We all need to work together to to solve the problem of homelessness
“Where are the homeless to go?” “Whose responsibility are they?” These, I think, are the tough questions. Between the sad employment situation, mental health issues and struggles with addictions, a lot of people find themselves with nowhere to go. For those with no safety nets to catch them, the river underpasses, parking garages or a place like Camp Take Notice are their last refuge.
“Where are they to go?” If those at Camp Take Notice are evicted from their current location, they will no longer be the concern to neighbors uncomfortable with their presence. They will, however, simply then become the concern of others as they move into other neighborhoods. This is, therefore, a community problem. Displacing the homeless from one location after another doesn’t seem to be a good solution for the homeless or for our community.
“Whose responsibility are the homeless?” The easy answer is to say, “It’s their problem.” The reality of living in society, however, is that there are people in need of help. For a whole host of reasons, there are people who cannot make it on their own. So who then is responsible for helping them? Churches? Tax payers? Non-profits?
The easy answer is to say, “It’s not my problem.” The more difficult, but more successful answer, will come through all of us working together.
The Rev. Dan Reim
Campus minister, St. Mary Student Parish, Ann Arbor
Comments
David Briegel
Mon, Jul 25, 2011 : 12:12 a.m.
Think occassionaly of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight. Albert Schweitzer
pseudo
Sun, Jul 24, 2011 : 12:11 p.m.
After a brief scan of both the article and the comments here I am a little taken aback. First, there seems to be the perception implied in the article that Washtenaw County doesn't do anything for our homeless population. This is a false perception! Washtenaw County puts enormous resources to work for the homeless and gives so much that we attract homeless folks from surrounding counties. Its never going to be enough but we do a great deal for our homeless. Second, I think its important to remember that communities are strongest when they act together, share resources and act together based on knowledge and expertise. That means 'sharing' and having some sort of compassion. It also means that we need to listen and work with the science and expertise in a given subject. That means coordinated effort - not a series of kind-hearted, singular, efforts that may serve to enable and enhance bad situations. I do not see Camp Take Notice as a bad situation but there have been many efforts to support the homeless that have done more damage than good. Third, I think its easy and egotistical to say that 'all able bodied people should work for it' but until you have tried to work with someone who is mentally ill and can't stand to be around people, you have no idea what you are talking about. That kind of view is lacking in compassion and understanding. Forth, it is WAY important not to confuse or conflate Ann Arbor's panhandling problem with the homeless population. They just aren't the same people. I agree that those who can, should work for it. I also agree that homelessness is not a problem we are going to solve in singular efforts or blanket statements about 'responsibility' . Washtenaw County and the City of Ann Arbor have stepped up to the plate to providing services but its not a simple problem.
Isabelle
Sun, Jul 24, 2011 : 5:59 a.m.
The attitude that many Ann Arborites have regarding the homeless absolutely breaks my heart. It's so easy to pass the homeless by as you fumble through your bag for your cell phone with Starbucks in your hand as you run off to work. How many times do people stop to have a conversation with these people? The first time I did I was amazed at the stories I heard. In fact, the first homeless man I ever stopped to talk to shared his story with me: he was a minister for the majority of his life, but eventually couldn't support himself and lost his home. The happiness he still had as he shared the Gospel with me brought me so much joy and introduced me to exploring Christianity. His heart is still so alive despite the idle image many have of him. The next homeless man I befriended saved my life as I was pulled into an alleyway by a strange man late one night on my walk home from work. When I was grabbed, he heard me scream and ran to help me. Without him, I can only imagine what would've happened that night. It's not to say that many of the homeless are not drug addicts who have a rough road ahead of them to get clean, or people with mental conditions who indeed need some degree of care, but I've learned a great deal from these people. It's heartbreaking that so many affluent people think that their lives would be better without the homeless; my life would unsound without them.
Basic Bob
Sun, Jul 24, 2011 : 1:12 a.m.
"You obviously didn't get the memo Rev. Dan." Thanks for blaming the conservatives (people with values) with your weak sarcasm. What are the progressives (people opposed to people with values) doing to solve the problem? Absolutely nothing but clamoring for lifelong benefits for their union buddies. Ann Arbor liberals are not contributing to help those less fortunate any more than the super rich.
Chase Ingersoll
Sun, Jul 24, 2011 : 12:36 a.m.
I have never seen a persons homelessness not successfully overcome when they are willing to work as hard and make as many sacrifices as all of the volunteers, caseworkers and charitable givers who repeat these sacrifices year, after year after year.
Enso
Sat, Jul 23, 2011 : 9:24 p.m.
A large percentage of homeless are mentally ill. How does someone who can't be self-reliant become self-reliant?
Enso
Mon, Jul 25, 2011 : 2:11 a.m.
Yeah, there's some trustworthy folks.
a2 Brute?
