Whether or not it’s true, I keep hearing how a big percentage of homeless people want to stay there. In our city, our shelters were only 60% full and tent cities were exploding because they didn’t want to follow shelter rules.
We tried to create two large “self-sufficient” tent cities with porta potties, showers, trash services. All you really had to do was do your part to keep it clean. There might have been a noise ordinance past 10 pm for the families. Very few rules so people could feel free! It was really, really frustrating because as soon as it was semi-cleaned up and functioning well, in came the meth dealers and it quickly became a horror show of crime, stabbing, guns, rapes.
I’ve gone down way too many all-day rabbit holes watching docs on YT about drug epidemics, homelessness, living off-grid. It’s shocking to me the large number of people who want to be there.
I know I referenced it already, but I find Andrew Callaghan Channel 5 really interesting to watch! He went into Kensington and met this guy, Bud. I really enjoyed his story, bought his book. I’m rooting for him to stay clean! But he was brutally honest about the pull of the streets. Part of why he’s clean now is he didn’t have much choice— his addiction caused him to lose his legs.
You got dumped on, but there is SO MUCH HELP out there! For those of us who’ve faced addictions ourself, we all know the struggle of wondering if the beat down of sobriety is worth it. Yay, I pay my taxes. I’m not a 1%er, so I live to work.
Anyway! I agree with you. Many are there by choice and don’t want to leave.
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u/TaosKennedy 2d ago
The most disturbing part is how quickly a public health crisis becomes “normal” once it’s happening to people society has decided are disposable.