What is the cause of homelessness in America, and what can we do to prevent it?

[Robert Sock]

Of all the engineering feats of this world, why can't social engineering end homelessness in America? It's all a matter of public policy, I believe. What are your thoughts?

[eternalrest]

We don't care very much about children in this country. We let them get neglected and abused and expect them to get over it. Some of them do not and are psychologically maimed for the rest of their life. When we learn that the greatest victims are those who are unable to protect themselves, our society will improve.

Am J Public Health. 1997 February; 87(2): 249–255.
Adverse childhood experiences: are they risk factors for adult homelessness?
D B Herman, E S Susser, E L Struening, and B L Link
OBJECTIVES: We tested the hypothesis that adverse childhood experiences are risk factors for adult homelessness. METHODS: We interviewed a nationally representative sample of 92 US household members who had previously been homeless and a comparison group of 395 individuals with no prior homelessness. We assessed childhood adversity with a structured protocol that included a previously validated scale indicating lack of care from parents and single-item measures of physical and sexual abuse. RESULTS: Lack of care from a parent during childhood sharply increased the likelihood of subsequent homelessness (odds ratio [OR] = 13), as did physical abuse (OR = 16). Sexual abuse during childhood was associated with a nonsignificant trend toward homelessness (OR = 1.7). The risk of subsequent homelessness among individuals who experienced both lack of care and either type of abuse was dramatically increased compared with subjects reporting neither of these adversities (OR = 26). CONCLUSIONS: Adverse childhood experiences are powerful risk factors for adult homelessness. Effectively reducing child abuse and neglect may ultimately help prevent critical social problems including homelessness.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1380802/

[JRKH]

Originally Posted by Robert Sock

Of all the engineering feats of this world, why can't social engineering end homelessness in America? It's all a matter of public policy, I believe. What are your thoughts?

All of this very complex question boils down to "Sin"...
In particular, "greed" in many different and often times subtle forms. This pervasive greed stems from a selfishness that is pervasive in society.
Add to this a "legalism" that makes businesses act and react in ways that are actually against their own best interests.
This same legalism - in multiple layers, can prevent local communities from reacting in appropriate and constructive ways to problems in their own "back yard".

It is this mindless selfishness and greed that leads to people losing first their jobs and then their homes...such that banks foreclose and force people out - and in many cases the houses sit empty and deteriorating and eventually vandalized because there is no one to stay there and care and protect the house - WHY - because those who would have gladly stayed, were forced out...

In addition, governmental interference can prevent communities from acting or reacting in ways that could be helpful because of various "environmental laws" or "property laws", building codes and a number of other things that obstruct the ability of a community to provide sufficient shelter in any sort of organized manner.
For example - an old building sits empty (except for "illegal, homeless, squatters") but the city cannot use it officially for the homeless because it has asbestos in it (or lead paint or whatever...) and the city cannot afford to have it cleaned up etc...And there is no way to get a variance from the EPA or whoever.
So - by some twisted logic - it is somehow better for people to sleep under a bridge in a cardboard box where they might freeze to death tonight than in a building with materials that might kill then in 20 or 30 years...

End Rant

All that said though, there will always be some homelessness.
But much can be eliminated if greater latitude existed for creative solutions.

Peace
James

[tbcrawford]

Love they neighbour

If we could all remember the simple but vital things Jesus taught us we would have no homeless people and no starving people in the world.

We need to care about our brothers and sisters....care enough to get our governments to do all they can to help all vulnerable people. We can do our bit by voting for the government that will care for the vulnerable in society. Our consciences should guide us to help all vulnerable people, homeless included.

God bless

[Ridgerunner]

Seems to me we need, first of all, to know what we mean by "homeless". Do we mean that one is "homeless" if he doesn't own his own home, or do we mean someone who lives with relatives, or do we mean one who lives on the street or in a shelter?

If "on the street" or "in a shelter", then it's narrowed quite a bit in numbers. A substantial number of them are insane people who could, if they would, get housing subsidies and sometimes have, but, being insane, walk away. Since institutionalization is virtually gone now in favor of "human rights", there is probably no real cure for that kind of homelessness.

