Number of Families in Homeless Shelters Rises

[alp227]

Source: The New York Times

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — For a few hours at the mall here this month, Nick Griffith, his wife, Lacey Lennon, and their two young children got to feel like a regular family again.

Never mind that they were just killing time away from the homeless shelter where they are staying, or that they had to take two city buses to get to the shopping center because they pawned one car earlier this year and had another repossessed, or that the debit card Ms. Lennon inserted into the A.T.M. was courtesy of the state’s welfare program.

They ate lunch at the food court, browsed for clothes and just strolled, blending in with everyone else out on a scorching hot summer day. “It’s exactly why we come here,” Ms. Lennon said. “It reminds us of our old life.”

For millions who have lost jobs or faced eviction in the economic downturn, homelessness is perhaps the darkest fear of all. In the end, though, for all the devastation wrought by the recession, a vast majority of people who have faced the possibility have somehow managed to avoid it.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/us/12shelter.html

[phantom power]

1. Number of families living with friends/relatives is also up

[awoke_in_2003]

2. k&r...

and it only going to get worse, while most Americans ignore it. Hell, even here for that matter. One poster (an old timer) here today talked about "transient garbage". Unreal.

[bobbolink]

3. "transient garbage"

And those are the same people who can't understand why poor people aren't excited about voting for their candidates.

Political garbage.

:puke:

[awoke_in_2003]

4. yep, that was the phrase used...

apparently his house was broken into. The fact that it was more likely a meth addict than a homeless person didn't occur to him. Seriously, what is a homeless person going to do with a computer? Can't take it to the pawn store, they stay away from stolen goods. Meth dealers, on the other hand, know people that can fence stolen goods.

[billlll]

5. 1 billion per yr wd end it at 3 per aptmt

Bill Gates gets five billn a year,

If stock returns ten %.

Also cd use old cold war facilities?

Have any?

[awoke_in_2003]

6. could you please repost in English...

and not in texting language?

[billlll]

8. on cellphone

Nrn

[billlll]

7. Hmlssness kills the weak and shd end right away

A new WPA wd help.

www.njfac.org. Jobs for all.

WPA should be permanent.

[bobbolink]

9. And people who are too old, too sick, too injured to work?

btw, this isn't a cell phone... really, it isn't.

[maryf]

26. They should be taken care of in a quality manner...

Human needs have to be made human rights, and without question.

[bobbolink]

37. And how do we get there, in a time when a woman with Stage 4 breast cancer with months to live is

"terminated" from disability, them saying she is "able to work"??????

Just what are people willing to do about this??

[maryf]

44. organized action

of some kind, I'd say sit in at a tv station until she gets on tv with her story...or someone does...

[bobbolink]

45. Who organizes it? Who participates?

As you know, I have tried many times to get action here on poverty issues. Very few can be bothered.

We certainly can't expect a terminally ill woman to "sit in" at a TV station, all by herself.

But that is what so many here expect.

Because I am the DU poster child for homelessness, the rest of DU expects me to take it all on by myself.

That is ridiculous beyond words.

It's easy to advocate "organized action", but .....who? How? Saying it doesn't solve it. There isn't action until there is action.

[maryf]

51. With this woman

It would have to start local...

keep asking Bobbie, I keep pondering, I'm not a leader type, but I'll act...

[awoke_in_2003]

13. WPA would be good...

but what would be even better is to take care of those who cannot work. Not everyone is capable of relocating for big job projects

[maryf]

25. Translation: 1 billion per year would provide housing for 3 per apartment...

Bill Gates gets five billion a year

Not sure about the next test "if stock returns 10%", but a .01% tax on stock transactions would raise the necessary money for housing and food stamps.

"Also could use old cold war facilities?"

There are lots of old missile silos out there for sale/use, huge facilities...of course they are already being sold for profit...here's one example: http://www.silohome.com/

keep thinking! try to get to a computer next time!

[maryf]

24. Unbelievable

Probably would think that providing housing for all is too radical a notion to consider, rather than a human right that should never not be provided for all...

