Do you see homeless people where you live?
By whiteheron
@whiteheron (4222)
United States
March 31, 2009 12:14pm CST
A friend took me to downtown Los Angeles, California at night and I saw something that I had not seen before... a whole lot of people living on the street, sleeping in their sleeping bags. Some had tents. some used packing boxes and others just slept out in the open.
The City has renewed much of its downtown section making it alluring to wealthy people but there are these pockets of land which have not been revitalized and which are havens for the homeless who often receive food and other services at the local church sponsored missions. Luckily, the City has made it illegal to jail people for being homeless and on the street so law enforcements leaves them alone. There was a time when that was not the case.
It is sad to see so many people living on the streets. It is a shame.
I am wonder if where you live there are a lot of homeless people and if there are, like in this city, places where there are also a lot of very wealthy people? What effort does your City, Town, Country make to reduce to the numbers of homeless people?
8 people like this
26 responses
@karbuks (270)
• Philippines
1 Apr 09
Since I belong to the third world country, the situation you mentioned above is not new to me. Almost everyday, i see people living in the streets. Living in a sense that they make the streets their home where they sleep and eat. They usually brought their own cardboard so they can sleep where they want. That is for the lucky people who have cardboard. Others just sleep on the street without even bothering the people that are passing. What do you think is the reason why people are homeless? It's sad to think about this people where they strive hard to survive and would you believe that others find life in the garbage's? we'll there are many government and non-government organizations here that focuses among the oppress, unfortunate and deprived people where they seem to belong to the poorest of the poor but still, there are a number of them. So i think it is somehow a challenge to every person on how to make a difference especially here in our country.
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
1 Apr 09
I think that your challenge to make a difference is a noble one... I am hoping that the average citizens of all nations do something to assist the homeless and those who do not have enough food.
@heesaf (738)
• India
1 Apr 09
Well its the same story everywhere friend.I am from India and here we find lots of people who are homeless..although government is trying to reduce it by offering free houses and so on..but still if we go outside at night we find lots of people sleeping by road site...Its pretty sad to see all these things..
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
1 Apr 09
It is sad indeed. I am glad that government is attempting to help the situation.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
1 Apr 09
Oh man yup we have them. news say that we get around 1,000 a month.
THey are every where ,where ever there is and empty lost and alot stay in the parks!
Where I go to buy Cigs the whole street is lined up yup some with tents, some with just thier grocery carts.
what they are full of I dont know!.And they dont just stay close to the places that hand out food for them they are all over the town.
Its a mess.
and with work the way it is just no where for them to work at.
I dont know what the city does for them how do you help out over 6,000 homeless.
and where ever you go there is a person asking for money! Some says they will clean your car windows for ya. they are usually in parking lots of teh grocery store and wal mart and kamrt any where there is alot of cars.
1 person likes this
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
2 Apr 09
How long has this been occuring? Where are they coming from? Are they people who have lost their homes due to the mortgage crisis, job losses in the area or are they coming there from other States?
@yushen1008 (357)
• Philippines
1 Apr 09
There are plenty of those cases here, lots of homeless people that sleeps on the street. good thing that it doesn't snow here in our country, otherwise, those homeless will have no place to shelter on the snowy nights. there are also organizations like church and non government organizations that help them on their food.
our government has programs, but i guess, those are not enough coz of many people who needs their help. and i think their funds are just for some cases like when a disaster came.
2 people like this
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
1 Apr 09
It is good indeed that it does not snow there if there are a lot of homeless people. I am glad that there are agencies that do attempt to feed the homeless.
It seems like the governments often do not care enough for the people. I do not think there is much excuse for so many people being without homes.
It shows that there is corruption and greed in the government and a lack of caring in the people.
@Jean25 (343)
• Philippines
1 Apr 09
In my Country, Home less is just simply part of that Poverty that we lived in here. before it was just Subdivision but now it's commercialize, it become more like City now, and almost every week or two i would see homeless children and few crazy people walking around the street, if not everyday, it's every single night.
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
1 Apr 09
It is a sad thing to hear that there is so much homelessness there...
I wonder if people seeing them so much still continue to try to help them or do they decide that they cannot do anything because the problem is so great...
wondering what you think here.
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
2 Apr 09
I remember hearing about that earthquake... What is the government doing now for the people who were left homeless...
I am hoping that they are getting a lot of assistance.
@emma1987 (107)
• China
2 Apr 09
Our govement have done lot of effort to help them rebuilt their homes.It is better than before now,but there are still having many peoblems in there.many people who suffered the terrible disaster,their mentality are not healthy.Some people lost the confidence to live on,they killed themselves.
@dinhquanghuy (647)
• Vietnam
1 Apr 09
after economic crisis ,everything can happen !