Some of it really is due to bad conduct. Any landlord can give you descriptions of people who rented, then failed to pay the rent, then resisted eviction, despite the fact that they had the apparent means to pay. Some of them wreck the place before they're forcibly evicted. Some of those people spend all their money on drugs, and some are simply predatory. A history of landlord abuse tends to follow a person, to the degree that most won't rent to them if they know the history.

I'm not sure how many people are left if you eliminate those two. I'm aware of people who have ended up in a diocesan shelter who lost their jobs and couldn't find another. But most of those people eventually do end up standing on their own feet; that is, unless they are drug users.

I don't personally think there is any single cause of homelessness in this country. I also question whether the number of sane, non-addicted people really are homeless through no fault of their own is very large or permanent.

[JRKH]

Ridgerunner,
Great Post

Peace
James

[Desert Catholic]

People in the United States are by necessity Nomadic.. Following jobs or seeking jobs.. At any given time there are many folks who move seeking work and are Home Less.. The Break down of the family leaves those who fail to find that job to seek assistance in obtaining shelter.

I have a family staying in the home I want to sell, rent free It's been a year and I must prepare the home for sale so what do I do... What is the Christian thing to do? The longer they stay the more stuff I have to repair... I have a 65% blockage in the vessels to my heart and I cannot leave this situation for my potential widow who also isn't well.. What is the Christian thing to do? They have never payed rent I allowed them to shelter in my home until they could get on their feet but that seems to evade them for now...

St Joseph pray for us...

[Jeanne S]

Originally Posted by Ridgerunner

Seems to me we need, first of all, to know what we mean by "homeless". Do we mean that one is "homeless" if he doesn't own his own home, or do we mean someone who lives with relatives, or do we mean one who lives on the street or in a shelter?

If "on the street" or "in a shelter", then it's narrowed quite a bit in numbers. A substantial number of them are insane people who could, if they would, get housing subsidies and sometimes have, but, being insane, walk away. Since institutionalization is virtually gone now in favor of "human rights", there is probably no real cure for that kind of homelessness.

Some of it really is due to bad conduct. Any landlord can give you descriptions of people who rented, then failed to pay the rent, then resisted eviction, despite the fact that they had the apparent means to pay. Some of them wreck the place before they're forcibly evicted. Some of those people spend all their money on drugs, and some are simply predatory. A history of landlord abuse tends to follow a person, to the degree that most won't rent to them if they know the history.

I'm not sure how many people are left if you eliminate those two. I'm aware of people who have ended up in a diocesan shelter who lost their jobs and couldn't find another. But most of those people eventually do end up standing on their own feet; that is, unless they are drug users.

I don't personally think there is any single cause of homelessness in this country. I also question whether the number of sane, non-addicted people really are homeless through no fault of their own is very large or permanent.

[tabycat]

Originally Posted by Ridgerunner

Seems to me we need, first of all, to know what we mean by "homeless". Do we mean that one is "homeless" if he doesn't own his own home, or do we mean someone who lives with relatives, or do we mean one who lives on the street or in a shelter?

If "on the street" or "in a shelter", then it's narrowed quite a bit in numbers. A substantial number of them are insane people who could, if they would, get housing subsidies and sometimes have, but, being insane, walk away. Since institutionalization is virtually gone now in favor of "human rights", there is probably no real cure for that kind of homelessness.

Some of it really is due to bad conduct. Any landlord can give you descriptions of people who rented, then failed to pay the rent, then resisted eviction, despite the fact that they had the apparent means to pay. Some of them wreck the place before they're forcibly evicted. Some of those people spend all their money on drugs, and some are simply predatory. A history of landlord abuse tends to follow a person, to the degree that most won't rent to them if they know the history.

I'm not sure how many people are left if you eliminate those two. I'm aware of people who have ended up in a diocesan shelter who lost their jobs and couldn't find another. But most of those people eventually do end up standing on their own feet; that is, unless they are drug users.

I don't personally think there is any single cause of homelessness in this country. I also question whether the number of sane, non-addicted people really are homeless through no fault of their own is very large or permanent.

