A domestic non-profit corporation to help the poor
A CHURCH
WITHOUT WALLS UNDER THE SKY OF WAIKIKI
“I was hungry, and you fed me.” Mat 25:35
“I want you to share your food with the hungry.”
Is 58:10
P.O.
Box 88662, Honolulu, HI 96830
(808)497-6920
See www.DisciplesOfYeshua.org and other links including www.waikikibeachoutreach.com, email to boberb2@yahoo.com
GOALS TO HELP END
HOMELESSNESS IN
As of October 14, 2008
This summarizes the objectives to be reviewed with any leader who
think it is time for a change. Since we
know you may believe in Jesus Christ, Yeshua the Messiah, we make this
presentation.
The federal government will have a $1.75 trillion budget deficit
in 2009, four times what it was this year.
China, with 1.33 billion people has a budget of $850 billion. President Obama and Bush have already
committed over $1.1 trillion dollars for bailout funds for the banks, car
companies, and the richest people in the world and will filter some of it to
keep those who own $250,000 and half million dollar homes. But the government will do nothing to give a
homeless person a place to sleep. The
Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry desires to end homelessness in one of the most
expensive land in the world where the richest people in the world
congregate. Will you help or continue
to ignore the issue?
We ask any leader to help the Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry
achieve the below listed goals in 2009.
- Help get the permits to
use the Queen’s Surf Beach concession stand to help the homeless.
- Permit
to use at three tables under the porch of the concession stand for Bible
study every morning from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
- Permit
to use most of the tables under the porch of the concession stand for
evening picnic dinner most days after concession stand closes from 5PM to
8PM.
- Permit
to use amplifier from 6PM to 7PM near concession stand most evenings.
- Permit
to use electrical power at concession stand for music, coffee, and
amplifier from 5PM to 8PM most evenings.
- Eliminate the laws that
outlaw homelessness that allow police to ticket and control the homeless
for illegal camping and illegal sleeping in cars. Needs that include breathing and
sleeping should not be illegal.
- If financial backing
becomes available, consider allowing the Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry
to rent the concession stand so permits may not be necessary and it could
earn funds to help pay for the food and assistance it gives to the
homeless in Waikiki.
- Help find a location in
Waikiki so the ministry and the pastor might have a place to operate the
ministry and provide shelter to the pastor.
Waikiki
Beach Outreach Ministry was registered in Hawaii as a Domestic Non-Profit
Corporation on March 1, 2004 by Robert E. Erb, Jr. under Chapter 414D-32,
Hawaii Revised Statues. It’s objective
is to feed and minister to the homeless on
The
Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry is a
ministry dedicated to providing food and ministry for the homeless who
live and work on the streets by Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii, to let them
know that God will help them with all their needs.
Our mission also includes a desire to provide Bibles, prayer, fellowship, and
Good Words that might be the voice of the Lord who may touch their lives. Since only one group of believers provides a
nice meal on Wednesdays, the goal is to provide the meals for the homeless the
other six days of the week. In addition,
we will have Bible study and a breakfast every day of the week that will focus
on the needs of the homeless and poor.
Additional
scope includes influencing others to recognize the civil rights of the homeless
and to ensure all men, including the homeless, are treated equal according to
the federal constitution. We will pursue all avenues to help the homeless in
Waikiki to obtain food, drink, clothes, shelter, jobs, medical care, and legal
assistance.
We believe that all men are created equal and all laws should be
enforced equally. We believe that the
government probably cannot do as good of a job to help the homeless as
religious entities can. Therefore, the
government needs only to eliminate obstacles that hinder their involvement and
to promote involvement by churches and non-profit organizations. If those who believe we should do what the
Bible says, then if only 2.5% of the population believe in God and donated 10%
of their income we could eliminate homelessness in Hawaii, assuming there is no
bureaucracy or administrative costs. (Other governments, Australia, Denmark,
etc. that have ended homelessness are paying 50-60% taxes). We don’t need government to make it happen if
men of God step up to the plate and do what Jesus teaches, then more churches
and non-profit organizations need to use their resources to affect the
communities outside their walls for social goodness.
- Remove obstacles that
prevent the ministry from utilizing the Queen’s Surf Beach concession
stand for Bible studies and breakfast in the morning and picnic dinners in
the evening as discussed above. We
feed and minister to 8 to 21 people in the mornings 7 days a week and 60
to 160 in the evenings 6 days a week at this time. (C&C have not responded in our cries for
help to get the permits and have actually removed us from using any of the
facilities)
- Provide a permit to use the
electrical power at the concession stand for coffee in the morning (8AM
to 11AM) and for gospel music and cooking needs in the evening (5PM to 8
PM).
- Provide a permit to use an
amplifier in or near the concession stand in the evening for church
services (6PM to 7PM).
- Provide a special permit for
the ministry to use some of the tables under the roof of the concession
stand for morning Bible study and breakfast (8AM to 11AM).
- Provide a special permit for
the ministry to use the area under the roof of the concession stand in
the evenings for services and picnic dinner (including preparation and
clean up time from 5PM to 8PM).
- Consider allowing the
ministry to rent the concession stand when funds become available or
authorize it to operate it to generate funds to help the homeless.
- Consider influencing others
with property to provide an operating facility for the ministry; the
ministry has a van (that was donated, but needs maintenance, were we keep
about five days of food) and also has a small space in a parking garage
to store additional food and wagons and other resources.