[burnsei sensei]

10. The worst thing this government has done

is resign itself to the existence of poverty.
Then, even worse, the same government, through systematic neglect, worsened poverty.
And it's about to give the society another whack in the jaw by way of the Catfood Commission.

[bobbolink]

11. Sadly, WE are the Government. And that includes Democrats.

WE are allowing it to happen!

[Citizen Worker]

20. Spot on bobbolink. WE are letting it happen.

[maryf]

28. Yep, our complicity is glaring...nt

[awoke_in_2003]

14. they ignore poverty...

because we, as a country, ignore it. It comes down to us.

[ClarkUSA]

18. "And it's about to give the society another whack in the jaw by way of the Catfood Commission."

How?

You do realize that any federal commission only makes recommendations and does not affect existing laws, right? The National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform is not an exception to this rule.

[burnsei sensei]

23. If I know this president, he will not dismiss the

authority of its findings.
He will have to compromise, and in the deal, public policy aims will shift toward the succor of the rich at the expense or neglect of the poor.

[bobbolink]

27. Once again you point in the rigth direction. Its the ACTIONS, not the WORDS.

Hope, indeed. :nuke:

[ClarkUSA]

60. If I had a dime for every anonymous blogger who thinks he/she "knows this president"...

... I'd be eligible for Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy.

<< He will have to compromise, and in the deal, public policy aims will shift toward the succor of the rich at the expense or neglect of the poor.>>

Compromise on what, exactly? Which specific federal laws do you think Congress will change "at the expense or neglect of the poor"?

[burnsei sensei]

62. You're counting on altruism in U.S. politics?

The howls of "deficit reduction!" and accusations against "the freeloading impoverished and unemployed!" will be too loud to ignore.
Obama called this commission; whatever they recommend, and they've arrived at all of it in secret, will have to be part of what he recommends.
So much for "public policy."
What laws?
This commission was not about lawmaking.
It was about the structure of federal spending as it stands, and how it must change to make the Republicans happy-- I mean, to cut the deficit.
The Republican furor about the deficit is so hypocritical. If their glutton was in office they'd say nothing at all about spending and you know it.

[ClarkUSA]

63. Let's just say that I am not a believer in conspiracy theories.

<<The howls of "deficit reduction!" and accusations against "the freeloading impoverished and unemployed!" will be too loud to ignore.>>

For whom? By whom? You conveniently ignore that there are many Democratic allies of President Obama on the commission who are working to make recommendations, too. The media whore focus on Republicans' sound bites seems to have done the trick by making folks like you focus on little else.

<< Obama called this commission; whatever they recommend, and they've arrived at all of it in secret, will have to be part of what he recommends. So much for "public policy.">>

How did you arrive at such a conclusion? How do you know what he will or will not do? If you think he's going to bow down to Republicans' wishes to cater to the wealthy, then you not only missed his speech in Milwaukee last week where he put the kibosh on the notion of extending the Bush Tax cuts for the wealthy, but you also missed the last 20 months of his presidency.

<<What laws? This commission was not about lawmaking.>>

That's my point. Recommendations are all they are going to make. Any changes in federal law are left up to Congress.

<< It was about the structure of federal spending as it stands, and how it must change to make the Republicans happy-- I mean, to cut the deficit.>>

How is the goal of the commission is "to make the Republicans happy"? There are plenty of Democrats and liberals who are taking part. Why are you ignoring that? And cutting the deficit is every responsible American's concern. There is nothing wrong with collecting ideas on how to do so.

<<The Republican furor about the deficit is so hypocritical. If their glutton was in office they'd say nothing at all about spending and you know it.>>

Of course.

[defendandprotect]

22. It's also made poverty and homelessness almost a crime again -- !!

[awoke_in_2003]

59. it is a crime in some areas...

sit down on a sidewalk, get arrested for vagrancy :mad:

[CountAllVotes]

12. it is a growing population here

A friend of mine came home to find his belongings out on the street. It seems the apt. building he could barely afford to live in had burned down while he was out. He had nowhere to go and went to a local homeless shelter. He told me it was so awful that he opted to just "hang out" where he could for a few days. Luckily a friend of his needed his help around her house so she took him in. This happened several months ago and he has yet to find another place. It is very sad.

