Homelessness
A major problem in Seattle and surrounding communities is homelessness, but this is a complex problem. It is easy to view homeless people as one large group of bums that have nothing better to do, but this is an extremely simplified and false stereotype. There are a wide range of reasons why people are homeless, a wide range of character of the people and their lives, and a number of circumstances of where they “live” and under what circumstances. Most of them desperately need help, and there should be a reasonable means of funding them, and various kinds of help should be available, depending on their individual circumstances.
Why are people homeless?
People are homeless for many reasons. Some of the reasons are:
- People who lost their jobs and lost their homes because they could not pay rent or mortgage payments.
- People who were injured or are too sick to work, and lost their homes because they could not pay rent or mortgage payments.
- People with overwhelming medical costs and lost their homes because they could not pay rent or mortgage payments.
- Women who fled from an abusive relationship.
- Teen agers or young adults who fled from an abusive home life (or what they perceived as abusive).
- People with mental health issues.
- People who can’t find work bacause of a record of imprisonment.
- People who are addicted to drugs or alcohol.
- People who do not want to support themselves but would rather have other people take care of them.
Where do they live?
Homeless people can live in a variety of places and under various circumstances. Some are:
- On a blanket, old mattress, or whatever.
- In a sleeping bag.
- In a tent.
- In a car, pickup truck, or van.
- In a recreational vehicle (RV).
- In an otherwise vacant house or other building.
Personal Characteristics
Homeless people, like people in general, can vary widely in their beliefs, habits, morals, and other characteristics. These are the main ones I can think of:
- Willing and able to work but so far can’t find a job. Being homeless usually means lack of transportation, so can’t go far for a job.
- Willing to work, but has disabilities that interfere with getting or keeping a job.
- Willing to work, but has mental issues that interfere with getting or keeping a job.
- Willing to work, but has a criminal record that interfere with getting or keeping a job.
- Willing to work, but has alcohol or drug addiction that interfere with getting or keeping a job.
- Not willing to work because alcohol or drug addiction has control over their life.
- Not willing to work because they believe it is better for other people to take care of them and support them.
Problems created by homeless people
Problems may be created by the people themselves, or by their location.
- Increased criminal activity in the surrounding neighborhood.
- Garbage in the location and the surrounding neighborhood.
- Used hyperdermic needles in the area.
- Human waste (poop and urine).
- Sidewalks blocked by tents, etc.
- Tents, etc., in neighborhood.
- Cars and RVs parked around the neighborhood, often accompanied by garbage and human waste.
Possible Solutions
These are some possible solutions that I have thought of — I am sure there are many more that people can think of:
- For people sleeping in blankets or sleeping bags — find indoor facilities, even if it means still in a blanket or sleeping bag, but a bed would be better.
- For people living in tents — create organized and controlled “tent cities” that will be a safer location in an off-street lot.
- For people living in cars — set up a safer and organized lot where people can park their cars and sleep in them, with some common facilities such as toilets, showers, garbage collections, etc.
- For people living in RVs — these people already have their own homes, but they need an organized “RV Park” where they can park their RV and there would be plumbing to collect sewerage, etc.
- For people living in abandoned buildings — get strict about enforcing trespassing laws and find suitable indoor facilities.
- Create one main entity for dealing with homelessness, that would work with existing charitable organization and governmnetal agencies, and would be an organization to which people and businesses could donate tax-deductible contributions.
Obligations of Homeless People
Help for the homeless should not only be a charitable mission — the homeless people themselves should share in the responsibilities within the extent of their capabilities.
- Those that are able to work should help out in organizing the camp and in keeping it clean and orderly.
- Those that are hindered by disablilites or by problems with drugs or alcohol, should still be expected to help to an extent.
- Residents should be obligated to take their garbage to a collection point for garbage, and if use of drugs is permitted at the site, they must drop off their used needles in a “sharps” collection box.
Minimal Conditions Within Camps
Regardless whether the camp of facility is indoors, a tent camp, an parking lot for cars, or an RV park, there should be minimal required conditions and facilities:
- There should be some kind of authority, whether somebody from outside such as a police officer or somebody appointed by the agency running the facility, or by someone internal, elected by a vote of the residents.
- There should be common toilet and shower facilities.
- There should be a Dumpster or other means of collecting garbage.
- In a facility that does not prohibit use of drugs, there should be a “sharps” collection box.
Where do We Find the Money Needed to Help with the Problem of Homelessness?
We need to find sources of revenue to help with this problem. I have some suggestions and I am sure others can come up with many more ideas.
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This page was last updated on 22 June 2018.
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