I've been traveling for the better part of a year now...
Most of the time I have been staying in hostels or with friends, but most recently I have been exploring the Pacific NW by bicycle.
I have been homeless
And while my experience is by choice, and ultimately not as challenging as being a fixed locale homeless person, I have experienced some of the stressors that come along with this type of living.
Some of the major things I have learned ...
Sleeping/Resting
Many cities/towns make it illegal to rest, sleep or camp in public areas. While the enforcement of these laws varies, some individuals can and are arrested for trying to sleep ... this is one we need to solve
Access to showers
This is a big one.
Everyone needs to shower.
Whether you are the wealthy aristocrat or the impoverished beggar, I think we can all agree that a clean and sanitary populace is better than a dirty and smelly one. It's not a hard problem to fix either. Providing access to showers is a simple and rather inexpensive solution that can completely change how an individual lives his or her live AND how other people perceive them.
Access to Healthy Food and Water
Many cities are doing a good job of this. In most first world countries we have created private and public organizations that provide meals to those in need. While there is always room for improvement, I don't think food is the number one problem that homeless people are facing.
Access To Healthcare (Specifically Mental Health)
This is a big one !! and not easily solved. I think this ultimately needs to be addressed if and only if, housing options can be provided. No one is going to have the mental will power to battle a drug addiction when they are sleeping on the streets night after night. While this is an important part of the puzzle, the housing first initiative has shown great promise.
And Finally... Transportation
This is not paramount IMO (tell me if I am wrong) ... BUT, if you want people to be able to rejoin normalized society, they need access to transportation. Whether it is a discounted bus pass or free access to a bike share, we all need transportation whether it is to buy groceries, go to work and simply make your way around town. Public transit is an integral part of ANY successful city, and providing free/discounted access is an easy way to integrate low-income members into the system.
Putting it all together
Homelessness is a complex problem. To assume that one solution will act as a panacea is to be naive to the complexities of the situation; however, there are actions that we can take to make it better!
What if ...
Each city had foodbanks where anyone could go and easily, safely and quickly get a free meal. Members of the community could donate as they saw fit or subscribe to a meal plan that would go to feeding people in need. While there are already options like this, seeing this expand would definitely be beneficial.
I have seen a handful of restaurants that cater to paying AND non-paying customers as well. What if more places offered the ability to pay a small amount extra for your meal which in turn could pay for a meal for someone else. I would happily spend $10 on my chipotle burrito instead of the $9 I usually pay if I could give that money, in the form of food, to someone who needs it.
Housing and basic amenities
Housing first is a VERY SIMPLE SOLUTION to implement. Multiple studies have shown that it is more cost effective to give someone housing than it is to let them live on the streets. This study found that it was 53% LESS EXPENSIVE to give someone housing than to let them stay on the streets.
The fact that this option is not being implemented EVERYWHERE is mind boggling to me AND points not only to the inefficiencies of modern bureaucracy but also to a much more sinister idea ... what if our governments want more homeless people.
I'm from the city of Atlanta, GA. Atlanta is a large city and has many homeless people. We DO NOT do a good job of handling this issue.
Out of sheer curiosity I decided to do some exploration and learn more about the topic. I ended up learning this.
Atlanta Receives $4 Million In Federal Grant Money To Aid Homelessness
Not a bad payday for the city of Atlanta. What would happen if we did not have a homeless population ... hmmm ... Would they still give us that money?
This is NOT an isolated incident
Municipalities all around the world receive grants to help with civil issues. If they solve these issues, they money stops flowing in. Our governments are getting paid to keep people in a state of homelessness.
I will say this again.
Our governments are getting paid to keep people in a state of homelessness
When you see things from this perspective, the current state of affairs begins to make a lot more sense. Backwater capitalism effects many other areas in this same way ... but that's for another time.
If our government won't solve the problem ...
who will??
Well, that's where you and I come in friend. Fortunately there are many woke people around the world who are fed up with bureaucratic ineptitude and have decided to take things into their own hands. There are many grassroots housing first campaigns popping up in small towns all around the United States. As long as we go through the proper bureaucratic channels, there is nothing the man can do to stop us!!
So... if you are appalled by the way homeless people are treated, consider reaching out to an organization that is looking to, or already has, implemented a housing first solution. If there is no one in your town doing it, consider starting a movement yourself.
WE are the ones who are going to create change.
**WE ** need to take back our sovereign power and create the world that WE want.
If you have any questions, comments leave them below. I would love to find other like minded people who are looking to take on similar problems. If you need any assistance in connecting with or starting your own housing first initiative, don't hesitate to contact me.
Much love fam,