I didn't vote because the poll is way too black and white to be realistic.
Yes, it would be good if there were shelters which could accommodate all the homeless. But how realistic is this and how much would it help the problem? Could it even exacerbate it?
I speak from experience because I went through a period of homelessness in Key West, Florida. I was never out of work during this period - in fact I was working two jobs - albeit menial ones which didn't pay well. I was truly homeless for about 6 weeks. I literally slept in allies, under overpasses and on the beach. Avoiding arrest was a major issue. Then I bought a cheap car and lived in it for 5 and a half months. That was MUCH better. Key West had a thing where you could pay $50.00 a month and get a sticker on your vehicle allowing unlimited parking in any space with a parking meter. I tinted all the windows and it felt like I was home-free. What a tremendous reduction of stress!
During that time, I interacted with many other homeless people. Nearly all of them were of a victim mentality. They had no concept of lifting themselves out of their current situation. Many of them were certainly suffering from mental illness of some kind. It would be great if these people could be provided a residence and that would be the end of the problem. But for most of them, it was a lot more complicated than that. Most of the homeless I encountered needed either medical treatment and/or major rehabilitation.
I strongly believe in NOT abandoning these people like unwanted pets (I strongly oppose that either) but I reject the idea that the solution is as simple as providing shelter to them.
Yes, it would be good if there were shelters which could accommodate all the homeless. But how realistic is this and how much would it help the problem? Could it even exacerbate it?
I speak from experience because I went through a period of homelessness in Key West, Florida. I was never out of work during this period - in fact I was working two jobs - albeit menial ones which didn't pay well. I was truly homeless for about 6 weeks. I literally slept in allies, under overpasses and on the beach. Avoiding arrest was a major issue. Then I bought a cheap car and lived in it for 5 and a half months. That was MUCH better. Key West had a thing where you could pay $50.00 a month and get a sticker on your vehicle allowing unlimited parking in any space with a parking meter. I tinted all the windows and it felt like I was home-free. What a tremendous reduction of stress!
During that time, I interacted with many other homeless people. Nearly all of them were of a victim mentality. They had no concept of lifting themselves out of their current situation. Many of them were certainly suffering from mental illness of some kind. It would be great if these people could be provided a residence and that would be the end of the problem. But for most of them, it was a lot more complicated than that. Most of the homeless I encountered needed either medical treatment and/or major rehabilitation.
I strongly believe in NOT abandoning these people like unwanted pets (I strongly oppose that either) but I reject the idea that the solution is as simple as providing shelter to them.
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