- Authorize use of EBT cards
(food stamps) for group homes so food may be shared in family settings.
- Begin the process of
treating homeless citizens as people and ensure civil rights.
- Direct
police to stop harassing the homeless and treat them with respect. Do not ticket the homeless for illegal
camping and sleeping in their cars – end these laws.
- Stop
all treatment to the homeless that appears to be torture, such as
stimulating sleep deprivation and fear.
The police and others constantly wake them up and induce fear of
prison and abuse. Others rob of
their belongings or beat them up and make them afraid to sleep at night.
- When
issues arise about homeless individuals, assign a non-profit organization
the responsibility to deal with each issue; do not use police resources
if possible.
- Begin
the process to eliminate all laws that attempt to control the homeless
population. Eliminate the laws
that define illegal camping and illegal sleeping in cars and work to
eliminate the existence of homelessness – see C.
- Begin
the process to formulate a law that will ensure that the homeless have
the same civil rights the handicap, gay, women, black, and other
minorities have. The homeless are
not treated like citizens, but like derelicts and outcasts.
- Remove
all citations, were feasible, from all homeless persons records so they
can transition back into society easier (instead of wasting their time
and funds on taking care of tickets).
- Remove
obstacles for homeless in getting a state ID by eliminating the cost and
helping them get the paperwork they need.
- Remove
laws that require registration of bicycles. Stop allowing police to legally steal
bicycles from the homeless (it is too expensive and difficult to do for
the poor).
- Stop
allowing police to steal the possessions of the homeless. The laws are to not allow anyone to
steal including the police.
- Begin to end
homelessness in the USA by ending it in Waikiki, then the Island of Oahu,
and then all of Hawaii, so that the rest of the states have a model to end
it in their states. Remove all
obstacles that hinder a homeless persons success to getting back into a
job and living conditions that will be better than the animal shelters.
- Stop
all obstacles that prevent a homeless shelter in Waikiki and other
localities.
- Demand
that all non-profit organizations and churches getting tax exempt status
on property tax and that have meeting rooms not used every evening to be
used to shelter the homeless.
- Stimulate
programs that will inspire churches and non-profit organizations to build
temporary shelters for the homeless so that no person needs to be
homeless. We are promoting a concept where
churches would be able to put up 8x12 sheds, or bigger, built by the
homeless and used by homeless until permanent shelter becomes
available. The material cost is
less than $1000 and could house at least 2 people with bunk beds. Laws would need to be changed to allow
many sheds on the properties (The concept is defined in a business plan
called Visions Become Reality that is being updated on the web site www.waikikibeachoutreach.com or will be updated on another new web site
being designed as www.waikikibeachoutreach.org. The
pastor and another homeless guy built a 7x15 shed in one and a half days,
then they lived in it for several months and it worked well)
- Assist
non-profit organizations to accumulate funds to acquire a retired navy
ship that might provide temporary shelter for the homeless.
- Authorize
the use of a pier (Pier 35?) to be used to dock the retired navy ship.
- Coordinate
the development of sites that could have permanent temporary shelters for
the homeless (not bigger tents that replace the tents that the homeless
now live in).
- Allow
affordable mobile home parks to be established in Hawaii.
- Allow
camping and motor home parks for affordable temporary and permanent
residence.
- More ways we can help
the homeless:
- Learn
about the homeless by
i.
Understanding who the homeless are.
ii.
Educate ourselves about the homeless.
iii.
Respect the homeless as individuals.
- What
to do when confronted by the homeless:
i.
Respond with kindness.
ii.
Carry fast-food certificates.
iii.
Develop lists of shelters.
iv.
Keep in touch with current issues about homeless
in your area from local newsletters.
v.
Bring food.
- Give
to the homeless.
i.
Give money.
ii.
Give recyclables.
iii.
Give proceeds from craft and other sales.
iv.
Give clothing.
v.
Give a bag of groceries.
vi.
Give toys to homeless children.
vii.
Give welcome kits.
viii.
Give a portion of party expenses and left over
food.
- Volunteer
to help the homeless.
i.
Volunteer at a shelter.
ii.
Volunteer at a soup kitchen or organization that
feeds the homeless.
iii.
Volunteer our professional talents.
iv.
Volunteer our hobbies.
v.
Volunteer for follow-up programs.
vi.
Tutor homeless children.
vii.
Take homeless children on trips.
viii.
Bring a meal to the homeless.
ix.
Organize a thrift shop.
x.
Volunteer job training.
xi.
Volunteer at battered women’s shelters.
- Get
others involved.
i.
Teach about the homeless.
ii.
Publish shelter information.
iii.
Enlist community organizations as advocates.
iv.
Educate our children about the homeless.
v.
Sign up our employers, schools, church, or
organizations we are involved in.
vi.
Recruit local businesses.
vii.
Ask our clergy to help and take some kind of
leadership role.
viii.
Suggest our congregation offer tithes.
ix.
Crate lists of needed donation.
- What
children can do.
i.
Teach their friends.
ii.
Collect toys and games for donations.
iii.
Prepare food and gifts.
iv.
Dontate admission fees from an event.
v.
Use birthday parties to help.
vi.
Play with children in a shelter.
- Really
make a commitment.
i.
Start a Second Harvest program.
ii.
Employ the homeless.
iii.
Help the homeless apply for aid.
iv.
Stand up for the civil rights of the homeless.
- Help
to end homelessness.
i.
Join Habitats for Humanity.
ii.
