| Who Are the Homeless? |
When you see someone in shabby clothes panhandling, do you assume they are
homeless? Do you expect that labor workers have a home to go back to after a hard
day's work? The opposite may be true.
homeless? Do you expect that labor workers have a home to go back to after a hard
day's work? The opposite may be true.
How Many People are Homeless?
A study by HUD from surveys in January 2008, released 7/9/09, indicated about 664,000
homeless in the US. About 1.6 million people used some type of shelter or housing program at
least once during the year. The actual total may be far higher since many homeless don't
frequent the places where surveys were taken, or don't want to be counted. I've noticed
"surveys" where a group counts the obvious homeless people on the street and publishes the
number, leaving readers with an impression that there isn't a problem while ignoring the other
90% who are actually homeless.
A study by HUD from surveys in January 2008, released 7/9/09, indicated about 664,000
homeless in the US. About 1.6 million people used some type of shelter or housing program at
least once during the year. The actual total may be far higher since many homeless don't
frequent the places where surveys were taken, or don't want to be counted. I've noticed
"surveys" where a group counts the obvious homeless people on the street and publishes the
number, leaving readers with an impression that there isn't a problem while ignoring the other
90% who are actually homeless.
The Working Homeless
Most homeless people who are capable of working do so, though it's usually intermittent or
part-time. According to a survey in Pinellas County FL, 33% worked some during the previous
week. A Tallahassee FL survey indicated that 18% did day-labor work. Day-labor is usually
minimum wage, day-by-day, manual labor such as digging or cleanup on construction sites or
loading trucks, and usually more physically demanding that many are capable of. While being
homeless most other jobs are out of reach.
Most homeless people who are capable of working do so, though it's usually intermittent or
part-time. According to a survey in Pinellas County FL, 33% worked some during the previous
week. A Tallahassee FL survey indicated that 18% did day-labor work. Day-labor is usually
minimum wage, day-by-day, manual labor such as digging or cleanup on construction sites or
loading trucks, and usually more physically demanding that many are capable of. While being
homeless most other jobs are out of reach.
Unable to Keep Meaningful Work
Of those surveyed 45% indicated some form of disability. About 29% had physical health
problems, 34% mental problems, and 27% alcohol or drug problems. (For the general
population 22% have some type of mental illness.)
A HUD report indicated 25% of adults were disabled. Problems like back pain prevent many
from doing labor work while not qualifying for disability, or any assistance beyond food-stamp
money. While less physically demanding, indoor jobs demand good personal hygiene, which
is extremely difficult while homeless, plus the appropriate education.
Of those surveyed 45% indicated some form of disability. About 29% had physical health
problems, 34% mental problems, and 27% alcohol or drug problems. (For the general
population 22% have some type of mental illness.)
A HUD report indicated 25% of adults were disabled. Problems like back pain prevent many
from doing labor work while not qualifying for disability, or any assistance beyond food-stamp
money. While less physically demanding, indoor jobs demand good personal hygiene, which
is extremely difficult while homeless, plus the appropriate education.
Where do they Live?
There is shelter space for only a small percentage of the homeless. Some live in transitional
housing or stay temporarily with family or friends. About 44% have no housing of any kind.
Some camp out in wooded areas or unused property, making do with plastic sheeting or
whatever is available. Those with a vehicle may use that to live in. The HUD report indicated
68% live in urban areas and 32% in suburban or rural areas.
Often it's a choice between camping in a hidden place or openly with a group. Either way it's
for protection from those who enjoy beating and robbing the homeless. Homeless people who
have been on the street for some time are aware of how dangerous it can be.
There is shelter space for only a small percentage of the homeless. Some live in transitional
housing or stay temporarily with family or friends. About 44% have no housing of any kind.
Some camp out in wooded areas or unused property, making do with plastic sheeting or
whatever is available. Those with a vehicle may use that to live in. The HUD report indicated
68% live in urban areas and 32% in suburban or rural areas.
Often it's a choice between camping in a hidden place or openly with a group. Either way it's
for protection from those who enjoy beating and robbing the homeless. Homeless people who
have been on the street for some time are aware of how dangerous it can be.
