MetaFilter posts tagged with poverty and homeless

People are not where they live, or where they sleep

l33tpolicywonk — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:14:37 -0800

Becky Blanton spent a year in her van grieving her dead father. Even with a full-time job and a writing career, a depression quickly set in which made Blanton feel like a homeless person. How do we define homelessness? The vast majority of homelessness is still linked to poverty, lack of affordable housing and eroding work opportunities. An opposing view: Apartments aren't worth the money in grad school.

"Homes not Handcuffs"

lunit — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:58:05 -0800

The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty has released a list of the 10 meanest cities in relation to criminalizing homeless. Full report (pdf) available here. Types of Criminalization Measures measured in the report: • Enactment and enforcement of legislation that makes it illegal to sleep, sit, or store personal belongings in public spaces in cities where people are forced to live in public spaces. • Selective enforcement of more neutral laws, such as loitering, jaywalking, or open container laws, against homeless persons. • Sweeps of city areas in which homeless persons are living to drive them out of those areas, frequently resulting in the destruction of individuals’ personal property such as important personal documents and medication. • Enactment and enforcement of laws that punish people for begging or panhandling in order to move poor or homeless persons out of a city or downtown area. • Enactment and enforcement of laws that restrict groups sharing food with homeless persons in public spaces. • Enforcement of a wide range of so-called “quality of life” ordinances related to public activities and hygiene (i.e. public urination) when no public facilities are available to people without housing.

Double Nickelled & Dimed

Rumple — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 14:13:20 -0800

"In a test of the American Dream, Adam Shepard started life from scratch with the clothes on his back and twenty-five dollars. Ten months later, he had an apartment, a car, and a small savings." Introduction to the book which arose from his "journey", which was inspired by Barbara Ehrenreich. A comment from a homelessness blog, and a timely counterpoint video from al Jazeera. Why are people homeless (PDF)? Shephard can be hired as a public speaker if you would like to know more about this research. Also, an audio interview with Ehrenreich and the first chapter of her book.

Christmas Presents for New Orleans

msconduct — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:42:06 -0800

Bulldozers for the Poor: despite being the brainchild of the chief of police, tent city, home to approximately 500 of the city's roughly 12,000 homeless, is slated to be disbanded to make room for state office buildings and a national jazz park. this comes at the same time hud is readying to demolish four housing projects, where many of the tent city residents hoped to return. meanwhile, residents of one of the swankiest neighborhoods in town are successfully protesting and receiving tax breaks.

It takes a village

caddis — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 07:27:12 -0800

A State Street Family Album - State Street in Madison, Wisconsin is a half mile link between the Capitol dome and the campus of the University of Wisconsin. Tree lined, traffic restricted, shops of all manner, State Street represents an almost picture postcard ideal. It is also home to the Family. In the 30's they might have ridden the rails, now they are hanging out in the Peace Park. Glenn Austin has documented their community.

street soccer and we are homeless, homeless

kliuless — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 20:42:56 -0800

The Homeless World Cup: "Yes, there is a World Cup for homeless people, made possible with help from corporate sponsors such as Nike, Adidas, Coca-Cola and Bank of America."

The Benefit Bank

robliberal — Sat, 13 Aug 2005 09:50:47 -0800

The Benefit Bank is a project which uses technology to improve the lives of low income Americans. Through the use of software and trained volunteers the program allows the needy to fill out one application which can be generated to receive assistance from a wide range of public and private resources. During stops in the South this week the Congressional Black Caucus Institute and National Council Of Churches sought volunteers and partners to help expand the program. The program has so far been opened in 48 sites in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Kansas including ACORN Housing, Jewish Employment and Vocational Service, and Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry.

IHateMyLife.Us

PrinceValium — Sun, 07 Sep 2003 00:07:29 -0800

IHateMyLife.Us. Homeless advocacy and support, from someone who's been there.

Beer for the Homeless

mkelley — Fri, 23 May 2003 14:53:26 -0800

From crematorium scandals to pimp suits and Ben Curtis in between, the Chattanooga area has it all. Enter our latest wonder: Beer for the Homeless.com. Created by a local Talk Radio DJ or two, the site is a serious attempt (ok, it's kinda tongue-in-cheek) to stop homeless citizens from hassling people for beer money. Well, they made their first delivery last week and have some photos and quote from their "clients".

mmarcos — Tue, 18 Dec 2001 02:50:55 -0800

A flood of homeless at city shelters. '"I think that there must be a greater segment of our population that has tenuous connections to family and friends, and therefore has fewer resources to fall back on when something very bad happens like when they lose their job," he said.' How can there be so many people, who have no one to count on? Are we getting some serious payback from the nuclear family society?