Join the Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry.
iii.
Form a transitional housing program.
iv.
Write to organizations.
v.
Contat our government representatives.
vi.
Push for state homelessness prevention programs.
vii.
Share ideas with others.
- Recognize
Homeless bigotry.
As I read and hear so many
comments about homeless people, it is very clear that most people in Hawaii
still reflect the bigotry that existed in 1962 about the blacks, except it is
focused on the homeless. I hope I am not
expressing my opinion, but expressing the facts that I know to be true.
Webster defines bigotry as a
state of mind or acts of belief of a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted
to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially, one who regards or
treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and
intolerance. There is a prevalent
dominant thought in the society in Hawaii.
Homeless bigotry exists. It may
exist in other places, too, but do we really want this hatred and intolerant
feeling to exist and be normal in Hawaii?
Can we end it?
As I walk the streets every
day in Waikiki, I know most of those who are homeless and find every one of
them to be just like those who are criticizing them. They are ordinary people who have had some
misfortune, and now cannot find anyone who are able to help them, yet. They had jobs and went to churches just like
those who are complaining and expressing their bigotry. Many of them have college degrees. None of them originally chose to be homeless. I have been here for 6-1/2 years; I have seen
that only about a dozen remain who were here when I arrived in Waikiki. So, out of the 300 homeless that live on the
3 mile stretch of beach from Ala Moana Blvd to San Sushi Beach, most of them
had jobs last year. Most of them will be
off the street within three months of struggling without shelter. Now we want to criminalize them. Those that have been here more than three
months have been beat up, ticketed, waken by police, had their stuff stolen,
spit on, and really treated worse than dogs.
Homeless bigotry exists.
Hawaii is the only state
that outlaws campgrounds and trailer parks where the poor might have
alternative housing until their situation changes. This government condones homeless bigotry by
not providing alternatives. There is no
way that shelters will solve the homeless situation; campgrounds and trailer
parks are a start. But, this government
promotes getting rid of the homeless instead of solving the problem. Homeless bigotry exists even in the
government.
Those who say that the
homeless are a bunch of vagrants, drunks, dope addicts, mentally ill rejects
and other derogatory remarks obviously do not know the truth. They saw a few and think they are all this
way. The fact is that there are more
drunks, dope addicts, mentally ill people living in these million dollar condos
than there are living on the streets.
The homeless who have problems are just seen more often. One man I know who sold drugs in a penthouse
told me he sold more drugs to those living in condos in one day than all the
drugs sold on the streets of Waikiki in a full year. So, anyone who expresses these derogatory
remarks have categorized people are reflecting their own bigotry. So we want to promote bigotry? Homeless bigotry exists.
When someone finds a
homeless person who says that that homeless person chooses to be houseless,
they are what our society would call mentally ill. These homeless have been suffering for over
four months and have suffered so much that they have gained confidence in
surviving torture. They will need more
help than those who want the security of a job and shelter. Being homeless is not a picnic. Those in jail get 3 meals, a cot, security, 7
hours of sleep, and much more. Those who
actually do violent crimes get better treatment than the homeless. Those who think otherwise have not yet been
homeless. Homeless bigotry exists.
Most of these homeless
people have applied for work and it takes a long time and a lot of rejections
to get a job in Hawaii where there is so much contempt for anyone who looks
homeless. When someone has no phone or
address it is difficult for interested people to find the homeless. This society does not promote homeless
employment. Our society is punishing men
and women because of their own misguided bigoted perceptions by not giving the
homeless the jobs they want. When any
person gets rejected 13 times, they tend to loose hope. Those who think that all the homeless need to
do is to “get a job” they obviously don’t know the truth about the difficulties
that hinder the homeless. What kind of
hope is this society willing to give to the homeless? Homeless bigotry exists.
Our society and individuals
treats dogs better than human beings. We
need to remember that the homeless are citizens. Many years ago we registered 60 homeless
people to vote. The visitors and dogs
don’t vote for our politicians and yet we treat visitors and dogs better. Is this fair?
Is this right? We put dogs in
multi-million dollar buildings, but we put humans in tents, warehouses, and
floors. Homeless bigotry exists.
If you think it is right,
then I must assume you do not know the Bible.
In Deuteronomy 15 it says that there should be no poor among you, and if
there is, we are to give to them freely, not to criticize and judge them as
being less than you. Homeless bigotry
exists.
Those who are criticizing
might be the next ones on the streets.
Why don’t we find solutions and end homelessness so we don’t have
complainers. We need some new actions
and more voices so that Dr. Martin Luther King dream changes, so “we have a
dream that homeless people are treated like human beings.” Homeless bigotry exists and needs elimination
by ending homelessness.
The American Indians had no
homeless problem until “civilization” set in.
The Eskimos had no homeless problem until “civilization” set in. The Aborigines had no homeless problem until
“civilization” set in. The African
tribes had no homeless problems until “civilization” set in. I was just told that homelessness still
doesn’t exist in Samoa. So, where did this
bigotry set in. It seems to come with a
“civilization” that only cares about themselves. Homeless bigotry exists today.
Hawaii had a plan to end
homelessness in ten years written in 2000 when only 3,000 homeless were
identified. Today there are over 8000
and increasing every day. You who are
reading this today could be the next one if we do nothing. Today that plan is no longer available on the
internet, but if was, and our society DID something to help the poor, there
would not be homeless people in Hawaii in two years. Will this happen? I guess we in Hawaii only want to TALK about
doing nothing, except criticize the poor.