There is a drug problem no matter where you go and I believe that many thieves are pawning off the things that they steal if there is a viable market for them, especially jewelry it seems to me. I have to wonder the reason why any would steal a computer other than to get information on it. :think:

Maybe I'm just too paranoid but wow, no one would steal the old computers I have as they couldn't get but $20 for any which one of these old ThinkPads I write on.

This country is allowing this to happen sadly and yet they plan to extend those tax cuts for the very rich who can easily afford to pay.

Does this suck or what? :(

:dem: :kick: & recommend.

[awoke_in_2003]

15. stealing for drugs...

and homelessness are two different discussions. Not every homeless person is a drug addicted thief.

[CountAllVotes]

16. agree

most certainly not as is the case with my friend I wrote about.

His problem is a combined one really of not enough money to live on, poor health and just plain bad luck.

There are many others in the same boat.

I should state that I wonder why a computer is stolen. This makes me think that it is someone that knows you have the ones that are actually worth something. I have a friend that has had her house robbed more than once and the computers were stolen. I won't go into details, but this is highly suspicious to me. WHO wants HER computers? I can think of more than one culprit in her case.

The person that was robbed in the thread discussed here mentions computers being stolen. How easy are these to hock? I'd think not easy at all, so I rather think a homeless person without money was not the sort of person that stole them. It is most likely someone this OP knows.

It makes me paranoid for anyone that has a computer stolen. Mine are worthless pieces of junk that no one in their right mind would steal. :think: again ...

Drug addiction is a whole other topic yes, it may have no role at all if you become homeless. Shit happens.

[awoke_in_2003]

17. cool...

you brought up drugs and I had to jump in, as a lot of people hear think homelessness equals drug or mental problems.

[Jkid]

19. And when they talk about the real root causes of poverty.

They bring out the bootstraps argument.

Bootstraps is bullshit without resources.

[awoke_in_2003]

56. the bootstrap argument...

makes me want to smack people spouting it. None of us got where we are on our own, and I know on many occasions we needed public assistance growing up.

[awoke_in_2003]

57. oops, double clicked submit button. nt

[bobbolink]

31. And I thank you for doing that. When you are homeless and come to a :liberal" forum and hear the

same old right-wing talking points, it is disgusting.

[awoke_in_2003]

55. I used to think we were different here...

but we are not. We have the same hatred and echo chamber that another site is known for.

[bobbolink]

65. That's what I have been trying to get across for years.... "We" are "them" and we better

start looking at our own selves.

This "Us" and "them" stuff isn't furthering our cause.

[bobbolink]

29. REALLY????

Damn, you're good! :yourock:

[maryf]

30. Over 70% of homeless are NOT substance abusers nor mentally ill...

the number one cause of homelessness is lack of affordable housing...

[bobbolink]

32. !!!!

:applause:

[maryf]

35. and many homeless who can't work are huge contributers to society...

:yourock:

[bobbolink]

36. Thank you, maryf! I fear my contributions will be for naught but I am doing what I can.

:shrug:

[maryf]

38. You give out of your need...your devotion to the cause is touching many

If time and is money, then you certainly give out of your need...


Luke 21:1-4

<21:1> As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. <2> He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. <3> "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. <4> All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

[maryf]

33. Posted the above in the wrong place!

guess it fits here too?

[Odin2005]

40. I kept on telling a friend of mine that and she thought I was making shit up.

:banghead:

[bobbolink]

41. You don't have to take it from them personally.. there are a lot of official stats that state this.

You could print up a page of them, with the citations, shove them under her nose and tell her to eat it!

:rofl:

Thanks for your educational efforts! :yourock:

[Odin2005]

43. Thanks!

[bobbolink]

47. Do you have the information you need?

Begin with this, from the Washington Post.... there are 9 million households who need low-income housing. There are 6 million available units. Rep. Barney Frank quoted this in his bill for the National Housing Trust Fund.

