Ending Chronic Homelessness

[danbrotherston]

This isn’t “the biggest problem”. I’m not saying these people don’t exist—we had people who were homeless prior to the current crisis but the vast vast majority of unhoused people today are not in that group of people. Don’t use the existence of a few people in that situation as a justification for not solving the very real problems causing most homelessness.

Actually Dan, not wanting to live in provided shelters is actually a large part of the problem.  Clients have to agree to certain rules to live in shelters. Most people either choose not to abide by the rules, or due to addictions and mental health issues they are unable to reside in the shelters. As someone who works in a field that regularly deals with homeless people, I have first hand knowledge.

I’ll admit I may have misinterpreted creatives statement to mean “won’t take any housing when offered”. I don’t really consider a shelter as “housing”.  I do agree that a larger number of people won’t stay in a shelter (although I’d say it’s not just unwillingness to follow the rules). But I still don’t think this is the “biggest problem” nor do I think it is actually a majority.

The main point: it is wrong to say the biggest problem lies with unhoused people. They have the least power in this situation. I don’t think we should point out the problematic minority and hold them up as an obstacle to helping people.