Homelessness: Discuss!

[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.....

[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.

[BC564]

No I meant I agree with snappy's entire statement.....

[Der_Iron_Chef]

He must've edited some of it out....

[Seriak]

Well as I said the mentally ill would not be considered homeless as there defining characteristic by my definition. I mean from the people that BC564 alluded to. They should just move elsewhere. No point having a job if you can't afford to pay the bills with it.

As for the assumptions, of course we make assumptions. People fill in what they don't know with what they have heard. And usually what they have heard is based on stereotypes and usually those stereotypes are based off some truth. Hence all homeless people are alcoholic bums who should get a job and quit being a leech on society. Obviously this isn't true, but I don't care to research the stats and neither do most people.

People who standout and try to make people aware are those who work in the industy and see it first hand. I don't and I don't think I would want to. That's just me.