First in a series of what I hope becomes a dialogue on the subject of “homelessness” with a focus on rational and humane ways to help…
Welcome Message
At the risk of sounding naive and foolhardy I have an announcement to make: I still give a damn. And if you’ve already read this far, I’d bet a nickel that YOU still give a damn, too. Thanks for being here.
Why is “Homelessness” in Quotes?
I’ve chosen to put “homelessness” in quotes for at least three important reasons:
- No single word does justice to the breadth and depth of the causes and effects of “homelessness”.
- The causes and effects of “homelessness” go well beyond the inhumane conditions of being unhoused.
- The word “homelessness” creates a kind of tunnel vision that narrows the ways one thinks about the issues involved.
Allow Me to Introduce Myself
I’ve done lots of independent research and service work in and around the arena of “homelessness” over the years. And continue to do so in several capacities: sometimes off grid (in the streets and elsewhere) and sometimes within existing institutions (in shelters and schools).
I have no partisan agendas, no political ambitions, no religious ideologies, and no business interests. I have no desire to create or lead a non-profit. Neither am I seeking donations. I simply want to use my time, treasure, and talents to be part of the solution.
I hold no positions of authority. Although this limits my my power to act in many ways, my amateur status grants me the freedom to act without being hamstrung by the bureaucratic and legal responsibilities and restrictions imposed upon every professional working in the field.
I have no formal credentials, but I do have decades of life experience and many illuminating stories to share.
I come to the table with profound humility–admitting that I have more questions than answers and confessing that I struggle every day to transform my rants and convictions into meaningful action.
I have some very strong views on the subject of “homelessness”, but would like to keep them to myself for the moment… for at least four reasons:
- I’m not 100% sure I believe what I think I believe.
- I still have lots to learn.
- I’m not here to preach or argue.
- I don’t want to bias any discussion one way or another.
An Invitation
What thoughts and feelings come to mind when you hear the word “homelessness”? (Frank fully understands that there are many more provocative ways to ask such a question, but he doesn’t want to drive our dialogue in any preconceived direction.)
Be honest. Be brave.
I’m all ears and I’m a great listener.
Heartfelt gratitude to all in advance.
Dialogue continued… “Homelessness”: Topic TBD (Coming soon)
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Our dirty little secret here in “the land of opportunity” is that the fasting growing rung of the economic hierarchy is the dispossessed. I don’t know what can be done to house those presently homeless or help them rise to an acceptable standard of living (zero is a magnet), but eliminating the rent-seeking aspect of capitalism and predatory lending (aside from pervasive, both are inexcusable) would go a long way in preventing future homelessness and abstract poverty. I wish I had the wisdom to contribute more.
Thanks so much for sharing your perspectives, Michael. “Zero is a magnet” really hits the mark. Alas, I resonate with all you said. Speaking, of… I just watched the Netflix limited series called “Dirty Money”… Episode “Slumlord Millionaire” is particularly germane and infuriating… and worth an hour of your time. Thanks for caring, brother.
Thanks for the tip, Frank. I will surely put “Dirty Money” on my short list.
🤜🤛
This is something with which I’ve tried to, and would like to help. Locally, it’s difficult; the police pick up what the law calls “transients” and lets them out outside of city/county limits. The idea of shelters gets resoundingly shot down by those who are loudest (I say that because I don’t know they’re the majority, but it seems as if they are because they show up any time someone poor might get some sort of a hand up.) The churches here are resoundingly silent as to public, though I think some run warm clothes drives for the unhoused. It’s a frustrating place for people who just want to help out. I even prefer doing “grunt work,” what others don’t care for and that isn’t visible, but there is little to nothing here. I’m heartened by this conversation, all at the same time!
Deep thanks for taking the time and energy to share your feelings and experiences, Ali.
I absolutely agree that some people want to help, but don’t know how. I used to be one of them… and still am in several ways (one of the reasons I wrote this post). I’m still struggling to find more ways that I can be of service while also helping others who really want to help to find (or create) a way, too.
I hear you loud and clear about the NIMBYism. I understand it, but I don’t understand why NIMBY gets more energy than finding remedies that are clearly to the benefit of everyone. Finding / creating such remedies is a central theme of this discussion and my personal mission. To that end, I wish the all judgmental, opinionated, self-righteous critics would spend just a few minutes getting to know the human beings we are talking about. If their minds and hearts were open, they’d realize how unfairly they stereotype and judge “those people”. If only.
Thanks for the work you quietly do behind the scenes. I, too, have no fear of doing “grunt work” as no contribution is too small. Importantly, it’s not burdensome in the least. On the contrary, it’s a lot of fun in the deepest sense of the word, fills me a strong sense of purpose, and has made me a better human than I’d otherwise be.
