Homeless

"If history repeats itself, and the unexpected always happens, how incapable must Man be of learning from experience." -George Bernard Shaw

Yes, all of us know our American economy is struggling up a steep hill. The recovery we are pushing through is like many other countries that are strugglings to recover. Long periods of what many would term wild spending and untamed greed placed us at this moment in history.

What I am not here to talk about is the political or ideological reasons for the economic woes. Nor am I here to discuss aspects of the recovery. What I am here to talk about is that history has repeated itself and we are left with many in desperate need. One particular topic is homelessness and how it affects people.

Consider these figures according to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness;

- 2009 Homeless Assessment reports on a single night, 643,067 people were homeless.
- Of those, 63 percent were sheltered, 37 percent were unsheltered.
- Individuals (63%) and Family groups (37%) used shelters in 2009.
- In 2009, 1,558,917 people used emergency shelters or transitional housing programs.
- On a single night in 2009, 238,110 people in families were counted as homeless.

It is found that families experiencing homelessness are usually headed by a single woman who on average is in her late 20s with approximately two children, one or both under six years of age 11. It is also found that the three most important differences between families experiencing homelessness and other poor families concern the resources they need to secure housing.

Families experiencing homelessness;

- have extremely low incomes,
- have less access to housing subsidies than low income families who remain housed,
- and have weaker social networks that are not able to provide sufficient help.

One can always argue various reasons for homelessness. Regardless of those reasons, we should care for those who need housing or shelter. The shanties of the 1930s or the nylon tents of today, each represents someone in need. And that is what we should at least agree upon, that those in need should be helped.

That help can come from public sources, but I tend to believe the bigger assistance is going to come from you and me. From individuals caring for those in need and wanting to care for their fellow human being. We may never completely rid the world of poverty and homelessness, but we can try.

Stay inspired my friends.