| Some Thoughts About Being Homeless |
Being Homeless
Having to live outside presents all sorts of challenges. Keeping warm and
dry may be a serious problem, but that's only part of it.
I've camped as necessary, and out of public view. This is not to avoid the
law, but to avoid being found by those who will assault you and steal or
destroy anything you have. It doesn't matter if your belongings have no
significant value. I've had my camp torn apart with only cans of beans
and spinach stolen. I've also seen were children set fire to homeless
tents just for fun.
It's not just a matter of losing belongings continually. The homeless are
frequently assaulted, robbed, and sometimes killed. Gangs of teenagers
or young adults often find it entertaining to beat up homeless people.
One time, when I was forced to move from my camp and find something
else, I picked out a spot that no one had used in years and cleared out
the thick thorn vines and debris. I put up a plastic tarp for protection from
the rain. A couple days later, when returning at the end of the day, the
tarp and all my other belongings were gone. So I made another tarp out
of cheap plastic sheeting. What else could I do?
There is no such thing as police protection in this regard. They will only
tell you that it's your fault for being there. Not only that, they may
threaten you with jail even when there is nowhere else to go. Officers
have asked me "Why don't you just go into a shelter?", even though
there is no shelter space available. It amazes me sometimes just how out
of touch with reality many public employees are.
Having to live outside presents all sorts of challenges. Keeping warm and
dry may be a serious problem, but that's only part of it.
I've camped as necessary, and out of public view. This is not to avoid the
law, but to avoid being found by those who will assault you and steal or
destroy anything you have. It doesn't matter if your belongings have no
significant value. I've had my camp torn apart with only cans of beans
and spinach stolen. I've also seen were children set fire to homeless
tents just for fun.
It's not just a matter of losing belongings continually. The homeless are
frequently assaulted, robbed, and sometimes killed. Gangs of teenagers
or young adults often find it entertaining to beat up homeless people.
One time, when I was forced to move from my camp and find something
else, I picked out a spot that no one had used in years and cleared out
the thick thorn vines and debris. I put up a plastic tarp for protection from
the rain. A couple days later, when returning at the end of the day, the
tarp and all my other belongings were gone. So I made another tarp out
of cheap plastic sheeting. What else could I do?
There is no such thing as police protection in this regard. They will only
tell you that it's your fault for being there. Not only that, they may
threaten you with jail even when there is nowhere else to go. Officers
have asked me "Why don't you just go into a shelter?", even though
there is no shelter space available. It amazes me sometimes just how out
of touch with reality many public employees are.
Halfway Cures
Often I see people make a big deal about helping the homeless,
giving a sleeping space for a couple nights or a simple meal. What
about providing enough help so the person can get off the street for
good? Any doctor can tell you that giving a patient only part of a
prescription for their problem not only isn't effective, but can make the
problem even worse. When homeless people are promised help, and
then dumped back where they were, they become even more
discouraged and often give up all hope. It's an easy excuse to label
them "chronic" and turn them away as not worth the time or expense.
There are thousands of churches, missions, shelters, and drop-in
centers that provide homeless with just a little so they don't starve. All
too often the primary objective is maintaining a list of clients to refer to
when seeking more funding.
Certainly it's good to give food and clothes, but if there were
consideration to the total picture, with a realistic objective of helping
people to get off the street, there would be less homeless each year
instead of far more.
Often I see people make a big deal about helping the homeless,
giving a sleeping space for a couple nights or a simple meal. What
about providing enough help so the person can get off the street for
good? Any doctor can tell you that giving a patient only part of a
prescription for their problem not only isn't effective, but can make the
problem even worse. When homeless people are promised help, and
then dumped back where they were, they become even more
discouraged and often give up all hope. It's an easy excuse to label
them "chronic" and turn them away as not worth the time or expense.
There are thousands of churches, missions, shelters, and drop-in
centers that provide homeless with just a little so they don't starve. All
too often the primary objective is maintaining a list of clients to refer to
when seeking more funding.
Certainly it's good to give food and clothes, but if there were
consideration to the total picture, with a realistic objective of helping
people to get off the street, there would be less homeless each year
instead of far more.
Profiling for Dollars
Some people protest against being profiled, being categorized by race or
ethnic background. If you're homeless it often becomes necessary to fit
into a profile for designated funding in order to recieve any help.