It might be time to end homelessness in Hawaii by providing the help
they need, not bigoted allegations that are not the truth. Homeless bigotry exists, so let’s end
homelessness in the USA, the richest country in the world. What a model we could be to the world.
It seems that the moment
that the Hawaiians classified the white man a haole, he automatically degraded
him and made him a second class citizen because they called him one without the
breath of life. It seems that the aloha
spirit is only an advertisement gimmick that has been created by advertisement. I have been here for 6-1/2 years and I still
see bigotry around me because just because I wasn’t born here. There exists homeless bigotry in Hawaii. Can it end?
Can we start DOING something different and stop talking about it?
Each of us can DO something
about it by getting involved helping the homeless and getting to know who they
are. They are your neighbors. Let’s stop homeless bigotry. We are doing something; would you like to
help us?
As we read the words below, what do the words mean to us?
Deuteronomy 15:4-11 (The Message)
4-6 There must be no poor people among you
because God is going to bless you
lavishly in this land that God,
your God, is giving you as an inheritance, your very own land. But only if you
listen obediently to the Voice of God,
your God, diligently observing every commandment that I command you today. Oh
yes—God, your God, will bless you just as he
promised. ……
7-9 When you happen on someone who's in trouble or needs help
among your people with whom you live in this land that God, your God, is giving you, don't look the other way pretending you don't see him. Don't keep a
tight grip on your purse. No. Look at
him, open your purse, lend whatever and as much as he needs. Don't count
the cost. Don't listen to that selfish
voice ….. and turn aside and leave
your needy neighbor in the lurch,
refusing to help him. He'll call God's
attention to you and your blatant sin.
10-11 Give freely and
spontaneously. Don't have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters like
this triggers God, your God's,
blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures. There are always
going to be poor and needy people among you. So I command you: Always be generous, open purse and hands,
give to your neighbors in trouble, your poor and hurting neighbors.
Acts 2:40-47 (New Living Translation)
(40) Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly
urging all his listeners, “Save
yourselves from this crooked generation!”
(41) Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added
to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.
The
Believers Form a Community
(42) All the believers devoted
themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in
meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
(43) A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles
performed many miraculous signs and wonders. (44) And
all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. (45) They sold
their property and possessions and shared
the money with those in need. (46) They worshiped
together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and
generosity—(47) all the while praising God and enjoying
the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship
those who were being saved.
Acts 3:1-10
(1) Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take
part in the three o’clock prayer service. (2) As they
approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he
was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could
beg from the people going into the Temple. (3) When he
saw Peter and John about to enter, he
asked them for some money.
(4) Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said,
“Look at us!” (5) The lame man looked at them eagerly,
expecting some money. (6) But Peter said, “I don’t have
any silver or gold for you. But I’ll
give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and
walk!”
(7) Then Peter took the
lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet
and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. (8)
He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and
praising God, he went into the Temple with them.
(9) All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God.
(10) When they realized he was the lame beggar they had
seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded!
Acts 4:32-37
The
Believers Share Their Possessions
(32) All the believers were united
in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. (33) The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of
the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. (34)
There were no needy people among them,
because those who owned land or houses would sell them (35)
and bring the money to the apostles to
give to those in need.
(36) For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles
nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe
of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. (37) He sold
a field he owned and brought the money
to the apostles.
Acts 6:1-7
Seven
Men Chosen to Serve
(1) But as the believers rapidly
multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers
complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were
being discriminated against in the daily distribution
of food.
(2) So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They
said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running
a food program. (3)
And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the
Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. (4)
Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”
(5) Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following:
Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor,
Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish
faith). (6) These seven were presented to the apostles,
who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.
(7) So God’s message continued to spread. The number of
believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were
converted, too.
1 Peter
2:13-17
Respecting
People in Authority
(13) For the Lord’s sake, respect all
human authority—whether the king as head of state, (14)
or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those
who do wrong and to honor those who do right.
(15) It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence
those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. (16) For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do
evil. (17) Respect
everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and
respect the king.
May God’s Word touch your heart.
God bless you and all who are affected by your decisions.
Your brother in Christ,
Bob Erb – see @ www.DisciplesOfYeshua.org for links and
more information
We include other articles written by others that justifies doing
something.
The Biblical Case for
Helping the Homeless
Homelessness is a problem. It is conceivable that every city in the United
States has an issue with people living on the street. The debate of how much
responsibility the government should take for helping the homeless is heated.
One side of the isle will claim that these people, who are mostly drug addicts
and alcoholics, are responsible for themselves. The other side will argue that
as a society it is the duty of the people to help others in need. What does the
Bible say about the homeless and the poor? Does God have an opinion on whether
or not the impoverished are society’s responsibility?
The word “poor” occurs 205 times in 197 verses in the KJV Bible. God’s view on
the poor is very clear. Before we discuss God’s commandments on how we should
treat the poor, let us first look at what God’s opinion of the poor is. Jesus
is an excellent example of what a poor person was in his day. In fact, it is
safe to say that Jesus was a homeless person at least some of the time (see
Luke 9:58). The people that Jesus associated with were homeless and poor as
well. Paul, who was a close follower of Jesus wrote “even until now we…have no
certain dwelling place” (see 1 Corinthians 4:11). And finally, Paul writes that
God’s only begotten Son became poor although he was rich for our sakes (see 2
Corinthians 8:9). It is very evident in just these three verses, that God loves
poor people very much. If God made Jesus, his one and only Son, a poor and
homeless person, then it is safe to say that God actually esteems the poor and
glorifies them.
