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No Place to Call Home: Families
Last week I spoke with a dad who said he was pulling his 10 year-old son out of school, at least temporarily. He and his wife have both been unemployed for months and, when I spoke with them, the family had just maxed out their time at a local shelter. They weren't sure where they were going to sleep that night and were considering camping. The man who spoke with me said he'd rather take his son out of school than send him to class without a shower or clean clothes to wear.
In this first episode of our new series about homelessness, No Place to Call Home, we'll explore the lives of homeless families. Oregon has the highest rate of homelessness in the country and recent statistics show a spike in homeless families and school-aged children without a steady place to live. The western Oregon town of Falls City had the highest rate — 36 percent — of homelessness among students.
Homeless families have been called the "hidden homeless." You might not see them sleeping on the street or asking for change at intersections because often they stay with relatives, squeeze into motel rooms or find shelters that cater specifically to parents and kids. The challenges and risks for homeless families can quickly become very complicated.
Federal law states that homeless children must have access to education. Parents who have lost jobs and homes face the uphill battle of finding employment in a down economy coupled with a strong incentive to keep their kids' routine as consistent as possible. Schools offer assistance for parents who may not have time to help kids with their homework or extracurricular activities.
Have you ever faced these kinds of choices as a parent? Has your family ever lost a home? How did it affect you? Do you work with homeless families?
Our No Place to Call Home series will address many different aspects of homelessness. So, if the issues facing families don't resonate with you, please tell us about your experience with rural homelessness, homeless youth, chronic homelessness or tent cities.
Tagged as: family services · homeless · noplace · school
Photo credit: David Gallagher / Creative Commons
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I empathize with your concerns over poorly crafted public policy, however, if it is done correctly universal healthcare will provide more economic security, not less. Keep in mind that a final national healthcare bill is far from complete. Even recently, Max Baccus has revised his version of the bill to alllow for more subsidies for middle income people.
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That's very interesting. What is the reason we have the highest rate? There are places with milder climates, could it be a cultural factor where we are perceived as either sympathetic to homeless people, or unsympathetic to our neighbors which more often results in homelessness when hard times hit?
Perhaps it is public policy, I understand that Portland has a goal of eliminating homelessness. Logically, that has to mean more access to services and maybe the word is getting around and attracting more homeless here.
From a moral perspective, we are doing a disservice to our society by allowing some of it's members to become so desperate that their basic needs are no longer being met. That means there is a greater possiblity that any of us or someone we know might end up in the same situation.
From an economic perspective, we have a subset of people who are not maximizing their potential in the workforce and have no purchasing power. Additionally, they are a drain when they receive subsidized services or recieve personal donations from passersby. Logically, it would make more long-term sense to provide them with the education or, in the case of the mentally ill, the psychiatric care they need in order to contribute to society.
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I don't know about the current increase in homelessness do to the recession, but certainly people are homeless in Oregon in general not entirely because of economic issues. There is a culture in Oregon, I suppose the hippie culture, mixed with the grunge of the '90s, mixed with the hipsters of the '00s, that makes homelessness in Oregon quite popular.
There is a foolish lack of objectivity, sparked by good intentions, that sees everything in Oregon that is 'rich' as evil, and anything 'poor' as saintly. It is as if people were given some basic ideas in ethics and they ran with them, thinking they fit every case and everything is black and white. Oregonians have fallen in love with victimization; it is us against the big bad corporate world. You have to like that (in some ways) about the place, because, well anger often brings us together, makes us feel collectively subversive. But eventually you become your own worst enemy----cleaning up messes you invited in the door.
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regarding the comment "maybe the word is getting around and attracting more homeless here." I agree, why are people from Texas, California, etc coming to Bend's homeless shelters? Why don't they seek refuge in the resources from their own home town? why don't they get involved to make policy changes in their own home towm?
"or recieve personal donations from passersby. " How can we educate the people giving monetarily to individuals on the streets that it would be more beneficial to give to the shelters or other resources in the community who help people in need " help the people who actually want to improve their situation"
"Logically, it would make more long-term sense to provide them with the education or, in the case of the mentally ill, the psychiatric care they need in order to contribute to society." These are the things we need to make sure are part of our state, regional, and rule 10yr plans to end homelessness and other policies within this one to make it work.