Thanks again for your engagement here, Ali. Knowing that people like you are out there is heartening and inspiring.
All the best.
Right back atcha as to all you wrote!
I don’t know about the rest of Canada, but in my eastern neck of the woods (1) homelessness IS a growing, complex societal issue, and (2) our churches and other religious organizations do proactively work to help provide solutions. Some of our downtown churches provide free lunches and have indoor outreach programs. Others have worked to establish housing units for previously homeless people. We need all hands on deck.
Thanks for sharing that, Jane. Not to wear out a phrase, but what I’m hearing is “It takes a village.”
Exactly. A very committed village.
I really like your addition of the words “very committed”!
I completely agree with Dan’s comments. I would add that religious organizations should collaborate with the government (local, state, and federal) on this endeavor. Religious organizations can handle face-to-face interactions since they are part of the same community and can temporarily provide support while finding out what’s really going on, as each case is different. Then, the information can be shared with the government to identify long-term solutions, which could include housing, training, medical or mental health assistance, financial aid, relocation, etc.
Thanks for sharing that, Ed. Sounds like a distributed network of public and private partnerships working intimately (because each case is unique) with those we are trying to serve is a rational, humane, and effective model.
Absolutely! That’s the best way forward, in my opinion. Great discussion, by the way.
Thanks a bunch for being part of it.
My beliefs can pretty much be summed up in two words: “Manufactured crisis.”
Sounds like you’re onto something, Ana. Please say more.
There are 28 empty houses for every single homeless person in the country.
I hear you. I think people are slowly waking up to something fishy going on with the housing markets.
Ana,
Thank you for sharing that. To be honest, I questioned that statistic so I did a search and found at least one source that confirmed it. Kind of left me flabbergasted.
The source has related information that’s really interesting to read, too. (I find it odd that this was published in November 2024, but the most recent homeless population numbers were from 2020.
https://unitedwaynca.org/blog/vacant-homes-vs-homelessness-by-city/
Dan, thank you. I’m sharing a quote from your offering with my readers.
I had the very same reaction, Dan. Thanks to Ana for sharing and to you tracking down what sure seems to me to be a very reliable source.
Not sure what to do with the data yet, but it sure begs all kinds of questions. I need time to digest it all.
One of the things we’re really great at as a society is looking at the symptoms of a problem, but never the true root cause(s) of the problem. We can keep throwing money and resources at the symptoms, but the problem will never fully go away until we address the root causes.
Here in San Diego, the city has made a concerted effort to clear the homeless from the streets. They’ve created more shelter space and alternate locations for the homeless to occupy, but that just moves the population from Point A to Point B without getting people into homes.
There can be a variety of reasons people are homeless: Addiction, economic insecurity, one major medical event that wiped out their savings and ability to earn, or even LGBTQ youth being rejected by their families. I’m sure there’s a myriad of other reasons, too.
I recently saw an analysis by someone with a different approach to helping with the issue. In it, he mentioned that there are around 350,000 religious congregations in America (probably more since the study was done), and there are somewhere around 750,000 homeless people in America.
What if each religious congregation followed the tenets of their faith and “adopted” two homeless people and provided them the resources that they needed to get themselves off the streets? We could virtually end homelessness.
The same analysis said we could get all kids out of foster care if we took the same approach. In fact, there are more religious congregations than foster kids, so not every congregation needs to support a kid.
Both ideas have merit.
I would take it one step further, though. I would make religious congregations earn their tax-exempt status by proving that they are, in fact, helping the underserved members of the community through effective programs that help solve these issues.
Just my two cents…
Thank you, Dan, for sharing your impassioned two cents.
With your permission, I’d like to start capturing and organizing such thoughts and feelings in a living document (another page titled “Brainstorm” perhaps).
Whaddayathink?
BTW, sending you positive vibes healthwise and otherwise.
Thanks, Frank. Feel free adding my comment to your brainstorming page.
Went for a PSA test yesterday, and should have the results tomorrow. We’ll go from there.
Copy that. Thanks. One day at a time, brother. Lupron and eyes to thighs PET scan for me next week.
Fantastic idea, now to pitch that to those congregations.
Your seconding is duly noted, Wayne.
Good one, Dan.
I heard on a TED Talk that we could purchase, house, educate and equip every slave on this planet for the amount of money Americans spend on electronic toys every Christmas.
It’s certainly not for lack of money, huh?
Nope. Just the will to use it in a balanced fashion.
Yep.