Military Service
One HUD report indicated 19% are veterans. According to the Dept. of Veterans Affairs,
nearly 200,000 veterans are homeless and many young veterans who served in the mid-east
are joining them. (Newsweek 2/24/07)
The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans states that 200,000, veterans are homeless on
any given night and 400,000 veteran experience homelessness during the course of a year.
One HUD report indicated 19% are veterans. According to the Dept. of Veterans Affairs,
nearly 200,000 veterans are homeless and many young veterans who served in the mid-east
are joining them. (Newsweek 2/24/07)
The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans states that 200,000, veterans are homeless on
any given night and 400,000 veteran experience homelessness during the course of a year.
Families with Children
The HUD study indicated 68% of the homeless were single individuals while
32% were persons in families (parents and children). While women with
children get high priority for assistance, still hundreds of thousands are on
the street.
From a Time Magazine article, 3/10/09:
"The National Center on Family Homelessness released a report today that
estimates that one in every 50 American children was homeless between
2005 and 2006."
If homeless families attempt to help themselves by sharing a rental with
other families, such as two or three families in a single family dwelling, it just
disqualifies them for assistance by government regulations. In order to
qualify for assistance they have to be on the street or in a shelter.
The HUD study indicated 68% of the homeless were single individuals while
32% were persons in families (parents and children). While women with
children get high priority for assistance, still hundreds of thousands are on
the street.
From a Time Magazine article, 3/10/09:
"The National Center on Family Homelessness released a report today that
estimates that one in every 50 American children was homeless between
2005 and 2006."
If homeless families attempt to help themselves by sharing a rental with
other families, such as two or three families in a single family dwelling, it just
disqualifies them for assistance by government regulations. In order to
qualify for assistance they have to be on the street or in a shelter.
Age and Education
The largest age group in the HUD study, at 40%, were those age 31 to 50.
Most homeless don't have a high school diploma, yet some have a college
degree. An education which would qualify a person for good paying work
doesn't help without housing, transportation, and other basic necessities
needed to maintain a job.
The largest age group in the HUD study, at 40%, were those age 31 to 50.
Most homeless don't have a high school diploma, yet some have a college
degree. An education which would qualify a person for good paying work
doesn't help without housing, transportation, and other basic necessities
needed to maintain a job.
The Chronic Homeless
Often those who are on the street for over a year are termed "chronic". Many people who just
lost their homes and good jobs manage to soon get back to work. Many others, for various
reasons, don't and get caught in the endless cycle of programs that maintain the homeless
without addressing their problems.
Often those who are on the street for over a year are termed "chronic". Many people who just
lost their homes and good jobs manage to soon get back to work. Many others, for various
reasons, don't and get caught in the endless cycle of programs that maintain the homeless
without addressing their problems.
Living on a Minimal Fixed Income
About 16% of those surveyed received disability payments and 3% had social security
retirement. Either may amount to only a few hundred a month. Many had to take early social
security, with a considerable reduction in payments.
The price of housing has gone up at an astonishing rate. A "modest" home in Pinellas
County sells for over $150,000. A simple one bedroom apartment goes for over $600 plus
over $100 per month for utilities. A "cheap" rental trailer is around $500/month, and if you
don't use air conditoning it's intolerable. Trailer parks are being continually being leveled to
make room for expensive condos or business. Those forced out often cannot afford other
housing. The waiting list for section 8 (subsidized) housing is three or more years nationally.
In Florida, some rentals operate under motel laws which allow the landlord to evict anyone
immediately, without any prior notice. Get one day behind on the rent and suddenly you're on
the street.
About 16% of those surveyed received disability payments and 3% had social security
retirement. Either may amount to only a few hundred a month. Many had to take early social
security, with a considerable reduction in payments.
The price of housing has gone up at an astonishing rate. A "modest" home in Pinellas
County sells for over $150,000. A simple one bedroom apartment goes for over $600 plus
over $100 per month for utilities. A "cheap" rental trailer is around $500/month, and if you
don't use air conditoning it's intolerable. Trailer parks are being continually being leveled to
make room for expensive condos or business. Those forced out often cannot afford other
housing. The waiting list for section 8 (subsidized) housing is three or more years nationally.