The National Coalition for the Homeless reports that 16% of homeless people are "mentally ill". That is a nationally recognized organization. If they argue with that, then they are not interested in facts, and you might as well shove 'em off a cliff. Well, OK, that's a little severe, but you get my drift.

Does that help?

[Odin2005]

54. That does help, thanks!

[awoke_in_2003]

58. i totally agree. nt

[defendandprotect]

21. Is it 3 million homeless now in "America" -- ???

And when was the last time that Obama mentioned our homeless --

I think we still have the Reagan homeless with us!!

Evidently our government is still attacking the disabled who need SSI/Social Security benefits?

Cutting food stamps -- !!

Reagan swept so many seriously disabled off of aid that many committed suicide!

And what are these "shelters" even like? Especially with children?

[bobbolink]

34. There are 9 million household units who need low-income housing.

There are 6 million available units and that number is decreasing every years.

Anyone can do the math on that.....

Thank you very much for knowing the facts, and continuing to put them out there!

The ignorance level is horrendous and it is literally hurting and killing people.

:yourock:

[defendandprotect]

46. And our seniors may soon be being added to the homeless if Simpson gets

his way . . . .

Which is another strong point for seniors uniting -- other than thru AARP an insurance

company --

I don't know how many want to live in senior citizen housing even if they get that

opportunity? But, I doubt that they can pay for free market rentals these days?

Seems some apartments have come down a bit, but certainly not all -- inflated rates.

Anyway, seniors would be an additional pressure point for pushing for more creation of

affordable housing if they would come together!!

[bobbolink]

49. My question is, why is each group expected to protest the acts that affect them?

This is what I fail to understand.

Slaves didn't free themselves alone.. there was an effective group called Abolitionists.

Plenty of straight people have joined in the fight for gay rights.

Men fought alongside women for feminist rights.

Why are poor people supposed to do it all by themselves???

[defendandprotect]

61. Don't think that's what's "expected" . . . .

All Americans should be united for full equality -- full human rights --

against poverty and homelessness -- and for food, shelter, clothing, medical care

as HUMAN RIGHTS . . . Common sense and part of the UN Human Rights Manifesto --

Nor do I feel anyone thinks that "poor people are supposed to do it by themselves" . . .


Poverty has to be more of a visible issue here at DU -- and we need to more frequently

be pounding on Obama/Congress to talk about it -- respond to it --

as well as our state and local governments --

I don't know ALL about the plan here in my town, but I do know that they have encouraged

those in need to alert them before any house is lost here -- or anyone becomes homeless

here. Citizens today full well understand that any minute we could be "Katrina'd" or

unemployed and found in great need. So I don't think that citizens would fail to respond --

I feel that the issue is "disappeared" by our press -- and by right wingers who distort the

issue for their own benefit -- and that too often the reaction of government is to make

homelessness and poverty a crime -- homeless are moved out of sight.

The issue has to be kept in front of the public -- we all need to keep discussing it --

especially on websites like this.

[bobbolink]

64. Possibly. I am going by personal experience. I keep getting told here that it is my problem, so up

to me to deal with.

"We all have our own issues", etc.

"Progressives" are just as much blinded by Rugged Individualism as conservatives are.

And helping us it isn't.

[Odin2005]

39. Unpossible! The Wingnuts told me that all homeless people are dumb druggies!

:sarcasm:

We are fast becoming a 3rd World country. :(

[defendandprotect]

50. Yes -- like the "Welfare Queens" ... they're "Homeless Queens" . . .

but, sad to say, their vicious right wing propaganda still succeeds!!

Shortcircuits any real thought -- !!

[bobbolink]

52. Well, sheeeiiiit..... I lost my damned crown!

:rofl:

:hi:

[Odin2005]

53. Get a room, you 2!

:-)

[OhioChick]

42. Keep offshoring jobs and they won't be able to build shelters quick enough. n/t

[defendandprotect]

48. We need to keep pounding for an overturning of the trade agreements --

Sanders said 700,000 jobs a month, I think going out --

others said 500,000 jobs!!

Amazing --- how can we be talking even about job creation when we have a threat

like this over our heads every month!!