Homelessness
in the United States
Among
one of the most devastating social problems existing today is the vast amount
of homelessness in our nation. While the United States is the wealthiest nation
in the world, it does not fall short in the number of homeless people it
harbors. One source states that "Each day in the United States, at least
800,000 persons are homeless. According to Wikipedia, this includes 200,000
children in homeless families. As the wealthiest nation on Earth, the United
States still has the widest gap between the rich and the poor of any
industrialized nation today. Though the masses are often reminded of such
tragic poverty taking place in regions of Africa, many often overlook the very
same poverty which is taking place in our own nation. Homelessness is a
demoralizing problem in the United States today as it reflects the materialism
of American society, its failure to meet the basic needs of its citizens as the
wealthiest nation, and is a reflection of the underlying social issues which
exist in American culture and the excessive faith in independence at the cost
of humanity.
The
state of being homeless is much more common than the average American would
assume. As stated in Wikipedia, it estimated that two million people per year
are homeless in the United States. Homelessness is defined as "the
condition and societal category of people who lack fixed housing, usually
because they cannot afford a regular, safe, and adequate shelter. The term
'homelessness' may also include people whose primary nighttime residence is in
a homeless shelter, in an institution that provides a temporary residence for
individuals intended to be institutionalized, or in a public or private place
not designed for use as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.
Homelessness has numerous causes which can be prevented if the American people
are willing to work towards such goals. Many of the homeless have reached such
a state as a result of mental illness, attempts to escape from domestic abuse,
natural disasters, a lack of afforadable housing, or because of a lack of
health care. In the United States particularly, it is believed that the
breakdown of traditional family support systems, urbanization, poverty, and a
lack of housing have led to the rise of homelessness. People who
commonly fall victim to homlessness include single women and children.
According to Wikipedia, It is estimated that approximately 43% of today's
homeless are children.
The affects of homelessness are especially daunting and are reason enough for
putting an end to homelessness to be a top American priority. The homeless are
often victims of assault, drug and alcohol abuse, and exposure to extreme heat
and cold. Also, homeless are more likely than the general population to
contract tuberculosis, HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C. As there are a small
variety of foods available to the homeless at homeless shelters, the homless
often suffer from undernutrition because they are not receiving all the vitamins
necessary in order to live healthily. As GlobalIssues.org states, "The B vitamins
, vitamin C, zinc , calcium , thiamine, folic acid, magnesium, and iron are all
commonly found to be deficient in the homeless. Iron deficiencies are
particularly common among the homeless, leading to high rates of anemia. In
addition, the food that is likely to be offered at most local shelters and soup
kitchens is high in salt, fat, and cholesterol , contributing to a high
incidence of hypertension among the homeless.
The
homeless also do not have the same access to health care and therefore suffer from numerous health
problems. These health problems include dental problems, gastric ulcers, other
gastrointestinal complaints, cardiovascular disease, hypertension (as mentioned
above) , hypercholesterolemia , acute and chronic infectious diseases, and
diabetes. Those who cannot find access to food also suffer from malnutrition.
Particularly saddening are the health problems homeless children encounter.
These problems as outlined by GlobalIssues.org, include "chronic and
recurring physical ailments, higher rates of fever, cough, colds, diarrhea, and
obesity . In addition, a greater incidence of infections, fatigue , headaches,
and anemia. Most devastating is the "impaired cognitive development and
visual motor integration, which has been documented in homeless children due to
malnutrition." Though some Americans justify their disregard for
homelessness by claiming responsible adults should be able to manage themselves
and work, who is to blame for the children that suffer along with them?
Though homelessness is such an immense problem in our society today, we have
yet to achieve a fully affective solution to the problem. The welfare program,
for example, gives its recipients not nearly enough to be able to afford
housing. In Los Angeles, a $221 General Relief check minus $350 in rent
for the most meager housing in the city equals homelessness. Receiving General
Relief in itself has become an issue because recipients must meet a maximum
income level in order to qualify and if they exceed this amount, it is deducted
from their check anyways. Basically, "GR applicants are the men and women
who, if not homeless today, are likely to be homeless tomorrow" as stated
on GlobalIssues.org. The Food Stamp program, however, has been more affective
in helping to lessen the problem of malnutrition. This program enables low-income
families to buy food with their share of monthly coupons.
Also, programs such as the National School Lunch Program has helped curb
malnutrition for homeless/poor children; schools
are reimbursed for providing nutritious meals to qualifying children. Other
solutions to the problem exist in the form of"emergency shelters,
transitional housing, permanent housing for formerly homeless individuals, voucher
distribution for housing, food pantries, soup kitchens and meal distribution
programs, mobile food programs, physical and mental health, alcohol and/or
drug, HIV/AIDS, and outreach programs, drop-in centers, and migrant housing.
