Politicians: We Can’t Just Throw Money at the Homeless Crisis

During a time when homeless numbers continue to rise and are well beyond crisis proportions, our politicians seem to be avoiding how to address what is at the core of this global issue. They seem to be content relying on methods and policies of the past — but using more taxpayer dollars and expecting a different outcome.

For example, there has been much discussion around building more housing to take people off the streets, but nothing of real substance seems to be put forth in terms of keeping people off the streets and giving the homeless a fair shake at surviving and eventually thriving in our societies. At the same time, some politicians have even expressed dismay and shock over the recent rise in these homeless numbers. Let’s start with some basic facts here:

• Fact: According to the LA Times, homeless numbers are growing in the largest markets in our country.
• Fact: More money is being spent on this issue than ever before.
• Fact: Homelessness affects every age group from teens, college students, to men and women over the age of 63, to our military veterans.
• Fact: Single mothers and teens represent the highest percentage of our at-risk population. An estimated 4.24 million single motherslive below the poverty line compared to only 404,000 single fathers. At the same time, the number of homeless youths in America stands at a shocking 1.3 million. This adds up to more than 5.5 million single mothers and teens either experiencing homelessness or experiencing a factor that often leads to homelessness.
• Fact: In the midst of this crisis, it’s been reported volunteer numbers are dropping throughout the country.

Right now, the homeless statistics are staggering, but I believe that when there are more volunteers to count the homeless — and the definition changes about what qualifies as homeless and at-risk — we will only see the numbers go up.

Chances are, we’re not even counting everyone who would actually make the “at risk” list. Poverty itself creates a risk factor. Families are defined as “poor” if their total income is less than 100% of the official poverty threshold, or about $22,000 annually for a family of four. Does anybody believe that a family or even an individual can adequately and consistently provide for themselves with these earnings?

And because homelessness often stems from poverty, untreated mental health issues, addiction, and lack of access to treatment, consider these questions: Would you want your loved one to live without treatment for a condition that was impacted by genetic pre-disposition or poor circumstance? Would you want them to live this way without adequate food, shelter, clothing and medical care? Would you want their children to grow up the same way? What about survivors of natural disasters and war? Is it their choice to live on the streets?

America needs a united front on this issue and a voice that is powerful and consistent enough to motivate our political leaders to make this a top priority instead of continuing to propose throwing money at the issue.

So, what can we do as volunteers, concerned voters, bloggers, and donors to have more of an impact? For starters, voters, volunteers, bloggers and donors are raw influential power and we need to realize that… We need to believe that.

I challenge each of you to do one thing about this problem that is so widespread in our country, the land of opportunity and the free. Here’s what you can do:

• Write your local politician
• Volunteer
• Donate to a mission or shelter
• Take a tour of a mission or shelter
• Share this blog with your friends and network
• Like and follow me on Facebook and Linked In
• Simply smile and say some kind words to one of “these people.”

It all matters. They matter and your efforts matter.

If the politicians won’t get serious, we still can.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Take care and God Bless!!! 🙏🏻

Steve

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Steve Pomeroy is a visionary, homelessness prevention advocate and accomplished entrepreneur and business leader. Steve is the founder and CEO of Believe in Big Change, an online community focused on substance abuse recovery and positive mental health.

Check out his website here or follow him on Facebook.

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