Sun, Jul 24, 2011 : 12:55 p.m.
Then get a loan from a bank.
Enso
Sat, Jul 23, 2011 : 10:26 p.m.
Most of it is going to insurance companies and bankers.
a2citizen
Sat, Jul 23, 2011 : 9:41 p.m.
Apply for some Obama money. That would be a good start.
bruceae
Sat, Jul 23, 2011 : 8:33 p.m.
We just built them a multi million dollar shelter a few years ago so why aren't they using it? Oh, I know it's because you can't drink and get high with your buddies there. Stop giving them money on the street and they will go away and become someone else's problem.
Hot Sam
Sat, Jul 23, 2011 : 11:53 p.m.
@Enso Can you provide some details of this "closure"? It seems that we would hear about something like that...
Enso
Sat, Jul 23, 2011 : 9:26 p.m.
That's not right. Actually the homeless shelter you are speaking of just closed part of their facility. They gave 30 people sleeping bags and a 'good luck.'
joe.blow
Sat, Jul 23, 2011 : 7:26 p.m.
I like how liberals talk about the homeless like they're objects to be owned. "Whose responsibility are they." How about this, LEAVE THEM ALONE! When they want to improve their life, they will. In the mean time, make it illegal to beg for money and hope they go somewhere else. I here Mexico is nice this time of year .... or California.
joe.blow
Sun, Jul 24, 2011 : 2:38 a.m.
Last time I checked, it was illegal to squat in my backyard. They can do what they want, like everyone else, as long as they follow the law.
Jake C
Sat, Jul 23, 2011 : 8:44 p.m.
So, if a homeless individual (or a camp of a few dozen) were living in your backyard, you'd just "leave them alone" because they're people and not objects to be owned? I'm not sure I understand your point.
Jeffersonian
Sat, Jul 23, 2011 : 6:02 p.m.
I'm sorry but what is the point of this article? It doesn't seem to contain a specific proposal or framework for action. Nobody wants to see people homeless and suffering. So what are the real options here? Build a homeless shelter, create busy-work jobs, soup kitchens. public welfare programs,,, Nothing that hasn't been tried already to some extent. Sometimes its like herding cats- you can't force the homeless to act in their best interest. Trampling on personal freedom is not an option nor is Indulging a self effacing lifestyle. So you end up with the patchwork of assistance that we have. Every case is different and sadly the resources, even if doubled or tripled would still leave us with homeless.
Jake C
Sat, Jul 23, 2011 : 8:42 p.m.
"I'm sorry but what is the point of this article? It doesn't seem to contain a specific proposal or framework for action." It does, if you truly pay attention to the words contained within.
a2citizen
Sat, Jul 23, 2011 : 7:35 p.m.
It's not an article. It's a letter to the editor.
eagleman
Sat, Jul 23, 2011 : 4:32 p.m.
Mr. Briegel, how did Americans cope when our government was small? Did they starve? Nope. They supported themselves. The notion that self-reliance should be encouraged culturally is a GOOD thing. An idea that feminism encourages among women. Why do you want people to be slaves to government, Mr. Briegel? Why do you want people to be wards of the state? Why do you hate the idea of self-reliance? It is true that many homeless are mentally ill.Those unfortunate souls ought to be given care if for no other reason than for safety of the person and society at large. But it is also true that many homeless are indigent because of decisions they have made. It is perfectly legitimate to ask why we should give aid to able-bodied people because of their poor choices in life. It is not unreasonable to expect people to "pull themselves up by the bootstrap" when countless other Americans have done the same. That said, no American should ever be in need of food or shelter. We should provide that for all who need it. But those able-bodied should have to work for it. Perhaps re-creating the Civilian Conservation Corps(CCC) where the nation receives something in return, would be an idea worth investigating. That would be better than simply giving them services. There has to be a middle ground between the extremes of Mr. Briegel represents("Let's support all on the taxpayer dime.") and the Tea Party("Let them all rot!"). Surely America can conjure up a way to help those who need it without establishing a permanent dependency on government largesse.
eagleman
Sun, Jul 24, 2011 : 3:30 a.m.
"Not exactly true. I imagine you mean back near when the country was founded when government was 'small.' In that case you are talking not about "Americans" but mostly white males. And how did they support themselves? Slave Labor and a healthy bout of genocide." Grossly inaccurate. Most white males did not own slaves. Furthermore, 90% of the natives died as a result of disease nor what was the legal concept of genocide invented until 1948. Thus, legally speaking there was no genocide--unless you are retroactively applying standards of the 20th century to those of the 19th, long after those involved had died.T Are not white males "Americans"? They are and yes Americans of all colors and genders helped each other because they had to--especially so early on. You will recall the assistance that the settles at Jamestown received from the natives.
eagleman
Sun, Jul 24, 2011 : 3:20 a.m.