Implementing social programs such as these are necessary in order to lessen the
problem of homelessness and its affect on the children of our society
particularly; local and federal governments must take an active role in
creating new policies. It is essential for Americans to become less
individualistic, more compassionate, and take an active genuine role in helping
solve this societal issue
It is atrocious that the
wealthiest country on the globe has thus far been unable to prevent
homelessness and poverty when it has the funds to do so. The existence of
homelessness in the United States is a reflection of the social issues present
in American society. As independence and individualism is ever more strongly
stressed, people become increasingly more focused on the acquisition of
material goods and wealth while becoming less focused on working with society
as a whole and maintaining a sense of humanity and compassion. It is not
uncommon for an American to look down upon a homeless person and assume the
worst while being entirely ignorant of the cause of that individual’s current
state. It is not uncommon to see people make donations in the attempts to
flaunt their kindness instead of being genuinely concerned and wanting to make
a difference. It is also not uncommon to find those who refuse to give their
spare change to a homeless person and to refuse to show compassion; rather
blaming the individual and upholding the motto of "survival of the
fittest." Common kindness and humanity has slowly been drained from modern
society and as a result, the problem of homelessness has gone unresolved and
has continued to grow.
The Homeless in the
United States
Any
examination of social inequality in our society must include the group at the
extreme end of poverty and social inequality, homeless people in America.
Homelessness is by no means a new issue in our country, but it is also one that
has not necessarily improved in our modern age. The issue of homelessness has
been a cause that has been in the public eye in recent history, but it
currently seems to be going through a down period in the term of media exposure
and popular support to help alleviate it.
The problem of homelessness is multi-faceted, but I believe the causes and
possible solutions for this issue can be best examined from two different
perspectives. One being from a sociological or scientific perspective, and the
other being from a governmental and public policy viewpoint. I believe the modern
issue of homelessness will not only require action to solve, but also
fundamental changes in the way that we as society, including our leadership,
think about homelessness.
A recent study done by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty found
that there were an estimated 3.5 million people a year in the United States who
experienced homelessness (National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty,
2004). However, homelessness is a condition that is difficult to even measure
with any degree of accuracy. Many of the people that experience homelessness
are not the stereotypical homeless persons that would come to mind when
thinking about this problem.
For every person that is forced to reside in a shelter, whether it be provided
by government or charitable causes, there are many more people in this country
who exist right at or below the poverty line, who are hovering right above the
level of outright homelessness. These are people who are many times employed,
but at minimum levels. It is difficult to truly measure this segment of
homeless, or occasionally homeless people. They often sleep
in cars, campgrounds, or reside with other family members, places where they are
not likely to be tallied as a part of a comprehensive study on the homeless
population.
The
social issues that contribute to homelessness are complex, but there are
recurring issues that are shared among the homeless that seem to contribute to
the problem. A recent study showed that children who experienced either
physical abuse or neglect from parents dramatically increased the chance of
them being homeless later in life (Herman, et al, 1997). These type of adverse
childhood issues would contribute to several factors that encourage
unemployment and by extension homelessness, such as lack of social skills,
psychological or addiction issues, and poor or little education.
Addiction is another recurring theme among many homeless people. A recent study
found that approximately thirty eight percent of homeless people have a problem
with alcohol addiction, and that another twenty six percent of homeless people
have addictions to other drugs
(Substance Abuse and Mental health Services Administration, 2003). I believe
this to be a major factor in the homeless population, not only because of the
inherent problems that addiction brings, but also because of the challenges
posed by treating this addicted segment of the homeless population. Even if we
as a society were able to successfully provide treatment for the addictions of the homeless population,
while helping the situation, this would not be a cure-all for homelessness. The
problem is multifold, and an issue that is also shared by many homeless people
would be that of mental health and psychological problems.
An astonishing number of homeless people suffer from mental health problems. An
estimated thirty nine percent suffer from some form of mental health problem,
and twenty to twenty five percent fall into the parameters of suffering a
serious mental illness (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration, March 2003). This is an astoundingly high percentage, but the
most disturbing part of this from a social perspective would be the twenty five
percent that can be categorized with a serious mental illness. These are people
who often are in desperate need of substantial, inpatient mental health
treatment, not to mention pharmaceutical treatments that are difficult or
impossible to obtain for the homeless population. People afflicted with mental
health disorders of this type that do have homes, and supportive families,
often are incapable of dealing with what most would consider a
"normal" existence, and to compound a disorder of this type with
homelessness, would make it insurmountable.
These
aforementioned social issues are by no means independent of each other in their
effects on the homeless population. The multi faceted nature of this problem is
one of the things that makes it difficult to solve. As is often the case with a
democratic form of government, we as a people rely on our leaders to address
and help remedy the social problems of our nation. Unfortunately, governmental
action and public policy of recent has not necessarily helped the plight of the
homeless, in fact in some cases it has served to compound the problem.
The minimum wage in our country has remained the same for the last nine years,
despite rising inflation and cost of living. The republican dominated Senate recently blocked a bill to
increase the mandatory Federal minimum wage. The current minimum wage of $5.15
an hour translates to $10,700 dollars a year which is $6,000 below the poverty
line for a family of three. Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts was quoted in a recent Washington Post article as saying" Americans
believe that no one who works hard for a living should have to live in poverty.
A job should lift you out of poverty, not keep you in it" (Espo, June,
2006). Unfortunately this sentiment is not shared by the majority of our
lawmakers, as they find themselves incapable of taken even this most basic step
towards helping to ease poverty and by extension homelessness in our country.
The minimum wage used originally based on the minimum amount to keep a family
of three above the poverty line. Throughout the 1960's and 1970's, this is what
determined the federal minimum wage. Today it is estimated that a person
working full time all year on minimum waged would not be able to afford a one
bedroom apartment in any city in this country (Crowley, 2005). The
minimum wage is currently at a fifty six year low, in terms of what it will
actually buy in the marketplace.