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Commenting on the family that is pulling their son from school because they have over stayed their limit at the shelter. This is an outrage and needs to be addressed as a policy error! My family came from a homeless shelter and we were afraid we would over stay our limit but we were following the rules and doing what was asked of us and stayed 6 mths until we got into a 2 yr transitional housing program. We saw many families come and go from the shelter and most of the families that were asked to leave were those who would not comply with the rules. There are over 350 counties with a "10yr plan to end homelessness" - I know because I am on a working committee to establish a regional 10yr plan. There ar FAN advocates who are liasons for the homeless, there's the Mickinney Vento Act - there are resources and advocates to prevent homelessness. Have the resources/facts of this story been validated/checked out? and if so then who will follow up as an advocate for this family?
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talking to a FAN advocate is very confidential, and it's a shame as a parent not to seek out ALL the resources we have available to help prevent homelessness or to help us even if we find ourselves homeless. As a parent he should provide for his child no matter how uncomfortable it is!!
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I think people in need should know that in our community there is at least 40 agencies represented each month at the HLC-Homeless Leadership Coalition, who have no judgement but love and care to help us rise above
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here are some links in Central Oregon that are helping us in need
http://www.bethleheminn.org/pin/
http://weneedconnection.com/ for a new way of life, change your thinking, change your life, for a peace center near you click on this link http://www.pcoco.org/
http://www.oregonhousingworks.org/
http://www.oregonhousingworks.org/PressItem/315/ a ready to rent class to help you get a second chance.
http://www.neighborimpact.org/
I challange all of us regardless of class, income, joblessness, or homelessness to become educated of the resources in our home town so that you can really lend a hand or give to those in need by educating them and getting them in touch with resources to help them survive or prevent them from becoming homeless. I challange those of us who are jobless to find a passion and volunteer, get involved to help out, build your resume, and get noticed-it's who you know or who knows you!
http://projectconnectco.org/ this is a one day event that provides free services such as a dentist-getting teeth pulled, seeing a Dr., Chiro, Vision, hair cut, clothes, neals, shelter, etc ALL for free. This is the 3rd year for Project Connect in Central Oregon. This website has hours and hours of information to educate yourself, to find resources, and to get involved.
here's a link about ending homelessness in oregon
Let's get out of our comfort zones and get involved, let's really know what it means to give a Hand Up and not a Hand Out.
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Hi my name is Heather and my husband was on today talking on the show and I just want to clerify some stuff. We did follow the rules of the shelter. Our son is enrolled in school and unfortunatlely has missed 2 days of school this year. And last year missed no days of school he gets straight A's. His teachers and the school are awear that we are in a family shelter. Actually our son is being tested for TAG. We have done everything plus more that the shelters have asked us to do unfortunately we have not found work. I would have had 4 jobs but i dont have my drivers license. we are out there everyday looking for work. Unfortunately only one of us could go one the show today. Us being homeless has effected all of us. It is a great amount of stress. they asked Daniel today if Ty tells people that we are homeless. The answer to that is no he told the kids on the bus that the shelter he got droped off at after school was where his parents worked. But I do wonder if you have children yourself and would you send your 5th grader to school when he/she has not had a shower in over a week and doesnt have clean clothes. I have read some of the comments on this page and some of the adults are not very kind and understanding about people being homeless so how do you think kids would be toward a child who is dirty and homeless! I never thought we would be homeless. This is the first time in my life I havent worked. I had held the same job for 8 years.
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I was homeless when I was a teenage runaway: I slept in parking garages, one night motels, and at friends apartments.
I was 16, and it lasted for about one summer.
This was during the 80's in Portland.
It turned around for me when a friend moved out of her apt and I took over paying the rent. At that point I had a part time job as a dishwasher (maybe getting $5 an hour?), and was later able to find two more part time jobs, and eventually stopped identifying as 'less than'.
This was a time when jobs were in abundance, rent was cheap, I was single and willing to take less than ideal jobs to make any kind of money to stay in my own place.
I came to realize 'home' is very important, and like one of your guests had said, opening your own door is a vital part of independence.
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Hawaii has been dealing with the hidden homeless problem since the early 1980s. Families and individuals in Hawaii face low wages and a high cost of living, leading to a scarcity of jobs that pay a living wage. To survive there, multiple families will pool their resources and share a rental home. It is not uncommon to find three families with children living in a three bedroom, two bathroom rental home. These families are not on public assistance, and all the adults in the family work. But that's what families in Hawaii do to survive. Hawaii has even gone so far as to create an "Ohana" zoning variance which allows for multiple extended families to live on a property zoned for single family use.
