Toward the end of a recent podcast during which Jeremy Alderson was interviewed by Kevin Barbieux (The Homeless Guy), which is featured on The Homeless Guy Podcast site (here), Jeremy mentioned that he would like to know the thoughts of people concerning what the Homelessness Marathon blog really ought to be.
Feel free to leave such thoughts within the comment section of this particular post.
Homelessness Marathon blog
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Some of the solutions that have been ignored and some stigma busting.
Only a small percentage of the homeless are among the "Deviant Element" or "Drainbows".
We (myself and opther advocates) have been collecting documentation about this for years. But my entire web site was taken down and will be edited and re-posted on another, more secure, server.
I have alternate profiles that will be changing to highlight the
"Toxic Victim or Mentally Ill" aspect of the "Dysfunctional Homeless" at :>
http:myspace.com/justiceishomeless
Here's the sequence of events... that becomes an unpleasant surprise...?...
You struggle to accumulate enough down payment to acquire affordable payments... and, if you are fortunate enough that job security, lack of wage increase, personal problems with family like medical or credit doesn't disrupt financial plans such as rent and other expense increases that keep you struggling, you try to down size. You start by moving (temporarily of course) to a smaller location, and maybe putting some "stuff" in a min-storage. It's a common method, which is the first step in losing your stuff... (of course the upside is - you have less stuff to worry about). Next, you cut back on other "unnecessary" expenses like recreational equipment, vacations, household appliances - either reduced or eliminated, and often when either getting a second job or putting in overtime for a few months, stress levels are enhanced (especially if everyone is pushing the envelope), which adds to frustration and all the other wholesome ingredients effecting the harmony in relationships - just to make it all worth while!(?) - The national figures show the record breaking results of those ingredients. Then you begin to realize that you are no longer trying to get ahead, but it's become necessary to do all this - just to stay afloat... and somehow it isn't quite enough. And if your job downsizes and/or there is a reduction of need for your field of expertise altogether- and just "any-kind-of-job" won't maintain rent payments, after which even those jobs aren't easily available when you don't live anywhere! Sound familiar?
Of course, not everyone is that unfortunate - there are those who have it worse - some actually get into a place (finally)- fix up some customized preferences after which things happen like unexpected closing costs, repairs, balloon payments and/or rise in interest rates THEN if other surprise misfortunes like job down sizing, illness or babies, accidents, more unanticipated repairs on the house, vehicles etc., don’t occur (hah!), the increasing costs of gas, food, clothing household items etc. (and recent years indicate what’s coming) and just after spending more than expected to make improvements or rehabs... you may think of (or even remember) some others that have been what has caused the increases in the foreclosures that we are all aware of.
After the next step (down) for many, (like the over 3 million in the last few years), resort to living in a vehicle (which doesn't do much for job appearance or performance), ends with a repo., if break-down, registration & insurance doesn't overwhelm the lack of budget first. After that, having the shopping cart being taken away is easier to accept. Oh yes! You can only keep stuff you can carry with you while looking for that "any-kind-of-job" (you resorted to) or you'll lose that when the cops raid your camp. Then the benefits of making it a crime for just being homeless show just how constructive it is!!?!..... and no one will listen to you because now you are one of them
Oh of course... (you believe)... you will see that it never happens to you... and besides, screw all those "derelicts" it does happen to - anyway!! - Yes... That's what over 2 million in the U.S. used to say! But, then... many of you... (that don't yet know who you are) will show up at centers like so many of the new faces (and typically) with the same look on the face. When you do, I'll be there to let you know who you are - especially those of you who have been kicking homeless people to the curb - and those of you - do know who you are!! ...(and you will be remembered . That is... that which goes around... will come right back a - flying-around!!
I am...A. John Doe Homeless
...and still - On Strike against unfair Housing Costs!
Fire in Malibu..... Flood in New Orleans..... Drought in Georgia...... Volcanoes in Hawaii...... Earthquakes......
What is with the complaints of services to help these victims of each tragedy? In the first place... what happened to..... "Preparedness"!!?? The over 1 million recent fire victims have obviously been VERY quickly located in shelters - while thousands of Katrina victims (many still scattered throughout the country) are still displaced! Provisions and facilities have been available all along, and meanwhile the Katrina victims have been just waiting in line for.........(!???) Current disaster victims expect assistance, with a promise of cutting corners with insurance companies, FEMA, etc., but WHY ARE THESE PEOPLE SO MUCH MORE PRIVILEGED THAN ANY OTHER CITIZEN SURVIVING HOMELESSNESS!!??