A result of this has been that with inflation, the cost of housing has increased along the number of impoverished people
in our country. This has a two fold effect on the rise of homelessness on our
country. There is large number of impoverished workers and their families rely
on minimum wage for their livelihood, and this group often hovers precariously
above outright homelessness. Often one event such as an accident, illness, or
loss of employment can lead quickly to outright homelessness. A recent survey
of twenty four major
The public
policy of de-institutionalization of psychiatric treatment, which began in the
1950's and has continued steadily since then, is also a contributing factor to
the issue of homelessness in America. The mental illness crises is closely
linked with the homeless issue in our country. De-institutionalization was
implemented with the idea that the treatment of mental illness can be best accomplished in the
least restrictive, or institutionalized setting. It was also justified with
giving the mentally ill a greater amount of self determination and freedom in their
treatment. E. Fuller Torrey's book Out of
the Shadows: Confronting America's Mental Illness Crises, sums up
the effects of de-institutionalization eloquently.
"De-institutionalization has been a psychiatric Titanic. Self
determination often means merely that the person has a choice of soup kitchens.
The least restrictive setting frequently turns out to be a cardboard box, a
jail cell, or a terror-filled existence plagued by both real and imaginary
enemies" (Torrey, 1997).
Unfortunately these public policy and governmental issues that contribute to
homelessness do not appear to be of any great concern to our present group of
lawmakers. While I believe that action on the part of the federal government is
necessary and can help the plight of the homeless in our country, federal
regulations are only a part of the solution. This problem requires not only
federal response, but also more action from the community and the individual in
this country.
A problem as daunting as our current homelessness situation is going to require
reexamination from all levels of society. I firmly believe it can be improved
greatly, if not solved outright. But as is often the case, it is primarily
going to fall to the people of this nation to improve this situation, as it has
already been demonstrated that our leaders and lawmakers are not able, or are
unwilling to solve this problem of their own volition.
The
Problem of Homelessness in the United States of America
The
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines
"homeless" as -- (1) an individual or family without a fixed,
regular, and adequate nighttime residence; and (2) an individual or family with
a primary nighttime residence that is: A) a publicly- or privately-run shelter
designed to provide temporary living accommodations; B) an institution that
provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be
institutionalized; or C) a public or private place not designed to be a regular
sleeping accommodations for people (2006). Simply put, homelessness refers to
people who do not have adequate, safe, and consistent shelter. Estimations of
the homeless population in the U.S vary, causes of homelessness are structural
and deep-seated, and the solutions to homelessness would require a nationwide
concerted effort to make fundamental changes in the structure of society in the
United States. "People
who are homeless are not social inadequates. They are people without homes"
(McKechnie, 2006).
Due to the changing, mobile, and often hidden nature of homelessness, nobody
knows with certainty how many homeless there are in America (Coleman &
Kerbo, 2006). Due to its very nature, it is not possible to measure the homeless
population with complete accuracy. The Census Bureau counted 228,621 in a
nationwide tally, but they never intended to count them all and that number is
believed to be significantly low (Coleman et al., 2006). The National Coalition
for the Homeless recognizes a study done by the National Law Center on
Homelessness and Poverty as the most accurate approximation of the homeless
population; the study states that "approximately 3.5 million people, 1.35
million of them children, are likely to experience homelessness in a given
year" (2006). While different agencies and studies have resulted in
different numbers, all of the sources agree that the numbers of the homeless
have grown significantly in recent years (Coleman et al., 2006). However, more
important than knowing the precise number of people who experience homelessness
is our progress in ending it.
Description
of Homeless Does Not Fit Our Stereotypical View
Homeless
in the United States: Who Are We?
With
over one million individuals in the United States currently homeless, we often
create an image of what we perceive a homeless person to be; someone who is
lazy, simply chooses not to work and become productive, someone who relies
heavily upon government programs. While this stereotype of the homeless may fit
the description of a few individuals, most of the homeless in our country do
not.
To be homeless in the United States, you are part of almost one million people
with your population group increasing. Of this population of one million
individuals, nearly 20 percent are children. In fact, if you are homeless in
the United States, you may be a family with children and account for nearly 30
percent of the homeless population.
According to the Federal Bureau of Primary Health Care, if you are homeless you
do not possess a permanent address, and most likely live in an unstable
environment. You may be someone who was hospitalized for an extended period of
time or even incarcerated; released without shelter or a home to return to.
In addition to the 30 percent population of homeless families with children,
nearly over 40 percent of the homeless are single men and over 17 percent are
single women. The remaining balance of homeless individuals fall into
unaccompanied minors who live among the streets.
To be homeless in the United States, you may hold a job as nearly 20 percent of
the homeless do. However, due to the costs and financial requirements for
renting apartments and housing, as a homeless individual, you simply can not
afford to live elsewhere.
Whether a result of homelessness, or a contribution to homelessness, if you are
currently homeless, you most likely suffer from a mental health complication
such as depression and anxiety. With limited access to healthcare,
your medical needs are not met, resulting in a greater risk for disease
and illness; impacting public health.
To
be homeless in the United States, most individuals do not fit the stereotype
that we often conjure in our minds; one of laziness, non-productive and
illiterate individuals. In fact, many individuals do possess the skills to work
hard if only given a chance to find stability in their lives. With proper
medical attention, education, housing support and employment, many homeless individuals can
return to a somewhat normal and stable life. Without proper assistance,
homeless numbers in the United States are continuing to increase and,
ultimately, will become a burden upon society.
