I'm reminded of a fellow student I met in the mid-late 70's at junior college. He was going to school fulltime while living in his van and showering in the gym. If I remember correctly, he was also a veteran. It makes perfect sense to me now that he chose to live like this so he could pay for school with his GI benefits and be free to study. I wasn't as smart as him and had to have a job to support my rent and gas for my car, eating into my study time. Zoning and cultural standards about housing contribute to homelessness, imo. I don't believe there are any efficiency apartments in our area, with a metropolitan area population of over 500,000 and 2 colleges. Then there're the mentally ill who are unable to take care of themselves, and the de-institutionalization that started in the 70's that put many out on the streets. How do we balance someone's choice to live outside with keeping public spaces clean?
This is a very good question, a fair one, and I can't get to a great answer. Many cities have taken up the habit to isolate certain areas of homeless encampments to at least partly ensure a small but concentrated area is the main source of hazard- with varying degrees of success.
Thanks for the important reminder. Unfortunately the conversation of homelessness typically is a why/how/who circle. Homelessness conversations most of the time don't include the people who are actually affected, the homeless. That's the town hall I want to see.
Thanks for the thoughtful post. On my drive home from my beautiful Thanksgiving dinner last night, I was thinking about all the men and women stuck out in the freezing temperatures and it just breaks your heart. We shouldn't give up trying to help these people, but we need new ideas.
Politicians like our Governor in CA who spend money that can't be accounted for are not the answer. If you've ever watched someone try to navigate the system, it's a bloated idiotic red tape mess. Homeless people need community and they often form groups that support and help each other survive on the streets. I'm sure these survivors have ideas on how they could best be served. Just a thought.
I know of a homeless guy that slept on the streets that owned 2 homes. He would go into businesses to wash. He had mental health issues. Just one example that I know of. I know of others. There are each unique. Nice thoughtful article. It did make me think of people that present themselves as homeless to beg for money because they can make a great tax free living.
If trauma is the route to homelessness we should deal with the unnecessary suffering rampant in our society. Most of it is violence against women and a judicial system that supports it.
Trauma (childhood and other) seems to be a huge factor. What can be done is making sure we raise sons and daughters the best we can, with a more keen eye and understanding towards mental health.
It was difficult 40 years ago and even more difficult today to protect our children’s mental health without bubble wrapping them, which impacts their mental/emotional health in other ways.
I'm reminded of a fellow student I met in the mid-late 70's at junior college. He was going to school fulltime while living in his van and showering in the gym. If I remember correctly, he was also a veteran. It makes perfect sense to me now that he chose to live like this so he could pay for school with his GI benefits and be free to study. I wasn't as smart as him and had to have a job to support my rent and gas for my car, eating into my study time. Zoning and cultural standards about housing contribute to homelessness, imo. I don't believe there are any efficiency apartments in our area, with a metropolitan area population of over 500,000 and 2 colleges. Then there're the mentally ill who are unable to take care of themselves, and the de-institutionalization that started in the 70's that put many out on the streets. How do we balance someone's choice to live outside with keeping public spaces clean?
This is a very good question, a fair one, and I can't get to a great answer. Many cities have taken up the habit to isolate certain areas of homeless encampments to at least partly ensure a small but concentrated area is the main source of hazard- with varying degrees of success.
Thanks for the important reminder. Unfortunately the conversation of homelessness typically is a why/how/who circle. Homelessness conversations most of the time don't include the people who are actually affected, the homeless. That's the town hall I want to see.
I agree.
Thanks for the thoughtful post. On my drive home from my beautiful Thanksgiving dinner last night, I was thinking about all the men and women stuck out in the freezing temperatures and it just breaks your heart. We shouldn't give up trying to help these people, but we need new ideas.
Politicians like our Governor in CA who spend money that can't be accounted for are not the answer. If you've ever watched someone try to navigate the system, it's a bloated idiotic red tape mess. Homeless people need community and they often form groups that support and help each other survive on the streets. I'm sure these survivors have ideas on how they could best be served. Just a thought.
I know of a homeless guy that slept on the streets that owned 2 homes. He would go into businesses to wash. He had mental health issues. Just one example that I know of. I know of others. There are each unique. Nice thoughtful article. It did make me think of people that present themselves as homeless to beg for money because they can make a great tax free living.
If trauma is the route to homelessness we should deal with the unnecessary suffering rampant in our society. Most of it is violence against women and a judicial system that supports it.
Trauma (childhood and other) seems to be a huge factor. What can be done is making sure we raise sons and daughters the best we can, with a more keen eye and understanding towards mental health.
Thanks for the comment, Connie.
It was difficult 40 years ago and even more difficult today to protect our children’s mental health without bubble wrapping them, which impacts their mental/emotional health in other ways.