"Uh, seriously? Many people have starved to death over the history of our country. Hundreds and hundreds of thousands of them. Why do you think this was any different in our "glorious" past when "neighbors always helped each other" instead of today?" You're right, some people did starve, but most of those were people were pioneers who did not have a large, well organized community to turn to for assistance. The rest were Indians who starved as a result of the being tossed into lands with a climate and soil they were ill prepared for. But point of fact, there is no great famine in our nation's history. There is nothing in comparison to the Great Potato Famine that the Irish suffered through. People have starved, but they have starved either as a result of a lack of access to help or through governmental policies that directly lead to their starvation. But no group has starved when they have had access to food or when not impeded by government policy.
Enso
Sat, Jul 23, 2011 : 9:30 p.m.
"how did Americans cope when our government was small? Did they starve? Nope. They supported themselves" Not exactly true. I imagine you mean back near when the country was founded when government was 'small.' In that case you are talking not about "Americans" but mostly white males. And how did they support themselves? Slave Labor and a healthy bout of genocide.
Jake C
Sat, Jul 23, 2011 : 8:41 p.m.
"Mr. Briegel, how did Americans cope when our government was small? Did they starve? Nope" Uh, seriously? Many people have starved to death over the history of our country. Hundreds and hundreds of thousands of them. Why do you think this was any different in our "glorious" past when "neighbors always helped each other" instead of today?
eagleman
Sat, Jul 23, 2011 : 6:02 p.m.
Frankly, I have not given much thought to the specifics. That is why I said ""can conjure up.." because as of yet there is no set plan for how to address this issue in a moral and socially responsible manner. I'm not an ideologue. I am open to investigating ideas so long as they are practicable.
DBH
Sat, Jul 23, 2011 : 5:39 p.m.
"There has to be a middle ground between the extremes of Mr. Briegel represents("Let's support all on the taxpayer dime.") and the Tea Party("Let them all rot!"). Surely America can conjure up a way to help those who need it without establishing a permanent dependency on government largesse." Any ideas, eagleman, on how that would be accomplished? Should it be on a federal, state, local level? Should it be a mandatory program? How would you fund it? If not mandatory, how would you prevent those communities with successful programs from becoming magnets for the homeless from communities without such programs? How would you determine who would be eligible?
Angry Redneck
Sat, Jul 23, 2011 : 4:22 p.m.
"Camp Take Notice" is exactly the type of assistance we should be giving the homeless. Here's a piece of land(away from the general public) to live on until you get back on your feet. Get clean and sober, then make a re-entry into society. The last thing we want is more homeless people mobbing the downtown areas begging for money for alcohol.
DBH
Sat, Jul 23, 2011 : 4:18 p.m.
"It's all right to tell a man to lift himself by his own bootstraps, but it is cruel jest to say to a bootless man that he ought to lift himself by his own bootstraps." — Martin Luther King Jr. How does one person, or a community, help the homeless in a broad sense without making that community a magnet for the homeless from other communities? This has always seemed to me to be a likely paradox of helping the homeless. Such efforts, if successful, seem destined ultimately to be victims of their own success.
David Briegel
Sat, Jul 23, 2011 : 3:55 p.m.
You obviously didn't get the memo Rev. Dan. There are to be NO tax monies expended on behalf of the less fortunate in our TeaPublican world. It is the individuals responsibility to pull himself up by his bootstraps. Self reliance is the answer. There are plenty of jobs available if you just look and are willing to work. There is no mental health crisis in Ann Arbor because everyone is healthy and above average just like Lake Wobegon. This is their response to YOUR crisis! It is YOUR resposibility Rev. Dan. Those conservative fundamentalists will be right there beside you. If behind is beside!
EyeHeartA2
Sun, Jul 24, 2011 : 12:58 a.m.
"confiscating millionaire and billionaire homes" Kudos for actually saying out loud what your left wing brothers are thinking. Confiscate. Very telling.
Enso
Sat, Jul 23, 2011 : 9:32 p.m.
Cold Fear, You are actually on to something there. Let's reclaim the wealth of this country by confiscating millionaire and billionaire homes and give them to people that could really use them for some good.
tdw
Sat, Jul 23, 2011 : 7:27 p.m.
crickets ?
Peanut Farmer From Georgia
Sat, Jul 23, 2011 : 6:37 p.m.
Yes, Teapublicans are to blame. Boy do I miss the answers provided during the late 70's. Guess I'll get busy building them some homes. Care to help, Dave?
EyeHeartA2
Sat, Jul 23, 2011 : 4:30 p.m.
I'm sure David leads by example. Right, David?
Cold
Sat, Jul 23, 2011 : 4:22 p.m.
how many homeless does Michael Moore house at his torch lake mansion? do as I say not as I do, right commie.