Countless Millions are Homeless in the Cities they call Home

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There are not enough shelters for the homeless and yet that group of people is being treated like criminals, cited or arrested for breaking laws like sleeping in public areas, such as the park, disturbing the peace, a most ambiguous crime, loitering and vagrancy. Even those who try to help the homeless with food and shelter are penalized for their Good Samaritan attempts with health and safety laws regarding food service and fire restrictions. The NCL (National Coalition for the Homeless) and NLCHP (The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty) have been speaking out against the punitive laws and seeking relief for those temporarily out of a home and/or job, arguing that certain elements of society are targeted for the enforcement of the laws.

Homelessness in Rural Areas

A great number of homeless people are no longer the problem of just cities. Smaller towns and rural areas are seeing the numbers grow as foreclosures force families into the streets with nowhere to turn, since most rural areas have no shelters. An estimated nine percent of the nation’s homeless are in rural areas.

The Homeless in America

Where once citizens and government could wear rose-colored glasses and pretend the situation was minimal, the glaring truth is now striking everyone as an actual situation that needs addressed. Bandages and platitudes no longer hide the necessity of repairing the situation, even though the task seems overwhelming. Meanwhile, it is important to address the immediate situation as quickly as possible, rather than pass the responsibility for resolution from person to person and agency to agency.

Communication between agencies that help those in need is a benefit to providing answers during emergencies. Programs like 211 Software facilitate coordination and response between partner agencies, which in turn makes it easier to determine what is available for several areas of need rather than getting a piece of information a bit at a time. One thing that even great computer programs cannot do, however, is determine how many homeless people this country, or any country, for that matter, has within its boundaries.

Much like the unemployment data, homelessness is a difficult total to determine. With an estimated minimum of two million men, women, and children, it is already too high. Not everyone goes to a shelter because:

* The shelters are full

* Those in need of shelter are afraid of what it will bring

* First-time homeless feel embarrassed or ashamed

That alone reduces the opportunity for a good count. In addition, there are those that are going from one place to another, where they will have a place to stay. Others are taken in by friends, family or the church and do not appear on any records as homeless. The numbers no longer matter at this point; resolution is the most important thing needed.

Addressing Problems Faced by the Homeless

There are several concerns that affect the homeless and their chance for survival. No matter which item anyone reviews, the underlying need of funding, time and volunteers arises. That is something to discuss at a separate time.

Medical Care

Diseases that once were conquered or at least suppressed, including tuberculosis (TB), are returning. Much of the reason is due to close contact in crowded shelters and tent cities, where living conditions are harsh and not always sanitary. Drugs and shared needles add to the chance of community illness. Even with pill given to those with TB to take, follow up on treatment is difficult with people moving from area to area.

Food

Soup kitchens at the missions have been augmented with annual food drives, community food banks, free meals provided by local businesses and groups, and food stamp cards. Community gardens provide fruits and vegetables during the late spring through the early fall. At times, Senior Citizen Centers and Residential Areas benefit from food donations from local stores and bakeries, which are provide to those that stop in at the center.

Transportation

Various organizations, such as churches, the VA and Senior Citizen Centers, provide free transportation to medical and rehabilitation appointments.

Shelter

As stated earlier, there is not enough room at shelters. Fire safety regulations are important, but when the temperature drops below zero and shelters have to inform people they cannot enter, the odds are that someone will freeze to death. Rather than drift to a warmer area, homeless people frequently choose to stay in an area with friends or with which they are familiar. If it is just for a few nights, they hope to survive until the weather changes or there is room at one of the havens in the community. Locating other facilities that have available space is faster with 211 Software and other social services data banks.

As the public adds their voice and ideas to resolve the homeless situation, it will improve. Organizations such as Habitat for Humanity advocate the cause for housing and can provide guidance for ways to reduce the overcrowding at shelters.

Resources:

http://www.citymayors.com/society/homeless_usa2.html

http://www.sfgate.com/homeless/

http://medicine.org/why-is-tb-on-the-rise-in-the-united-states/

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/How_Many.html

http://www.mynews4.com/news/local/story/Cold-Reno-Sparks-Gospel-Mission-Reno/5HLWIxguw0eSieBwlyUNaQ.cspx

About The Author: Edna T. Dodson has written this article.