You might see them while driving to work, walking your dog in the park, or at an intersection with a wrinkled help-seeking sign. They are homeless and sometimes do not even have a place to stay overnight.
In any 12 months, more than 500,000 people are homeless in the United States, and nearly 200,000 of them are without shelter on any given night.
“I think COVID-19 has made people more aware of homelessness,” said Steve Berg, vice president of programs and policy for the National Alliance to End Homelessness in Washington, D.C. “During the pandemic, when everyone is being told to stay home, people become acutely aware of those who can’t stay home because they don’t have a place to live.”
How does a person go from working and having a place to call home to living on the streets? This isn’t always easy to tell. In some cases, bad decisions can have repercussions. But more often than not, the environment has a life of its own.
“People are often quick to frame personal decisions as issues related to homelessness and structural issues,” said Carolina Reid, associate professor of urban and regional planning at the University of California, Berkeley, and research advisor to the Terner Center for Housing. reasons. She said these structural issues include low wages, a lack of affordable housing, a lack of employment opportunities and entrenched patterns of racism that are woven into our society and its infrastructure, among other things. Questions include:
But knowing how to treat people on the street in a compassionate way isn’t always easy. You may want to help but find it difficult to reach out directly to people you don’t know. It’s true that rates of mental illness and substance abuse are higher among homeless people. This can also make things more difficult. However, experts say there are steps you can take to help in a compassionate way:
First admit they are human beings: “Homeless” is a term coined by many experts. It may seem like a small thing, but it recognizes that these are human beings first. Homelessness is just a description of their situation. You can also use other phrases, such as “people without shelter” or “neighbors in need.”
Understand the root cause: It’s easy to think that homeless people end up on the streets because of bad decisions. But the reality may be more complex. Many people may find themselves without shelter due to issues beyond their control.
“Everyone makes bad choices, but those of us with strong networks can often bounce back,” Reed said. Understanding the many reasons someone might not have a place to sleep at night can be a good first step in making changes. You can learn more about the root causes of homelessness at advocacy groups like the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
Donation time: Find organizations in your area that are serving those in need—whether faith-based or secular nonprofits.
“These organizations rely heavily on donations, whether it’s time or money, and they’ve all been stressed by the pandemic,” Berg said. Since the pandemic, many shelters have been limited in their actual missions, such as providing food. Find out if you can help virtually. Small tasks such as helping with mail, phone calls, social media, and even making hygiene products are other ways to lend a hand.
Donate: Donations to homeless services organizations can provide everything from a hot meal or shower to services such as drug and alcohol counseling and job training. Nonprofits also make donating easier. Many offer the option to donate online or set up automatic monthly or quarterly donations.
Donate items: The shelter is in need of canned food, used clothing and personal care items like soap, deodorant and feminine products. “These organizations need donations, but they need support year-round, not just during the holidays,” said Tracy Porter, founder of Brotherhood of God Global Ministries in Pasadena, California. Porter was once homeless and now works to help people in the same community.
Porter said for people living on the streets, blankets and coats can be helpful as nighttime temperatures drop. And don’t forget the little people. Sadly, young people make up a large portion of those without shelter. Consider donating backpacks and baby supplies. Many organizations post their needs lists online, or you can call to check them out.
Call the mayor: The Mayor’s Office is accustomed to hearing from concerned citizens on a variety of topics. If homelessness is a big deal to you, don’t hesitate to reach out. Ask them to promote ideas that are proven to make a difference. Visit your mayor’s office website to learn about plans for your area.
become friends: If you feel safe and feel comfortable, consider talking to homeless people you meet. Ask them what they need – food, money, water. It’s possible that money could be used to buy drugs or alcohol, but the risk may not be as high as you think. In one study, those who received cash moved into housing faster and spent most of the money on food, medicine and personal care items.
Call an expert: Some cities argue that law enforcement is not always the best response to homeless people — especially those with mental illness. The police focus on fighting crime, homelessness is not a crime. Find out if there are phone numbers for mental health professionals in your city who can respond if you see someone who needs help. You can also try local advocacy groups that have experience helping people who lack shelter. They may be able to point you to more resources.
Thinking about raising a child: Children in foster care are more likely to be homeless. Some are outdated and not supported. Others continue to struggle with issues that stand in the way of a stable life. Becoming a foster parent can break this cycle.
Write to your member of Congress: Homelessness is a huge problem, which means significant spending is likely to be needed to address it. Consider contacting your local member of Congress at www.house.gov to find out who is responsible for homelessness-related bills and expenses and do what you can to support them.
be patient: Experts like Reed advise us to have patience and empathy with the system. “This problem is decades in the making and it’s not going to change overnight,” she said. Nonprofits are on the front lines, and there are things you can do too.
