Homelessness has become a huge epidemic. When you pass by someone holding a sign asking for help it's easy to think "Why don't they just get a job or why should I give my hard earned money to a lazy bum?" I can't speak for everyone that's homeless cause every situation is different but the challenges faced go deeper. Shelter is a basic necessity yet so many remain deprived. So many people overlook the many challenges homeless people face on a daily basis. Not having a bed to sleep in is just the beginning. Not having an address makes it hard to get mail or fill out job applications. You can't do much without a cell phone these days. Everything is now online, from job applications to public assistance programs. Having a cell phone comes with more challenges though. Finding a place to charge your phone can be difficult. Most businesses only allow paying customers to charge devices and even at that some places ask you to leave as soon as you're done. Then you have to consider keeping your belongings safe. Think of it this way, when you take a trip for the weekend, how much stuff do you pack? How much of that do you consider necessity? Could you imagine having to carry your stuff everywhere you go? Having to worry about your stuff being stolen is all too real for most that are homeless. Not to mention when you are asleep, how vulnerable it makes you. Women tend to be more vulnerable considering that a majority of the women I know personally have been victims of some form of sexual assault including rape. Society also associates the homeless with drugs and crime. They do go hand in hand more often than not but I believe it's more of a cause and affect situation. Drug use is more of a way to deal with the situation and not the cause of the situation. Crime is a result of people exhausting all available resources. When you lack options you find yourself doing what's necessary just to survive. It turns into a vicious cycle. There is not nearly enough available resources for people expiriencing homelessness and all too often what is available is limited even further by program restrictions and eligibility requirements. The area that I'm in offers next to nothing for individuals unless you suffer from some sort of mental illness or drug addiction.
When it comes down to it the real problem lies with society. It's gotten to the point where nobody wants to be held accountable and everyone wants to point the finger in another direction. We need to stop fussing over who to blame and focus more on viable solutions that help to end the problems before they start. Instead of thinking "Why don't they just _?" Maybe think "What can I do to help?" We all have the ability to help someone in need but usually are too preoccupied with selfish idealistic values. As a society we have changed to become more diverse and inclusive. The homeless should be no exception. Poverty is not a choice but moreso the lack of options. Let's create more options and less obstacles.
© DejaVu