sure if they had a person they knew who was trustworthy they may put them up.

What would they need to do if they were to give any property away..... is #1 get it out of their name because they would be a sitting duck for lawsuits.

Then this is your lucky day. I am your first. Lol. A year and a half ago I welcomed a homeless mother and her two small sons into my summer home at the lake. They were great people, down on their luck. I set down some basic

rules, they were kept to the letter. This lady helped with the house, yard work, painting, garden, all without being asked. She stayed with me until she was able to save up enough money to rent a place, etc. How did she do it? Sewing, crafts,

making quilts to order. I lent her the money to set up shop on Etsy. She is now totally self supporting. Yes, she repaid my loan, with interest. I didn’t want the interest, but her pride required it.

I don’t recall suggesting in any of my posts that you are required to have a homeless person sleep in any unrented investment property you might own. I also don’t think political labels have anything to do with compassion.

Good for you. I'm sure you're a compassionate person. I wasn't responding to your post btw but to a post from "Izzy."

 

[Shalimar]

She expressed her appreciation by sending me a beautiful handmade queen size quilt and two matching pillow shams, all in the beautiful star pattern, two round crocheted mandala pattern rugs, and a pair of the most beautiful macrame curtains I have ever seen. These presents arrived just before Xmas.