Homeless people

Sunday morning at Hyperion Brewery in Jacksonville, FL our church hosted a panel discussing the topic of Everyday Advocacy. Good turnout of 75 or so many of whom I did not know. Five panelists who had experience with homelessness everyday. Three of them had been homeless at one time. As one of them said, each one of us is only one bad day away from being on the street. There were many questions from the crowd. What about shelters? There is space in shelters so why don't more people take advantage of them? One panelist told us that shelters are not safe at least as perceived by the homeless. Their stuff gets stolen and sometimes they get beat up. There is paperwork, showers, shaving, and their clothes are irradiated to prevent bedbugs. Often on the street they sleep in pods taking turns keeping an eye out for trouble. Or they don't sleep whether they are at a shelter or on the street. Maybe that's why I see people napping in the public library or against a wall on the street.

The panelists talked about the difference between charity and advocacy. Both are needed but too often the charity givers are interested in giving what they want to give and not always what is needed. Don't we give because it makes us feel good. Yes, to that one. And I had not thought about the fact that there is a vested interest in keeping shelters going rather than ending homelessness. People will give to shelters. Politicians support shelters. They get money and provide jobs. Shelters perpetuate the problem if they are seen as a solution to it.

There is a new development planned for the river bank in the city, hotels, restaurants, entertainment facilities. We heard the development potentially will displace thousands of people who currently reside in the development area. With an affordable housing shortage as it is, where will those displaced people be going? Good question but who will be assigned to answer it, will anyone?

Homelessness is a problem in our city we are continually reminded. I take a trip downtown to the park near the library and there are lots of people hanging out. I stand by the library doors with over one hundred people waiting to get into a safe, air conditioned place off the street. While waiting for the doors to open I hear shreds of conversation. One man is worried about the new administration's policies about ending the program that has allowed Haitians to remain in the US since a hurricane displaced them. He is Haitian. Every one is polite and holds the doors open for others waiting for them to enter. They carry black trash bags with their stuff. I can see some food in one or two clear bags. They are there for the day. Inside people find their places. Surprisingly many are already reading books when I get in. Surprising? Do homeless people read too?

Yes, and they can converse and they care about their families and they face everyday problems just like me. They have to eat and stay hydrated in the Florida heat. They are not just in the library to hang out. They like to read, play chess, do art projects and talk to the staff and each other. One woman who goes to the church without walls, a church of the homeless in the city, talked about getting to know people on the street. Talk, touch, share a meal or coffee. Go to church in the parking lot downtown and sing, pray, hear the sermon and celebrate at the Lord's Table together. The homeless are not a problem, they are people.