Comments on: Homelessness: It can happen to anyone http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2008/02/19/homelessness-it-can-happen-to-anyone/ The voice of Clarksville, Tennessee Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:33:04 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Bill Larson http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2008/02/19/homelessness-it-can-happen-to-anyone/comment-page-1/#comment-6180 Bill Larson Sun, 02 Mar 2008 17:03:19 +0000 http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2008/02/19/homelessness-it-can-happen-to-anyone/#comment-6180 Semantics, the intent was there. Your message reaks of: if they didn't want to be homeless they wouldn't be, and that isn't the case. Many hard working people in this city live one life changing event away from homelessness. For every person like you reference who wish to be homless there are 100 who don't. So called compassionate conservatism (a misnomer) has put many out on the street. Semantics, the intent was there. Your message reaks of: if they didn’t want to be homeless they wouldn’t be, and that isn’t the case. Many hard working people in this city live one life changing event away from homelessness. For every person like you reference who wish to be homless there are 100 who don’t. So called compassionate conservatism (a misnomer) has put many out on the street.

]]> By: Scott Beasley http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2008/02/19/homelessness-it-can-happen-to-anyone/comment-page-1/#comment-6141 Scott Beasley Sun, 02 Mar 2008 00:03:17 +0000 http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2008/02/19/homelessness-it-can-happen-to-anyone/#comment-6141 Bill that's why I used the word "some" not "all" in my description. To ignore the facts is irresponsible. Bill that’s why I used the word “some” not “all” in my description. To ignore the facts is irresponsible.

]]> By: Bill Larson http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2008/02/19/homelessness-it-can-happen-to-anyone/comment-page-1/#comment-6074 Bill Larson Mon, 25 Feb 2008 04:28:47 +0000 http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2008/02/19/homelessness-it-can-happen-to-anyone/#comment-6074 To paint all homeless with the brush you did is unconscionable. To paint all homeless with the brush you did is unconscionable.

]]> By: Scott Beasley http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2008/02/19/homelessness-it-can-happen-to-anyone/comment-page-1/#comment-6067 Scott Beasley Sun, 24 Feb 2008 22:01:39 +0000 http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2008/02/19/homelessness-it-can-happen-to-anyone/#comment-6067 "Yes, mental health is sometimes a factor, as is substance abuse. But more often, the high cost of living is what puts families on the street and in shelters." I have looked into the "causes" of homelessness and I see a pattern. The cost of living increases regularly, but factor in the distraction of family conflict, mental or physical illness and substance abuse, and one can quickly see how these circumstances can deplete or strain an already tight budget. We must accept the fact that some people actually prefer to stay homeless and beg for money. I am reminded of the Robertson county fair when I was a teenager and went up to Nashville to a homeless shelter to hire some people to work the fair. We offered the $5 an hour, food and a place to sleep for a week and NOT ONE of them took us up on the offer. One guys even laughed saying he could make more than that begging on the street. There are people who need help, but there are also people who refuse help and are content to stay where they are. Its hard to be sympathetic when one sees this type of behavior and its sad because it creates skepticism against those who truly need help. “Yes, mental health is sometimes a factor, as is substance abuse. But more often, the high cost of living is what puts families on the street and in shelters.”

I have looked into the “causes” of homelessness and I see a pattern. The cost of living increases regularly, but factor in the distraction of family conflict, mental or physical illness and substance abuse, and one can quickly see how these circumstances can deplete or strain an already tight budget. We must accept the fact that some people actually prefer to stay homeless and beg for money. I am reminded of the Robertson county fair when I was a teenager and went up to Nashville to a homeless shelter to hire some people to work the fair. We offered the $5 an hour, food and a place to sleep for a week and NOT ONE of them took us up on the offer. One guys even laughed saying he could make more than that begging on the street. There are people who need help, but there are also people who refuse help and are content to stay where they are. Its hard to be sympathetic when one sees this type of behavior and its sad because it creates skepticism against those who truly need help.

]]> By: Christine Anne Piesyk http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2008/02/19/homelessness-it-can-happen-to-anyone/comment-page-1/#comment-6008 Christine Anne Piesyk Tue, 19 Feb 2008 04:57:18 +0000 http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2008/02/19/homelessness-it-can-happen-to-anyone/#comment-6008 At one point, post corporate media and pre-Clarksville Online, I worked with several organizations including a New England agency with a division that served a large number of people [individuals and families] affected by homelessness. In that eight year period, I also served on a municipal commission to address the issue of homelessness in our city and county and propose solutions to some of the factors underlying homelessness. The high cost of housing, utilities, and other expenses all contributed to homelessness for individuals and families; our assessment included notes that a living wage, affordable housing, transportation, health care, education/job training and child care were all factors in homelessness for many people. Yes, mental health is sometimes a factor, as is substance abuse. But more often, the high cost of living is what puts families on the street and in shelters. Minimum wage will not support a family (maybe in Clarksville but not in most other parts of the country). Even a living wage of $10 an hour won't cut it for a family of four these days. The cost of living in the Clarksville area is lower than in many other parts of the country, but the wages paid in this area are equally low and often without benefits. One of the best investments the government can make is to maximize educational opportunities (including trades), not just college studies)and create a talented workforce, and i8nbvest in the kinds of jobs that not only require a set of skills but will pay a living wage for those skills. There is no easy or simple answer, and the only way to impact homelessness is to start chipping away at the underlying issues. At one point, post corporate media and pre-Clarksville Online, I worked with several organizations including a New England agency with a division that served a large number of people [individuals and families] affected by homelessness. In that eight year period, I also served on a municipal commission to address the issue of homelessness in our city and county and propose solutions to some of the factors underlying homelessness. The high cost of housing, utilities, and other expenses all contributed to homelessness for individuals and families; our assessment included notes that a living wage, affordable housing, transportation, health care, education/job training and child care were all factors in homelessness for many people. Yes, mental health is sometimes a factor, as is substance abuse. But more often, the high cost of living is what puts families on the street and in shelters. Minimum wage will not support a family (maybe in Clarksville but not in most other parts of the country). Even a living wage of $10 an hour won’t cut it for a family of four these days. The cost of living in the Clarksville area is lower than in many other parts of the country, but the wages paid in this area are equally low and often without benefits. One of the best investments the government can make is to maximize educational opportunities (including trades), not just college studies)and create a talented workforce, and i8nbvest in the kinds of jobs that not only require a set of skills but will pay a living wage for those skills. There is no easy or simple answer, and the only way to impact homelessness is to start chipping away at the underlying issues.

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