The REALITY of "EQUALITY" shows when a homeless citizen dies at night from the elements, is beaten, or set on fire, etc..... the news may mention it, briefly, then a quick closure! Compare the equality to folks in Malibu with a Katrina survivor still buying into similar false promises other homeless citizens have dealt with for years... the waiting in lines, the persecutions, discriminations, and even hate crimes!! Homeless or houseless, with or without the drama, it all results in identical stress, distress and depression... It Doesn't take a Disaster, to be a Catastrophe in anyone's life! While thousands attempting to live within their means, hopeful for a change with promised assistance that never happens - (except that which skips over to selected and current "crisis victims"). When was a meager existence during a failing economy not a crisis !!?? Being displaced from housing, losing life's worth, property, enduring any array of tragedy that causes hardship to one's life (such as neglected medical needs that perpetuates problems - (regardless of each circumstance) - still results in devastation, degradation, and then the depression. Sure, a fire gives drama and causes trauma (and becomes newsworthy), more than when just quietly passing that point of being "one-paycheck-away" from losing your place, your savings..... your "stuff" (but - losing your "stuff" is still losing your "stuff"). Although losing property economically is not a "made for t.v. drama", (unless it's your stuff), but often during the preceding months have a simmering building-up, a slow burn that embeds the depression and puts ones survival ability beyond just a pressure test!? While former citizens of New Orleans have had to fend for themselves, are now in addition >to the already existing over 3 million citizens who have been homeless for YEARS !
After the Dust Settles ... the only attention towards the homeless citizen is negative, a typical result from the subsequent increase of homeless traffic. This inevitability always results in an increase of "anonymous" complaints to police using "just don't want them here " (as though that area is somehow exclusive and magically they'll disappear), but diverts from the cause of the problem, and all the previous discussions of compassionately helping others in need during a crisis are moot. The expectation seemingly is if I don't see, then it doesn't exist ...(??) - WRONG !!?! ... and doesn't justify abusing the use of authorities to harass someone. If the accumulated volume is tiring, then help solve that problem!! Only while linked to a disaster... are any concerns expressed for the homeless. Those able to recuperate, have no clue what happens to some of their "friends" and neighbors who couldn't. While striving to recover from a series of accumulating misfortunes, with obstacles unnecessary to add to the experience, many have learned to exist with resourceful means but with the closest experience to compassion is when a cop gives a warning - instead of a charge.
There is a difference between doing something about the homeless and doing something for the homeless. While already striving to recover from a series of accumulating misfortunes, with unnecessary obstacles added to the experience, many have learned to exist with resourceful means. Economic imbalances between housing costs and lack of jobs with affordable wages previously perpetuated accumulative hardships affording housing. Now, finding non-existing housing with less income than that becomes irrelevant. The new laws that skirt around the abolishment of former vagrancy laws have been so counterproductive , with no positive accomplishments, and are violating Civil Rights !! (Despite the U.S. 9th District Court ruling, some communities still believe they are above the Federal Law.)
This has only resulted in an illusion of (very brief) absences during attempts to keep a low profile until the increasing volume can no longer stay hidden. This ... " game " of Musical Chairs has been played" while the number of "players" have increased, and the "chairs" removed!? Sooo..... Malibu, San Diego, New Orleans, Georgia..... (and of course all those facing the housing "bubble")... WELCOME TO THE PARTY!!?!
It started without you..... (or your help).
If you have been doing (what you thought was of) " help "...
- enjoy (the "sufficiency" of it !?? .....
Drop in centers, shelters and food banks have become
a thriving business all over the country, whose goals
are NOT to solve the growing problem and are NOT even
trying to end the need!? They do provide assistance
and referrals to sources for clothes, blankets, foods
(and "stuff"). Of course, that's more "stuff" that
you'll have to carry around with you (shopping carts
have become illegal). It's fortunate when you can
actually USE most of it - before it's stolen,
vandalized, or taken in the next police raid!? There
is usually a waiting list for space at most shelters,
so if you want to be warehoused, risk losing your
"stuff", etc., whenever space becomes available),
you'll have a limited length of time to try to acquire
that "any-kind-of-job".
There has been nothing that begins to address
the problems that continue to cause the growth
of the homeless populations!!?
Coming soon, you can count on this new game (if you don't like the one played so far)!! It's already begun, with many veteran players who have been in training!!? The rules are: In a democracy, (even in this hypocrisy), the majority will rule!! Also, recently estimated that 25% of the homeless population are military veterans - and counting (our players have been increasing), and by the war's end will provide an increased ("surge") volume of "re-enforcements" who have expressed more anger and even if not already resentful, the rules will again change along with the scoring. Either the majority will rule..... or the mobs will. Soooo... we're not playing chess... but, it's your move ... or do nothing and someone else will!!??
What are being grossly overlooked are the over 3 million citizens who have been homeless, for YEARS, with no consideration to the gravity of their circumstances. 2 million of those - were not homeless 5 years ago ... so who are they, where did they come from, and moreover ... who will the next 2 million be!!??
There are many of you who will show up at centers like so many of the new faces... (with the same typical look on your face) ... but , don't yet know who you are (I see them all when they show up). I'll be there to let you know who you are, how you could have done something before becoming - just another one of "them" ( !!?! ) ...and for those of you , who have been kicking homeless people to the curb, we all know who you are !!
I am ... A. John Doe Homeless
and these have been my Viewpoints of those "progressive" developmentsof the Growth that has been
so - "Good for the Economy"!!?
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