I am skeptical about stories on the homeless and the economy. The Washington Post had such a story today: "A Growing Desperation, Housing, Economic Slumps May Portend Rise in Ranks of Region's Homeless, Survey Shows." As far as I can glean from the story, the "survey" consists of asking people on the streets and in shelters why they are there. Not surprisingly, they tend to blame the economy. "I made terrible decisions," or, "I have a substance abuse problem," seem not to have been popular answers. Do you really believe that a significant number of these unfortunates are homeless because of the sub prime lending crisis or because of a lack of affordable housing?
Inkwell
The Homeless
by Charlotte Hays
January 25, 2008, 10:51am
2 Comments
Bookworm | January 25, 2008, 11:22am | #
In answer to your last question -- no, I don't believe that.
I am reminded of my experience more than a decade ago when I volunteered to do legal work for people stricken with AIDS. The organization for which I volunteered had me take several hours of classes about maximizing social security and medical benefits for AIDS sufferers. Then, the calls started rolling in from HIV positive men needing legal help. Without exception, the help needed was for problems related to substance abuse and chaotic lifestyles: arrests for fights while high, nonpayment of rent because their personality problems (as opposed to their disease) meant they didn't feel they had to work, scams, etc.
Interestingly, at the same time, one of my friends was, in fact, dying of AIDS. He worked until he couldn't walk anymore, sold his possessions so he could pay for his health insurance and, when he truly became homeless because he had no more money or income, a friend took him in and he died in that friend's home. His terrible decision was in 1982, the night he got AIDS. After that, he made a series of good decisions, not enough to save his life, but certainly enough to save him the degradation of dying alone on the street.
Lisa | January 28, 2008, 10:38pm | #
The homeless, the poor, etc. When wrong decisions are made no individual blames themselves who made the decision, it is always someone else's fault.