Homelessness: Discuss!

[findingnemo1]

Originally Posted by EmilyB

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I pretty much think we all have a right to feel safe.

I agree with this.We all deserve to fell safe. But what about them? Do they not deserve to feel safe as we'll?


However, I wouldn't want this in my neighborhood either.

http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/RTGAMA...calgary.ctv.ca

OMG what is wrong with this. It is a subsidized housing complex? Everyone wants them off the street but they don't want them in there neighbourhood. Its the vicious circle...we want them off the street,but they can't get off the street without affordable housing,so we set up affordable housing but we don't want it in our neighbourhood.Where are they supposed to live in the booneys?

Subsidized housing means a few different things. They are either employed and just need some help when it comes to rent(gee do you think in Alberta) Or they have a physical or mental health issue and they are on a program like AISH.

I agree with the fact that people who moved to Alberta to enjoy the "boom" Should have researched alot more before they came. BUT they do not deserve to live on the streets with there families. And what about the people who were born and raised Albertans that have been pushed out of there homes by over bearing and money hungry lanlords that thought it would be okay to raise the rent 1000.00 at a time. What about them???

I can tell you about them...They are the casulties of our "BOOM" They are the ones that have gotten lost in our system. And they are the ones who will suffer the consequences in more ways then everyone thinks. Then starts in the severe deppression as they have nothing. Then regular run of the mill people like you and i have mental health issues. And it just spirals from there.

Like really people we all want to point a finger but no one wants to do anything about it but whine and complain.Do what ever you need to do but don't bring it to my back yard?How is that a solution to the problem.

[digital-audiophile]

I've been working in the downtown core for the past decade. After all this time I see the same people on the same corners begging for money after ll these years. The current system is not working, but I don't have the answers on how to fix it.

I really don't think Broncos plan of giving them all a place to live is going to make a difference.

I agree that there are a lot of mental health issues in the homeless community.

Speaking of walking the plus 15's I assume you are talking about the one dude that wears the brown work overalls and jacket? That guy is lucky to be alive as during the summer he tends to walk in traffic, last summer he came within literally 2" of being a splatter on my bush guard.. scared the crap out of me!!

[Moogled]

Sometimes persisted substance addiction is not choice. When an individual attempts to quit, they normally lapse into what is known as a withdrawl phase.

During this phase of abstinence, they experience a variety of symptoms both somatic and psychological and as a result, they regain substance use to take away these symptoms.

This is why addictions are hard to dissolve; you always have to consider the negative feedback that occurs. So for those that only talk about addiction superficially, albeit shallowly accurate, you guys need to learn more about it before presuming what addiction really is.

An example of a family member is not proof, it's an illustration.

[BC564]

Every individual case of homelessness is just that....some are similiar....some arent even close....some make a bad choice and some are dealt it....but either way we arent going to do anything here except argue over each others individual opinions which really....we are all right.....no buddy's opinion is better then anyone elses......some are harsh...some are more sympathetic.....some deal with it and some avoid and ignore it....we could pick pretty much any topic and argue over it because we will all have a different opinion on it....and it will get heated and then it all starts.....

I dont know what the answer is for homelessness.....but from most of the homelessness that I have seen....somewhere along their life path....a bad decision was made and it all spirals out of control from there.....can they make it back?...Im sure some can....but Im also sure some dont want to....not saying they chose to be homeless...but some chose not to work...and sorry...homeless comes with that...

[Moogled]

Originally Posted by BC564

Every individual case of homelessness is just that....some are similiar....some arent even close....some make a bad choice and some are dealt it....but either way we arent going to do anything here except argue over each others individual opinions which really....we are all right.....no buddy's opinion is better then anyone elses......some are harsh...some are more sympathetic.....some deal with it and some avoid and ignore it....we could pick pretty much any topic and argue over it because we will all have a different opinion on it....and it will get heated and then it all starts.....

I dont know what the answer is for homelessness.....but from most of the homelessness that I have seen....somewhere along their life path....a bad decision was made and it all spirals out of control from there.....can they make it back?...Im sure some can....but Im also sure some dont want to....not saying they chose to be homeless...but some chose not to work...and sorry...homeless comes with that...

Part of that reason is because there are:

1. Ignorants that think they know about the topic.

2. Mildly informed people that have preconceptions about the topic.

3. Not necessarily educated people that work in the "industry," but have done sufficient research to understand many dimensions of the topic.

Unfortunately, a large part of well-meaning, mature adults fit into the 2nd category. Most have not bothered to go beyond their personal experiences and what the media broadasts. Furthermore, they can only make superficially accurate assumptions based on the aforementioned items.

I mean, man, when you read scholarly journals as well and statistical results regarding deviance and social reintegration, you'll lose alot of preconceptions that you might have had prior.

It's not about blaming fault on those that don't spend hours reading peer reviewed journal articles, but that's just the fact of the matter when it comes to analyzing what most people know in regards to things we see everyday.

[Moogled]

For those that are interested, my discussions regarding homelessness with Sociology and Crimonology professors have brought this video to light:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...gh+a+Blue+Lens

Constable Al Arsenault, along with six other policemen, began video-documenting the lives of people on their beat to create a powerful educational tool to help prevent drug use among young people. This unique group of officers, dubbed the Odd Squad, forged an unusual relationship between police and addicts in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

Through a Blue Lens tells this moving and compassionate story. The result is a gritty documentary that gives addicts a voice to talk openly about who they are, and how they got to the streets. Through their participation on this video, they hope to stop others from sharing their nightmare. Warning: Contains coarse language and graphic scenes. Preview before use.