Programs for the homeless that depend on government funding need to
prove that their clients fit specific need profiles in order to get grant
money. If you have a list of DUIs, or arrests for being intoxicated in public,
then you can get into a funded program for that. If you can prove a
serious medical or mental problem, then there may be a specific program
available. Be capable and willing to work without any obvious problems,
forget it! The assistance available depends on where the government
funding is, and that requires fitting into a catagory.
Don' fit the profile? Come back when you do. If you stay on the street for
enough years you will eventually become disabled enough to qualify for
some help.
Some people protest against being profiled, being categorized by race or
ethnic background. If you're homeless it often becomes necessary to fit
into a profile for designated funding in order to recieve any help.
Programs for the homeless that depend on government funding need to
prove that their clients fit specific need profiles in order to get grant
money. If you have a list of DUIs, or arrests for being intoxicated in public,
then you can get into a funded program for that. If you can prove a
serious medical or mental problem, then there may be a specific program
available. Be capable and willing to work without any obvious problems,
forget it! The assistance available depends on where the government
funding is, and that requires fitting into a catagory.
Don' fit the profile? Come back when you do. If you stay on the street for
enough years you will eventually become disabled enough to qualify for
some help.
Attitudes Toward Panhandlers
One day I was walking past a guy I see panhandling frequently. He wasn't
homeless, but obviously far too handicapped to do any kind of work. He's
one of those who have some reason to panhandle.
I watched a car stop next to him just long enough for the driver to say
"Get a job!", and then take off quickly.
Some people feel a need to share the hate they carry inside. I wonder if
the driver realized later just how ignorant he looked.
One day I was walking past a guy I see panhandling frequently. He wasn't
homeless, but obviously far too handicapped to do any kind of work. He's
one of those who have some reason to panhandle.
I watched a car stop next to him just long enough for the driver to say
"Get a job!", and then take off quickly.
Some people feel a need to share the hate they carry inside. I wonder if
the driver realized later just how ignorant he looked.
Good Advice?
It's not unusual for people to tell me "I was never unemployed a day in
my life" or "When I was in your situation I found work on my own and
never needed any help" and "I never accepted charity". Sounds good,
but the individuals saying that were eating at a free church dinner
because they couldn't afford to buy food. One person who told me that
actually lives in government subsidized housing and complains about not
being able to get more in food stamps.
One person bragged to me about how he made his own business. He did
it by picking up homeless people and having them work in his lawn
business. It was illegal, with no business license, no taxes paid or any
insurance whatsoever. He got away with it and therefore considered
himself successful in business, and ridicules others for not doing the
same.
I've also had people laugh at me for trying to find a real job since they
know it's easier, and far more profitable, to deal drugs on the street.
I hear lots of good advice from "successful" people like that.
It's not unusual for people to tell me "I was never unemployed a day in
my life" or "When I was in your situation I found work on my own and
never needed any help" and "I never accepted charity". Sounds good,
but the individuals saying that were eating at a free church dinner
because they couldn't afford to buy food. One person who told me that
actually lives in government subsidized housing and complains about not
being able to get more in food stamps.
One person bragged to me about how he made his own business. He did
it by picking up homeless people and having them work in his lawn
business. It was illegal, with no business license, no taxes paid or any
insurance whatsoever. He got away with it and therefore considered
himself successful in business, and ridicules others for not doing the
same.
I've also had people laugh at me for trying to find a real job since they
know it's easier, and far more profitable, to deal drugs on the street.
I hear lots of good advice from "successful" people like that.
Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a
gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby
clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to
the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good
seat for you" but say to the poor man "You stand
there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet", have you not
discriminated among yourselves and become judges
with evil thoughts?
from James 2:2--4, NIV Bible
gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby
clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to
the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good
seat for you" but say to the poor man "You stand
there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet", have you not
discriminated among yourselves and become judges
with evil thoughts?
from James 2:2--4, NIV Bible
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This image is from a photo I took off the 34th
Street bridge (Highway 19) over the railroad
tracks in Pinellas County, Florida, near St.
Petersburg.
Street bridge (Highway 19) over the railroad
tracks in Pinellas County, Florida, near St.
Petersburg.