 John C, I do see your point. I was on staff some years ago at a homeless shelter. I believe for a shelter, it had very strict rules that are not typical of the ones available to the homeless in larger cities.
The client could stay up to 30 days and if they were making progress, they could get an extension to stay additional time. But once they were out, they could not return for at least 60 days.
Some did cycle through every 60 days.
There are a number of people that cannot be helped out of the homeless lifestyle, only helped as they stay in it.
And there is a huge difference between situational poverty and generational poverty, and how those differences generate different goals for those who are in either group.
I think the article I posted seemed to me, at least, to be telling of a way that the city did not want the harsh reality of homelessness to intrude on the projection of being a pristine community. I do understand the need for security, however, it might be me in a state of naivety, but I don't see the homeless as a threat.
And I do believe that if there can be a momentary thrust to help all the homeless in a community, it might well mean that there could be a more sustained assistance too.
OD |