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I am really impressed by the resilience of your guests. I hear the pain in their voices, and even shame in some, and my heart just goes out to them. These are people that did what they were supposed to, work hard, and that, due to unfortunate events, became homeless. They became homeless through no fault of their own. They have no reason to feel any shame - this could have happened to lots of people.
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not every body on this panel is doing what they're suppose to, some don't want to work at all, some allow their significant other to buy drugs and then complain about it later, and some just complain complain and NEVER make a decision on their own to make a wise choice-they're forced and nagged until they don't have any other option but to take care of their family or be alienated. What's missing here is the success stories from homelessness.
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I just read a book review in Scientific American mag about "The Age of Empathy: Nature's Lessons for a Kinder Society" by Frans de Waal. It's about how our current "red in tooth and claw" attitudes are proved wrong by how so many animals actually cooperate and help each other.
I'll read the book, but it is immediately obvious to me that we humans need to change our attitudes about how we treat each other. "red in tooth and claw" is outdated and needs to be thrown out.
Many animals practice what the great teacher Jesus taught in "even as you treat the least of these...". Isn't it time that we humans at least rise to the level of the animals which cooperate and take care of their fellows?
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Definitely. But, it only goes so far. Some people don't want to be taken care of!
Animals as much as they take care of each other, also often eat each other, and realistically don't exactly represent an empathetic group. I am sure the book will make the claim how animals work in unison to accomplish many tasks, that are generally for the collective good of their survival, but what about the ones that don't?
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Scottmil, the author acknowledges both sides. It is only a short three paragraph review. The point is that our businesses and politics are based on "red in tooth and claw" and there is evidence in nature that there is another side to nature that is not "red in tooth and claw".
And you're right that some don't want care, but at least we can offer it.
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Listening to the fellow who praised and gave all credit to God and at the same time praised himself for trying harder, I get the idea that God must not like all the rest of the people who are still suffering. Or maybe they are just lazy and not trying hard enough. His good fortune was brought by something else that he was reluctant to name or describe.
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I agree Carl- First you have to make the choice to do something, make a change, better your life and take action on that, stay focused, keep your chin up and your hope alive and not sit still!!
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David Miller--Your comment to one of the women, "Do you have the right to be picky", regarding her comment about being a little choosy regarding choices of long-term living situations was condescending and extrmemely judgemental. If you have not been in a homeless situation yourself, particulatly one in which you have small children with you, you have no right to judge another person's preferences. I cannot imagine that you, yourself, would choose to live, with your spouse and children in a three bedroom house with three other families, where your family only got one bedroom (as was the example where your comment came up.
Homelessness is so stressful, and so daunting. The adults in that situation are continually living so close to their own emotional limits, that if they say that there is a living situation that would not work for them, then you need to respect their own wisdom that maybe they are right, even if you cannot see it yourself. For someone to insist that you don't have the right to choose your living situation--meaning that you must choose the first thing that comes along, whether or not it is a good and healthy choice for both you and your child--is both insulting and demeaning. You do not and cannot know what is the best choice for someone else if you are not intimately involved in their situation.
I have been homeless on two occasions. Once when my son was 1 1/2 years old (for 8 months), and once when he was 4 years old (for 6 months). On both occasions we stayed with friends. We are now in a house.
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I agree with David, and think you are being judgement of David "I cannot imagine that you, yourself, would choose to live, with your spouse and children in a three bedroom house with three other families, where your family only got one bedroom (as was the example where your comment came up."
It's the choices we make that get us where we are. Some don't want to live in Shelters because of the rules, cleaning their rooms daily, leaving daily to look for work or a place to live, not being able to drink or do their drug of choice and don't take responsibility for their own actions and don't want to work or take care of their family they want others to take care of them.
There are plenty of volunteer opportunities no matter where you live, if you can't find a job then volunteer; get experience, get noticed and get involved. What can you do to help others in need, give back. It's not what you know anymore it's who you know and if you are going to sit around and be selfish and not help out then you won't find the break you're looking for.
Not only are you your worst enemy but your best advocate and if you are not parent enough to ask for help for the sake of your child because you don't want everyone to know you are homeless then why are you on a radio show talking about it?
why aren't you talking with EVERY resource available for the sake of your child? choices! Who's going to be brave enough to make the choices to make a better life for your family?
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Darlene,
Thanks very much for your comment. I'm sorry that I came off as condescending, or judgmental. By way of clarification, what I asked was "Can you afford to be picky" — not "Do you have the right to be picky."
