Homelessness: Discuss!

Seriak · #1 02-28-2008, 07:33 PM

I would say I judge people then based on there most dominant trait.

If a person is homeless due to an mental illness then they are mentally ill not homeless in my book and there should be an organization for that.
If a person is homeless due to an addiction to drugs then they are not homeless in my book and there should be an orgainzation to help them with that.
If a person is homeless because he has decieded that he would rather not work and would rather live on welfare instead of taking a job at a fast food restaurant that is beneath him, I have no sympathy.

Now I am not saying the above people aren't homeless but they don't fall in my definition of homeless which I have no sympathy for.

One question I might ask though is "What prevents people from leaving this city and moving to a less costly city if they are working three jobs to make ends meet. Honest question hoping for a honest response.

BC564 · #2 02-28-2008, 07:42 PM

I dont understand all the people that flocked here for the boom over the last 2 years and did not secure/find a place to live before deciding this is the place to be......I understand the wanting to be here for the $$$ but Im not packing up and moving anywhere if I dont have a place to live.....

Der_Iron_Chef · #3 02-28-2008, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC564

Sorry...I tend to agree with Snappy....from the help thread which then created this thread....

You mean, to get back on topic? That's why I created a separate thread!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seriak

"What prevents people from leaving this city and moving to a less costly city if they are working three jobs to make ends meet. Honest question hoping for a honest response.

The same thing that makes them homeless in the first place. A person who suffers from one or more mental illnesses, and is not able to be what we would call a "productive" member of society, is hardly able to plan and execute a move to another city. That also takes money....and when your biggest concern is your next meal, planning a big move is low on the priority list!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC564

I dont understand all the people that flocked here for the boom over the last 2 years and did not secure/find a place to live before deciding this is the place to be......I understand the wanting to be here for the $$$ but Im not packing up and moving anywhere if I dont have a place to live.....

That is definitely confusing to me, as well. But I will say, I think those people are generally not homeless for long. Those are the ones with the capacity (and often the motivation) to move away from the situation(s) they find themselves in. I know a few of them myself--people who need to stay at the Drop-In Centre or Mustard Seed, while working full-time jobs, to save up for the first few months' rent/down payment/etc.

What do most people REALLY know about homelessness? Not much. There are lots of assumptions, judgments and glib, off-the-cuff criticisms.

BC564 · #4 02-28-2008, 08:05 PM

No I meant I agree with snappy's entire statement.....

Der_Iron_Chef · #5 02-28-2008, 08:06 PM

He must've edited some of it out....

Seriak · #6 02-28-2008, 08:10 PM

Well as I said the mentally ill would not be considered homeless as there defining characteristic by my definition. I mean from the people that BC564 alluded to. They should just move elsewhere. No point having a job if you can't afford to pay the bills with it.

As for the assumptions, of course we make assumptions. People fill in what they don't know with what they have heard. And usually what they have heard is based on stereotypes and usually those stereotypes are based off some truth. Hence all homeless people are alcoholic bums who should get a job and quit being a leech on society. Obviously this isn't true, but I don't care to research the stats and neither do most people.

People who standout and try to make people aware are those who work in the industy and see it first hand. I don't and I don't think I would want to. That's just me.

findingnemo1 · #7 02-28-2008, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seriak

One question I might ask though is "What prevents people from leaving this city and moving to a less costly city if they are working three jobs to make ends meet. Honest question hoping for a honest response.

I guess in all reality though is there anywhere else that is really less costly? For an example. My parents live in Rimbey and always have..( Little little town north of Sylvan Lake)

To buy a house you are looking at $360.000-400.000. And to rent you are still looking at 1000+. Even outside of Alberta is far from cheap. Thje cheapest place to live WAS Newfoundland but no work. But even then they are starting to rebound. Sooo long story short i don't think that is the solution either.

Don't get me wrong my husband is working in the boom and always has been apart of that.But i guess thats why it is easier for me to look at the downside that if something happens we are in a world of trouble. His whole career is based on the oilpatch( Electrical Engineer) So if the economy crashes then we are in trouble and could very we'll end up homless,car less and trying to figure out what to do now.Everybody has a sad story. And not everyone can pull themselves out of that story and it becomes a novel.But that does not give us the right to look down on them as they are panhandling for a cup of coffee or coming out of a shelter. Because what you may not see is that person coming out of the homless shelter is on there way to work but just can't afford a home.

Everyone living on the street has an issue. Do you really think they like to live out there? When it is -50 outside and they are trying to just survive the night.When they are hungry with nothing to eat. When they want to talk with someone but nobody wants to listen.I think they would much rather be living in a home somewhere but life has dragged them down and they just can't get back up.

BC564 · #8 02-28-2008, 08:43 PM

I agree with that...but also....your painting all homeless with the same brush when we all know each one has there own story....and not all of them are tragic....some are choice....

Seriak · #9 02-28-2008, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC564

I agree with that...but also....your painting all homeless with the same brush when we all know each one has there own story....and not all of them are tragic....some are choice....

Not sure who you are agreeing with but I agree with you.

Borderjumper · #10 02-28-2008, 10:58 PM

I can see where your coming from.. but Im one of the people that has to deal with this aspect on a daily basis. I manage apartment buildings. I have 3 buildings downtown and DAILY I clean up after these guys. Needles.. blood..crapping in the doorways.. stealing anything that isnt nailed down.. and usually distroying what cant be stolen and pulling garbage out of the bins so they can sort thru it for recycling.
And then just the noise factor of dozens of shopping carts rattleing full of cans and bottles in and out of my parking lots all day and night. I call that trespassing. Would you guys that own your houses put up with me strolling up your driveways and going thru your household trash in the middle of the night? And here in Victoria its not just the homeless and the mentally ill.. word has gotten out that its easy here.. most of these people are younger.. and able to work that I see.. I have a brother like that. Working gets in the way of his drinking.. and he would rather drink and get high.. so he does. And so these people sit on the corner all day and ask me for MY money I work for.. then as soon as it gets dark they break out the window in my car and steal even more.. I have no answers,, all I am saying is Im tired of it.