1 person likes this
@jessi0887 (2788)
• United States
1 Apr 09
I dont see it alot but i do see it. I may see one or two people a month. Luckily in our city we have a salvation army which houses homeless people. I think its only for at night though. I feel bad for them but i know there is nothing i can do. I cant put my family at risk and also im not doing good as it is.
1 person likes this
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
1 Apr 09
I am glad that the Salvation Army is in your area...
Sorry that you are not doing that well...
Thanks for posting.
@itsme_cha (504)
• United States
1 Apr 09
yes i do see homeless people at where i live, i think you can see homeless people at everywhere. its so hard to be homeless, being homeless is so sad as you dont have roof to be your shelter. we people who have home are very fortunate enough compare to people that are homeless.
happy mylotting!!!
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
2 Apr 09
We are indeed very lucky to have homes... Thanks for posting.
@irene66 (1669)
• Philippines
1 Apr 09
In the city where I live, there is not much scene like what you mentioned. We do have homeless families/individuals but it is at an acceptable level. and they are considered to be migrants. For local residents,they have houses to stay in,though small but at least it is considered their own. In our culture, a house is the most important thing that we should have. We are not so much indulge in buying clothes, jewelries, gadgets but we do invest in building a house of our own. So it is not so much a problem for the government
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
2 Apr 09
It is good that in your city the problem is not bad... It is good to that people invest building houses of their own in your area.
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
1 Apr 09
It does seem that many governments are ineffectual when it comes to this issue and that cursing them will not do much to solve the situation.
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
2 Apr 09
I am glad that there are very few where you live and that your council is good there.
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
2 Apr 09
Wondering... what do you think is the main cause of homelessness in your country? Thanks for posting.
@parvezs (105)
• India
1 Apr 09
Here you will find many homeless people. I have seen many living on streets making small tents or just a shade and many staying without any cover on streets. Its a shame to see such people and being a middle class person I can only provide few of such people with clothes. This is what I always do specially in winters so that they can cover themselves and sleep on streets.
1 person likes this
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
1 Apr 09
Thank you for giving them clothes... and even more for caring about them as people. It is so important that they be treated with dignity... Thanks for posting here.
@KrauseHome (36447)
• United States
1 Apr 09
Well, the more people are loosing jobs, and more and more Foreclosures and Financial issues as prices continue to rise, I know I have seen a lot more homeless in places where I used to never see them. Even though I live here in the Seattle area and we have always had homeless people around I have been hearing of shelters being packed every night as well. Truthfully until there is an upward spiral again of jobs, etc. I hope we will not continue to see things get worse as well.
1 person likes this
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
2 Apr 09
I am with you... I am hoping that things get better for everyone and that there will soon be a move toward caring for the people who need it... and insuring that the unoccupied homes get filled by those who need it and that those in their homes already remain in their homes.
@moneymommy (3418)
• United States
31 Mar 09
I did see some people in the woods with tents and they appeared to be homeless. I am not sure but thats the most I have seen in my area.
1 person likes this
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
2 Apr 09
So there are not so many in your area... That is good. Thanks for sharing.
@luvmysons (497)
• United States
1 Apr 09
OH YES!!! I live in New York and in Manhattan there are tons of homeless people... its really sad. I am really not sure if there is much of an effort being done to help the homeless besides shelters.. I always give them some money even if they are spending it on something they shouldnt
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
2 Apr 09
Thanks for doing your part to help the homeless. It is a kind thing that you are doing.
@IceTerror (47)
• Sweden
31 Mar 09
I've only seen two people begging for money outside of stores here in my entire life. They weren't homeless, just begging for some money. In Sweden there really isn't a reason for anyone to be homeless, but of course in the bigger cities there might be a couple of them.
1 person likes this
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
2 Apr 09
How is it that in Sweden there is not the homelessness there is in other places? What does Sweden do that other countries do not do?
@lancerie (63)
• Philippines
1 Apr 09
yes too many of them here in the Philippines and i think the population is growing bigger. I think government effort will not be enough for this. I think discipline should start on them. They should limit their child on what only they can feed, they have the wrong thinking that if they have many children they are reach.
1 person likes this
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
2 Apr 09
It is a sad thing that the homeless population seems to be growing... I am hoping that all nations will focus on ways to assist these people and to house them.
@baconbits52 (81)
• United States
31 Mar 09
We here in Yakima have a lot of homeless people. They just roam around asking for cans and stuff. Every 4th Sunday my youth group I'm in goes down to the area the homeless are mainly at and feed them and give them some company. Honestly, they are interesting smart people who just screwed up. My town doesn't really have wealthy people so we really don't have the same scenario or surroundings as you in LA.
1 person likes this
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
2 Apr 09
Thanks for doing your part to help the homeless. It is a good thing that you do and is most kind.
