In an era of financial crisis there are a growing number of families who are one paycheck away from being displaced from their homes, our government is cutting social services and failing to adequately fund programs in response to the public need. The homeless population is projected to grow at an alarming rate because of a poor economy and no longer is just comprised of the mentally ill, drug addicted or alcoholics. It now includes families and the elderly. In my state of California they have responded to this need with Penal Code 647 (e). This law is loosely written and depending on the interpretation of the law allows law enforcement to arrest someone for being homeless or sleeping in their car. In a time where there is a need for compassion and more funding to social programs we have resorted to harassing the downtrodden and shuffling them through a failed system which costs taxpayers even more money while not addressing the crux of the problem. I thought we were attempting to write anti bullying laws. Penal Code 647 (e) sounds like a justifiable means to bully people that the system that has failed and humanity as a whole has cast aside.
Each one of these homeless people has a story. Some of these people are veterans that served our country and provided our freedoms. Some of these people are children who to escape abuse in their homes have run away. Some of these people due to no fault of their own have fallen on hard times and no longer able to keep a roof over their heads. How can we sleep in our comfortable homes while these people sleep in the bushes or their cars? How can we in good conscience provide millions … billions in foreign aid to corrupt Governments while these issues go unresolved on our own soil? How can we bail out banks and big business while ignoring the basic needs of some of our citizens?
The growing epidemic is a culmination of a weak economy, repeated system failures, budget cutbacks or laws with consequences that either no one cared about or considered.
When Ronald Reagan was governor of California he shut down a large number of mental health facilities within the state. This left a significant number of the mentally ill patients homeless. It also placed them on our streets, many of which later ended up residing in our jails. California ranks in the highest number of homeless people in the United States.
Jessica’s Law prohibits sex offenders from residing 2000 feet near any school or park. From the onset this may sound like a great idea. However, this greatly reduced the ability to get housing for many sex offenders who in response ended up being homeless. In my opinion it is not a safe or sound concept that the mentally ill or sex offenders be roaming our streets for themselves and the general population.
Another segment of the homeless population is the drug addicted or alcoholic persons. Some people may think these people chose this life. I believe that kind of assumption is just another excuse for us to cast aside those who need the help the most.
Since the housing crisis many families, elderly and unemployed are adding to the growing number of the homeless population. Many people are unable to qualify for the programs to keep their homes, find employment or do not have family members who they can stay with. Where is their safety? I question if we have a viable option in place for them to transition out of homelessness or are they stuck in a catch 22 that doesn’t really adequately provide for their basic needs yet alone give them options to improve their lives.
Many of the social service programs will only help people who are having a temporary financial crisis. Other programs have wait lists such as Section 8 that are either no longer accepting new applications or have wait lists that can take years to receive assistance. When I spoke to an advocate for the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program, or HPRP, I was told
to qualify in Ventura County one would have to show financial ability to maintain housing after this one time rental assistance is received. I asked what about persons who are on a fixed income such as a SSI medical disability and don’t financially qualify to rent a room in someone’s house yet alone an apartment. I was told they don’t qualify. I question how Ventura County thought their modification of this program is able to help the “homeless” or even prevent homelessness when most Americans are not facing a short term problem. Each county received different funding amounts and was allowed by the government to structure the program as they saw fit. The original guidelines from HUD said each qualified individual could receive up to 18 months of assistance sadly enough the money is not researching those who need it the most. The HPRP Program has run out of funding in many communities and is slated to be discontinued this fall. The next level of assistance is to go to a homeless shelter. Most homeless people refuse to go because of concerns of health, safety or they have a pet that shelters can’t accommodate. To those who have lost everything their pets have become their surrogate fury family, companions that they won’t part with. Many of the low income housing dwellings do not allow pets. I believe these programs are doing good for the community but I question if we are doing enough to respond to the overwhelming need.
The government has done a census to determine the number of homeless people in our country. I believe these numbers are not accurate because a significant number of homeless people elude being counted for fear of being harassed by law enforcement or they are off the radar in areas that are not included in these reports.
Mitt Romney during an interview said that “I’m not concerned about the very poor”. “There’s a safety net there, and if it needs repair I’ll fix it”. He later responded by saying “he doesn’t believe there is a hole in the safety net but pledges to fix it if there are”. There is a hole in the safety net the size of the Grand Canyon. I ask government isn’t it time you really addressed the issues that are facing the poor in our country? Isn’t it time we did more than put a band aid on these issues but really create programs that address the issues and the underlying social problems. I do not say this to slight Mr. Romney but to point out that government is out of touch with what is happening in this country, especially to the poor.
I have experienced this firsthand. My elderly divorced mother is losing her home of 17 years to foreclosure, is on a permanent medical disability and doesn’t qualify for any current housing programs. I “HOPE” that help doesn’t arrive too late or my mother will be added to the growing number of homeless people in California. I am facing my own health issues and my brother was paralyzed in an auto accident a few years ago. Our family immigrated to the United States states when I was 6 so we don’t have much of a family support system. We are literally falling through the cracks in the system. Words can’t express the magnitude of frustration and desperation we feel nor can another relate unless you have seen the fear in their mother’s eyes as her entire future slips out of her hands.
Samantha A. Imm is a resident of Moorpark, who has helped her mother, a Hollister resident, who has been struggling with a home foreclosure.