I was trying to get at Sharon's priorities at this difficult point in her life.
But I'm sorry if I sounded harsh.
Dave
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My main question is -- How can I help? I know that I cannot help with everything for everyone, but if I join in with a lot of people ... addressing the problem on family at a time...? One less and one at a time small steps and all that.
I have one pregant kid (18) and her child (1) who I have been mentoring through an at risk teen program. She is now "on the street" after pushing her parents to the breaking point. She has been on the street for only a few weeks and I fear for her and the baby's safety.
I am not her only resource, and have my limits as to what I can offer her. I cannot give her a place to stay, but I can offer her temporary childcare one or two days for a few weeks so she can back into school.
As a temporary measure I got her a pay as you go phone with text only, so she can stay safe and in touch. I got her a grocery store giftcard so she can get food and diapers and things for the baby not covered by WIC, which is currently her only "income". I got her some bus tickets, so she can get herself and her child to the doctor and school. Short of allowing her to become my depandant, I am wondering what I is the best way I can help her? So far I have just thrown money at the problem with out direction. Money is a limited resource for me, so there is not much more available to give on that front.
I need some guidence as to what kind of help she needs the most. I think a lot of people are running away in fear of the homeless because they need so much and it is more than they can offer. If there was a way to prioritize what she needs and give a what I can as part of what she needs perhaps I can help effectivly as part of a community effort, but I am a little lost as to what is most needed when it all seems so desperate.
Thanks
CM
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thank you for caring and getting invovled. I don't know what town you are in but here is a link to a teen homeless shelter that has done wonders for getting our kids of our streets http://www.jbarj.org/CYFC/cyfc.html Hopefully it will be a starting point to find resources in your area. I have also posted many other links of resources in our area that hopefully can also lead you in a direction for something similar in your area.
Knowledge is Power. Let's empower ourselves and supply knowledge to our community and our members in need.
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Everyone else can "double up", move in with relatives to avoid ending up on the street. Except for people whose relatives live in Portland's subsidized housing or Section 8. Because for some unknown and utterly counterproductive reason, Portland does not allow even homeless relatives, to move in with a subsidized housing renter. I understand it isn't that way everywhere, just places like Portland who have apparently not got their act together. Seems obvious, look at the high numbers of homeless here- it would make sense that the housing authority doesn't have things straightened out, so is part of the big problem. The housing authority of portland should be investigated to see how they are contributing to the problem, i am sure they would find things.
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I do wonder if you have children yourself and would you send your 5th grader to school when he/she has not had a shower in over a week and doesnt have clean clothes.
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Nudity is highly linked to sexuality because of messages we have received from popular media. This discussion cannot be had without at least mentioning the powerful wenz shop messages that loosely regulated movies, sitcoms, magazines, and music give to our bodies. But in this article the main problem is homelessness and the question is how to fight with it and help people to live better.
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What can you do to help others in need, give back. It's not what you know anymore it's who wholesale jewelry know and if you are going to sit around and be selfish and not help out then wholesale fashion jewelry won't find the break you're looking for.
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Comments are now closed.
As I mentioned in a contribution to Monday's segment on "Jobless Recovery" I believe that homelessness will increase due to the additional incredibly burdensome financial demand currently being developed by our elected officials to require everyone to purchase health insurance, using up to 13 percent of their income before any subsidy will kick in. This issue of mandatory "compulsory" purchase of health insurance is only now coming to the attention of the national media. If you are homeless or about to become so because your income (or NO income) will not stretch enough to pay rent or if you are trying to find a place to rent to change your homeless status and are trying to scrape together the first, last and deposit required by landlords (if you can even find a landlord to rent to you if you are unemployed) - you won't have any money left over e.g., up to 13 percent of your income REQUIRED under the current plans before Congress, to pay for such compulsory health insurance. Do you know what the penalties will be? FINES, tied to your filing your income tax return. I can't think of a better way devised to keep people homeless than to force them under penalty of going to prison for inability to pay federal income taxes added to by FINES for not buying health insurance - thereby forcing them to make a choice between homelessness and buying health insurance.
An utterly terrifying prospect!
As a corollary I can only imagine how many more household pets are going to be surrendered to shelters or abandoned as homlessness increases for whatever reason and if this "up to 13 percent of your income" mandatory health insurance purchase forces more homelessness then just think about the increase in pet homelessness too.