There is another group: those who have a home, but would rather 'beg' on the street and let others think they are 'helping the homeless'.

[austenbosten]

You are asking a question about how man goes about solving a problem that will never be solved. At least until Jesus returns. So instead of seeking utopia by trying to end homelessness and meeting it with absolute failure, how about trying to make the homeless lives better?

[Dawnia]

Originally Posted by Ridgerunner

Seems to me we need, first of all, to know what we mean by "homeless". Do we mean that one is "homeless" if he doesn't own his own home, or do we mean someone who lives with relatives, or do we mean one who lives on the street or in a shelter?

If "on the street" or "in a shelter", then it's narrowed quite a bit in numbers. A substantial number of them are insane people who could, if they would, get housing subsidies and sometimes have, but, being insane, walk away. Since institutionalization is virtually gone now in favor of "human rights", there is probably no real cure for that kind of homelessness.

Some of it really is due to bad conduct. Any landlord can give you descriptions of people who rented, then failed to pay the rent, then resisted eviction, despite the fact that they had the apparent means to pay. Some of them wreck the place before they're forcibly evicted. Some of those people spend all their money on drugs, and some are simply predatory. A history of landlord abuse tends to follow a person, to the degree that most won't rent to them if they know the history.

I'm not sure how many people are left if you eliminate those two. I'm aware of people who have ended up in a diocesan shelter who lost their jobs and couldn't find another. But most of those people eventually do end up standing on their own feet; that is, unless they are drug users.

I don't personally think there is any single cause of homelessness in this country. I also question whether the number of sane, non-addicted people really are homeless through no fault of their own is very large or permanent.

The only other group of homeless that seem to have significant numbers in the larger cities are runaways.

[Robert Sock]

Originally Posted by austenbosten

You are asking a question about how man goes about solving a problem that will never be solved. At least until Jesus returns. So instead of seeking utopia by trying to end homelessness and meeting it with absolute failure, how about trying to make the homeless lives better?

To use John 12:8 as proof for the plight of the poor, is to risk false judgment. Being poor is not a bad thing if one is rich in spirit. Wherever there is pain and suffering, people (i.e. government) need to assist in the alleviation of that pain and suffering.

[austenbosten]

Originally Posted by Robert Sock

To use John 12:8 as proof for the plight of the poor, is to risk false judgment. Being poor is not a bad thing if one is rich in spirit. Wherever there is pain and suffering, people (i.e. government) need to assist in the alleviation of that pain and suffering.

I think you are misunderstanding me. The question you are asking is, what can we do to eradicate homelessness. I'm simply telling you that it's impossible. Instead of trying to solve noble, yet fanciful notions of eradicating poverty and homelessness, the best we can do is to do our best individually to help these people.

Government edict after government edict has been tried and failed and has caused a lot of misery in the process. Section 8 housing was one and it has led to rampant crime and the deaths of many minority youths. Then came the CRA which allowed very poor people to afford a home.This led to the biggest financial and housing crash in decades. Many people are out of work and are now poor, thanks to these people with their "noble" intentions of eradicating poverty with other people's money.

The road to Hell is paved with good intentions ~ Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

[Robert Sock]

Originally Posted by austenbosten

I think you are misunderstanding me. The question you are asking is, what can we do to eradicate homelessness. I'm simply telling you that it's impossible. Instead of trying to solve noble, yet fanciful notions of eradicating poverty and homelessness, the best we can do is to do our best individually to help these people.

Government edict after government edict has been tried and failed and has caused a lot of misery in the process. Section 8 housing was one and it has led to rampant crime and the deaths of many minority youths. Then came the CRA which allowed very poor people to afford a home.This led to the biggest financial and housing crash in decades. Many people are out of work and are now poor, thanks to these people with their "noble" intentions of eradicating poverty with other people's money.

With God all things are possible. Eradicating homelessness should not be that big of a deal. But God has his reasons for allowing homelessness to continue. I realize that many of the homeless people have deep seated psychological problems that causes them to become homeless. Alcohol and drug use abound in the homeless population.