Why the
Homeless Are Not a Campaign Issue
Forgetting
to Fight for Willy
The
United States repeatedly is tauted as the super power of super powers. We have
military might and financial wealth that place us atop the pile of super powers
throughout all of history. Yet in the midst of the unbelievable wealth and
lavish life style led by some and the comfortable, well off, well sheltered
lifestyle of many others, there still exists a segment of the population that
is homeless. In America there are people, there are families who must turn to
shelters or worse the interior of a broken down car, the inside of a cardboard
box, the underpass of a bridge, for comfort when the night descends. Why is it
that this horror story of modern
The Constituency Perhaps we really shouldn't be surprised that
the homeless are not a campaign issue in our current presidential campaign.
After all political campaigns are generally about two things, winning votes and
raising enough money to win more votes. Seen in that light the issue of the
homeless is not apt to get much of a play among candidates.
National statistics show that every night 100, 000 Americans have no shelter
they can call their own. During a full calendar year statistics also point out
that some 3 million Americans experience the condition of homelessness. Of that
3 million nearly 35% are families. An issue that effects 3 million people might
well find its way into a national political campaign . It would depend of
course on just who those 3 million people were. The homeless are a constituency
of impoverished and marginalized human beings. To politicians they are a rather
nameless, faceless embarrassment in the body politic and there is good reason
to believe that only a very small portion of homeless ever cast a ballot. With
no solid voting record and certainly no money to donate to a political
campaign, the homeless constituency does just not attract the interest or
attention of candidates in the presidential campaign.
Lack of Advocates. Not only do the homeless not attract attention
on their own, they also suffer from another political handicap. For the most
part they don't have powerful or rich friends who can advocate for their cause.
In the United States there are issues where the affected people are not
especially rich or powerful themselves, but for a variety of reasons those
people do have powerful advocates. They find their voice through the power of
their friends and they make their voices heard.
For example in the United States the working man or woman receiving a
subsistence wage can be empowered by membership in a Union. The
The Pie is Already Cut. On the political campaign trail one
reason why the homeless are not a major issue is because of the extensive
agenda of major issues already facing candidates. People who are presidential
candidates must be prepared to speak on the major issues of the day whenever
and wherever they emerge before a crowd. They must be constantly updated by
their staff on issues like the war in Iraq, national security, immigration,
national defense and health care. And they must be brought up to date on
regional and locally important issues as they move from one geographic area to
the next.
In fairness to the candidates they have only so many hours in their political
day. The pie graph that might represent that day has already been effectively
cut up and divided among what handlers consider to be key issues, issues that
will get votes, issues that will attract media, issues that provide good sound
bites. There is seldom, if ever, the time or the appropriate place for
candidates to address the issue of homelessness or make it part of the national
debate
Fixing Homelessness Costs Money. Politicians
instinctively shy away from any issues that are apt to have a price tag
attached to them. Certainly addressing the homelessness of 3 million people is
going to cost money. Bringing the issue of the homeless before people in a
campaign setting means one of two things. Either more taxes will have to be
raised to pay for programs to erase homelessness from America or funds
currently in use for other programs will have to be reallocated. No politician
wants to carry the message that people with homes are going to have to either
pay more or give up something in order to cure the problem of homelessness in
the U. S. and so the issue remains for the most part out of the political
discussion by mutual consent of the politicians and those whom they address.
Pandora's Box For the brighter candidates, one reason why the
homeless are not a campaign issue is because beginning a political dialog with
the American people about homelessness necessarily opens a huge Pandora's box
of other related issues. Once we, as a nation begin to really put a face on the
homeless we also come face to face with some other hefty unresolved issues.
Looking at the homeless means looking at our health care system, our mental health care provisions, rent control, subsidized
housing, job skills training, transitional housing programs, HIV care, drug and alcohol addiction,
immigration.
Looked at in simple political terms why would any candidate in his or her right
mind bring up a subject so likely to take them down the road to such explosive
topics. You would really have to have some type of political death wish to
bring up the issue of the homeless in a presidential campaign .
Looking at Ourselves. We have to say that for politicians there
is a good reason to avoid all of the troubling issues associated with the
homeless. A discussion of even one of the side issues has the potential for
leading us to painful self-examination as a nation. Each issue might be the one
that forces them and us to do what we all are usually so successful in avoiding
. The issue of the homeless and the main related side issues can cause us to examine our values and really look
critically at ourselves as individuals and as a super power.
When it comes right down to it, Americans like to think of themselves as a
generous people, a caring people, a people who willingly champion humanitarian
causes. For sure there is evidence that in many instances we are all of those
things. But looking at the issue of the homeless in America and all the
unresolved issues connected to the homeless, we are reminded that in many
instances we are less than what we might be.
In
the Tom Cruise/ Jack Nicholson film "A Few Good Men" two marines are
forced to come to grips with why they are being sentenced to a dishonorable
discharge from the corps. One marine insists that they didn't do anything
wrong. But the other soberly recognizes that they didn't do their job. They
were supposed to fight for guys who couldn't fight for themselves, or as the
marine eloquently puts it "We were supposed to fight for Willy."
The campaign for the
LET’S
END HOMELESSNESS IN WAIKIKI, THEN HAWAII, THEN THE USA.
God
promises He will bless us.