A half-hour educational now available version of Through a Blue Lens, entitled Flipping the World, for students aged 13 to 16. The film follows seven high-school students as they investigate the complex world of drug addiction. This culturally diverse group of teenagers engage beat officers, recovered addicts, people in drug recovery, and those still struggling with drug abuse in lively and provocative interviews designed to stimulate classroom discussion.

[Pier Pressure]

I have heard that in BC, if you are not from BC, you cannot collect a social services cheque there. What social services will do for people in BC is to provide them with a bus ticket to Calgary, Alberta. This may just be a rumour - I am not sure.

However, thanks to the "Homeless Hilton", we have a lot more than our fair share of homeless people. And thanks to the "boom" we have even more.

I am sick of hearing how "spoiled" I am because I happen to own a home and have some luxuries. I worked like a dog to obtain what I have, and I certainly did not ever ask anybody for a free ride along the way.

[dsaundry]

Interesting thread so far, its a pretty good study just in this short thread about how society views "Homeless" people. Nobody has really come up with a solution for it. There are some "hard liners" as well as some "bleeding hearts"
I am not trying to slam anybody, just showing the range of opinions. I used to live in the downtown area of Vancouver and have seen just about everything, from the drug addicts, prostitutes, the seedier criminal side as well as the "regular hard working people" as well. I have had the misfortune of seeing a 15yr old girl take a dive from a 12 story balcony, I have seen people stabbed and have been around when shots have been fired. I have seen the results after a pimp beats the crap out of a prostitute so you might think I would be jaded in some topics discussed here. I have also seen the good side of people that try to help, shelters to keep people out of the cold, some churches that feed these people on a regular basis and even kids at schools taking warm clothes to the "Street People". My living in Vancouver's downtown area was 25+ years ago. So has it changed or is it worse. After visiting it again a few months ago I would say the situation is worse, but there isn't any difference as to the reasons these people are there. Sure there are some that can and choose not to work, there are some that are mentally imbalanced and cannot work as well as the ones that the drugs and booze have affected their abilities to work. There are the success stories of the ones who kicked their habits and now function in what we call a responsible manner. Our B.C. government has just announced that they will be opening up a facility for the mentally unbalanced people although I think it will be woefully insufficient. I have a daughter who is/was addicted to "crack" and has been battling it, and has been clean for the last couple of years. I know what she has done for money and drugs and as a father if I had the opportunity to go back in time and break the guy up who got her hooked... well it would be a tempting offer..but as an adult I have no say as to what she does, when she was arrested they wouldnt tell me what for unless she told them. She was 19yrs old then. I will also point out that she has been living with her mother off and on in Calgary for the last 7 yrs.{Not a slam on Calgary} The sad part of it all is if she was 15 she would qualify for medical help and I as her parent could have some say as to her getting help. I am talking about councilling as well as medical help, as a young adult she falls through the cracks in society.The view from the government is that as an adult you are supposedly capable of making all the decisions unless you are a danger to the public. So as a father of a daughter who has been on and off the streets I agree there should be more done. As a taxpayer I also agree that we are being taxed to death and I dont want to pay anymore tax's. I commend the people and organizations who try to help but I also agree there are some people that are beyond all help and what do you do with them? If there was a simple solution it would have been dealt with by now. It was one of the toughest things I ever had to do by telling my daughter that unless she got off the drugs and got help that I would not help her anymore.You may not agree with my methods but it started her in the right direction. "tough love"? I hope she stays clean and off the streets as I cannot monitor her every move, so as a society we cannot monitor every homeless person or the reasons they are there. Now before I end this little statement I will say that I have 4 children and 3 are just fine. Yes there has been some typical teen drinking and drug use that we were aware of but not to the extent of my one daughter. All are adults now and pursuing their careers and so far doing well. My daughter was never abused and came from a loving home. I am probably classed as upper middle class and as you can see it doesnt matter. My daughter was homeless because she was a young girl who made a mistake and was not mentally strong enough at the time to get out of it. She can also slip back into this as well, I know. An addict is alway an addict. I am not really pointing fingers at anyone or anything, just stating that this thread could go on for a very long time. There is NO immediate solution to the homeless issue at this point..Sad but true

[Lydia]

Originally Posted by digital-audiophile

Speaking of walking the plus 15's I assume you are talking about the one dude that wears the brown work overalls and jacket? That guy is lucky to be alive as during the summer he tends to walk in traffic, last summer he came within literally 2" of being a splatter on my bush guard.. scared the crap out of me!!

There are actually a few that I see - one talks to himself constantly, another almost giggles constantly, and then there's a really sad looking young man dressed all in black - one look in his eyes and you know he's really not there. It breaks my heart, because this is someone's child. And he needs to be institutionalized. I can't imagine he ever showers, and I can't imagine where he sleeps or obtains food.

I also see the 'regulars' who sit on the corners and panhandle. They are usually clean, and appear to be well fed. Instead of dropping money in their hats, I am a monthly contributor to the United Way - half my contribution goes to shelters, the other half to addiction programs.

For anyone who hasn't seen it - there is a couple from Vancouver who put together a Homeless Wish List for Christmas. It was a fantastic idea - they obtained personal stories from each individual, along with their 'wish list'. Many of them simply wanted a clean pair of socks, or bus tickets. By reading their stories, you realize that these are individuals, and they ended up where they are from a wide variety of causes. I was especially saddened by the number of men who ended up on the street because they could not get past a divorce, the loss of their family, their home, etc. Our own coping skills are not something we should ever take for granted...

There were also many cases of mental illness, such as schizophrenia. Please don't tell me someone CHOSE to be born with that.