Homeless in America

You didn't see this, in this small colonial town, of Dover, Delaware. That was before Covid 19, and it seems that Covid, changed everything in America. At least the America I knew. This was an actual photo, I took of a shopping cart, on a warm sunny day this past summer. There was a man and a dog. lying on a grassy knoll about five feet from this shopping cart. I didn't have the heart, to photograph, the man and his dog, I figured he had suffered enough without the indignity of someone photographing him sleeping by the side of the road.

I Wondered What His Story Was

I am a curious and compassionate person by nature, so I wonder what their story is, when I see a beggar holding a sign at the intersections of the highway. Everyone has a story, it is life, and they are no different than the rest of us. They are almost all holding a sign, "Homeless, please help me", and there has to be a story behind each and every person, who is out there begging. Do you ever wonder what their story is?

Has The System Failed Them?

The very first time, I saw a person begging, I admit I got very very upset. I called the local police department and asked them, "Can't you do something for this particular person?" The answer, I got destroyed everything about our town, our country, the system, and about my general faith in humanity. He simply, and coldly said,"Ma'am, the beggars, make out better than you and I do, and they don't have to pay taxes on what they get."

That was my first encounter with a beggar, and now you see them on the street all the time, and the sadness continues. It seems people get hardened by the sight of the beggar on every street corner or highway intersection. Even I got used to seeing the sight of a person with a cardboard sign.

Where is the concept of "Housing First"

"Housing First", in Houston, Texas reduced homelessness by 63% over a decade, as well as in places like Rockford Illinois, Abilene, Texas, and Bakersfield California.

Internationally, Finland has successfully, implemented this model nationwide to nearly end street homelessness.

What Causes Homelessness

Homelessness is primarily caused by a critical shortage of affordable housing, coupled with stagnant wages that fail to keep pace with rising rents. It is a complex, often intersectional issue driven by economic instability, poverty, lack of comprehensive healthcare, and personal crisis like domestic violence.

Primary Structural Causes

1. Lack of affordable Housing - The top driver, where the demand for low-cost housing far exceeds supply.

2. Economic Factors - Poverty, unemployment, and wages that do not cover basic living costs.

3. Insufficient Safety Net- Limited access of affordable healthcare, mental health services, and addiction treatment.

Personal and Situational Causes

1. Health Issues -Severe mental illness, chronic physical disabilities, or addiction.

2. Life Events/Crises- Job Loss, medical emergencies, eviction, or unexpected expenses that deplete savings.

3. Violence/Abuse - Domestic violence is a major factor, forcing individuals (particularly women), to flee abusive situations.

4. Systematic Failures - Youth aging out of foster care, or individuals released from prison/jail, with no housing support.

Homelessness is rarely caused by a single factor, but rather a combination of these economic, systematic and personal triggers.

The Question is:

Did The System Fail People Who Are Homeless????

Is There Something More That The System Could Do??

Is There Not Enough Safety Nets??

There are a lot of famous people who at one time in their life, found themselves homeless. They are:

1. Sylvester Stallone- Slept in a New York City bus station for three weeks.

2.Kelly Clarkson - Lived in her car after her apartment burned down.

3. Steve Harvey - Lived out of his 1976 Ford Tempo for three years.

4. Jennifer Lopez -Slept on a sofa in her dance studio.

5. Dr. Phil McGraw - Lived in a car with his father.

Is There Something More The System Could Have Done??

Could Anyone End Up Without A Place To Live???

You be the Judge!!!