I am reading that SCOTUS is leaning towards banning homelessness encampments. And what is their wonderful plan after that? Or is cruelty once again the point?
@gemswinc Keep thinking of Scrooge... "Are there no workhouses? Are there no prisons?"
What's the point here? They're going to fine them? They're going to jail them? WHich does what? Overcrowd the jails further, and makes it harder for them to get housing in the future... if not impossible, which leads to what?
Criminalizing existence doesn't seem to be the way to fix this. It's like they expect homeless folk to throw up their hands and go, "Oh well, guess I need to rent now!"
It is a profoundly complicated condition.
BeLoved Asheville provides assistance to our 600+ unhomed. They provide food, clothing, women’s products, etc. But are quick to admit complications of addiction & mental illness prevent permanent solutions.
These unhomed would rather sleep outside in subzero weather than be in shelters that disallow overnight in/out or substance abuse.
Some are terrified of being locked up.
@LnzyHou You are absolutely right! No easy fixes. There is an encampment out in the Hamptons ( you know, for workers on the big estates) but from what I read, they are also being helped, rather than shunned. I was glad to hear that. @NiveusLepus
@gemswinc @LnzyHou Lindsay does have it right. Addiction and Mental Illness are the biggest problems.
Finland I think may be on to something...
Housing first, and community connection.
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/02/how-finland-solved-homelessness/
@gemswinc @LnzyHou There are no easy answers. It's always going to be a process. People will take advantage of the system, all of that is a cold reality.
Even though some people will take advantage, or not ultimately improve, what does that have to do with me though, and us collectively in showing compassion.
It seems to me doing more good would be better than counting the cost of the random failure to reach.
There are those who afford cigarettes and cell phones. Clearly, their lifestyle is a choice.
Until it isn’t.
@LnzyHou That never bothers me. So what?A Cell phone is an absolute necessity if they are ever to work or be homed. As for cigarettes, every human needs their comforts, and those things do not add up to monthly rent. @NiveusLepus
@LnzyHou @gemswinc @NiveusLepus Except for some it's the only means of contact with the social services in the first place. "Obama" phones specifically are the bridge between lost in the void of no contact obtained and receiving what care and support the state can provide to the disadvantaged. (Hi I use the lifeline services for this purpose.)
@PaganMother @gemswinc @NiveusLepus
Thanks for enlightening us.
@LnzyHou @gemswinc @NiveusLepus Something else about this case with scotus that bothers me is that there are legally homeless people living with family and friends that cannot afford to get an address of their own for various different reasons. What will happen to them?
@PaganMother If they're housed in someway, I don't see how this would affect them @LnzyHou @NiveusLepus
@gemswinc @LnzyHou @NiveusLepus I can only hope. I'm living in a situation like that myself with my son and my husband staying at my mother in laws place. We've often had to contest with the state to receive food benefits and medical care between there are two households here under the same address, not just one that the state expects.
@PaganMother Thanks for sharing with us. I wish you much luck, but again, I don't think this will affect you @LnzyHou @NiveusLepus
@gemswinc @LnzyHou @NiveusLepus Thank you and I hope not. I really hope that they don't agree with the ban.
@gemswinc @NiveusLepus
Both often disqualify them from aid.