In Florida, some rentals operate under motel laws which allow the landlord to evict anyone
immediately, without any prior notice. Get one day behind on the rent and suddenly you're on
the street.
Are Panhandlers Homeless?
Of the homeless I'm familiar with, relatively few will panhandle. I've seen some panhandlers
with crutches, while not using them, and ragged clothes which they change out of when they
go home. If you have actually been homeless you can spot these phonies a mile away. Some
skilled in panhandling may make over a hundred dollars a day, while a person doing
part-time labor does well to get $60 if they can get the work.
Once I was confronted by an older man in ragged clothes asking for money for food. I told
him about a free dinner going on at a church nearby. He replyed "No thanks, I'm not hungry".
Just because someone looks homeless doesn't mean they are, and most real homeless
people don't look like it.
Of the homeless I'm familiar with, relatively few will panhandle. I've seen some panhandlers
with crutches, while not using them, and ragged clothes which they change out of when they
go home. If you have actually been homeless you can spot these phonies a mile away. Some
skilled in panhandling may make over a hundred dollars a day, while a person doing
part-time labor does well to get $60 if they can get the work.
Once I was confronted by an older man in ragged clothes asking for money for food. I told
him about a free dinner going on at a church nearby. He replyed "No thanks, I'm not hungry".
Just because someone looks homeless doesn't mean they are, and most real homeless
people don't look like it.
Dinner at the Haven of Rest Mission, Pinellas Park
FL havenofrest.com . Photo: Alex Pickett.
While homeless people go to free public meals, it's
not just the homeless. Many people on fixed
incomes can't afford food after paying the rent and
utilities, and could very easily become homeless if
the rent goes up.
Not long after this picture was taken the mission was
forced to stop feeding people hot meals on the
grounds that they did not have adequate parking.
Everyone knew that it was only an excuse by the city
to force the homeless out of the area. It also cut off
meals for many other low-income people as well.
FL havenofrest.com . Photo: Alex Pickett.
While homeless people go to free public meals, it's
not just the homeless. Many people on fixed
incomes can't afford food after paying the rent and
utilities, and could very easily become homeless if
the rent goes up.
Not long after this picture was taken the mission was
forced to stop feeding people hot meals on the
grounds that they did not have adequate parking.
Everyone knew that it was only an excuse by the city
to force the homeless out of the area. It also cut off
meals for many other low-income people as well.
Survey results used here may be found at:
pinellashomeless.org for Pinellas County. FL
tallahasseech.org for Tallahassee FL.
The HUD (Dept. of Housing and Urban
development) website is hud.gov. Their latest report
was released 7/9/09, based on data collected in
January '08.
Also see The National Coalition for the Homeless
website: nationalhomeless.org.
The "Links" page has more references.
pinellashomeless.org for Pinellas County. FL
tallahasseech.org for Tallahassee FL.
The HUD (Dept. of Housing and Urban
development) website is hud.gov. Their latest report
was released 7/9/09, based on data collected in
January '08.
Also see The National Coalition for the Homeless
website: nationalhomeless.org.
The "Links" page has more references.
 | |  |
| homelessamerican.com |
Do these workers have homes? Maybe, but a
substantial number of those doing hard labor
jobs, or dirty jobs that no-one else wants, are
homeless.
substantial number of those doing hard labor
jobs, or dirty jobs that no-one else wants, are
homeless.
I've noticed that some people will be violently opposed to a homeless program being
developed near where they live on the grounds that "it will bring homeless people into their
neighborhood". They obviously don't comprehend that the homeless are around them every
day. It's just that the homeless they see don't fit the "homeless bum" stereotype that they've
learned to accept.
developed near where they live on the grounds that "it will bring homeless people into their
neighborhood". They obviously don't comprehend that the homeless are around them every
day. It's just that the homeless they see don't fit the "homeless bum" stereotype that they've
learned to accept.