Homelessness: Discuss!

[Der_Iron_Chef]

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!

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!

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.