Homelessness

[MrsChambers]

okay, so for those of you who don't know, I manage a homeless shelter for men. I have this *issue* and I would like your honest opinions on the subject okay? so here it goes.


What would you consider a resonable amount of time for a man who is homeless to "get it together" and not have to use the services of a homeless shelter any longer?

[Tammy]

Re: Homelessness

No advice, just hugs! ((((())))))

[DivaJen]

Re: Homelessness

Wow. That is really hard to say. I imagine it would depend on what other resources he has available - friends or family to rely on, the ability to secure employment sufficient to pay for his own room and board. If someone doesn't have access to bathing facilities and clean clothes, and money for (or means of) transportation, it makes it tough to go out and get a job to break the cycle of homelessness.

I hope that doesn't sound naive. That is what comes to mind when I think of your question.

[miclason]

Re: Homelessness

Also, I think, would depend on his marketable skills...some type of jobs are just easier to get than others...

[PrincessPerky]

Re: Homelessness

and some present themselves in interviews better than others. but I would think you would see effort pretty quickly. Job aplications and whatnot.

[Miz Pat]

Re: Homelessness

Say you get a homeless guy in your shelter. Once he finds a job, he still has to wait for his first paycheck and then has to earn enough to find a place to stay. Some places don't pay a new person for 3 weeks (because they hold checks back a week). That's a long period of time, and when he does get his check, he may need a deposit, work clothing, transportation, etc. And because a homeless person wouldn't have much in the way of resources, I'd guess at 2 months once they find a job, for a reasonable amount of time to actually find someplace to stay.

And remember, its hard for a single person to find a reasonable place to stay.

Pat

[mom-from-missouri]

Re: Homelessness

Also, if he is homeless, he may still have debt-even if he has a job, he may have his wages garneshed-I used to own a daycare, and had an employee who owed childsupport to her ex husband who had custody of their children. At the time I employeed her, she was single again, and her garneshment usually left her with a paycheck of less than $40. She was living with her parents as she could not afford anything but gas to get back and forth to work. Last I knew, she was still living with her parents-still paying back child support. At one time she told me it would take her 3 years to pay it all off. The reason she got behind to begin with was to pay medical bills after she was in a bad car accident. She was in a wheelchair and unable to care for her children for 18 months-so bills amounted up and the ex took the kids. Now that she can work-she has to face getting her cs paid first, before she can even get her own home to get her kids back.

[terry1156]

Re: Homelessness

What would you consider a resonable amount of time for a man who is homeless to "get it together" and not have to use the services of a homeless shelter any longer?

It's a tough question to answer. I think a lot depends on the state of the person when he arrives. There probably isn't a set time for everyone. I guess I would say when the person is obviuosly not trying to improve their life any longer and using the shelter without any attempt to become self sufficient.

Just out of curiosity, what is the current criteria you use in determining this?

[MrsChambers]

Re: Homelessness

what is the current criteria you use in determining this?

Well, Okay, let me give you a little background. The shelter that I manage has been in operation for 13 years now. I have been managing it for the past 3 years. So prior to me taking over the shelter, the old manager didn't really have a time limit or anything like that.

So here it is, 3 years after I have "taken over" and I have noticed in my time here that there is A LOT of men (like 75% of our "business") comes from men that have been comming in and out of this shelter in some fashion or another for like 5-10 years!!

it is my opinion that these gentlemen have no desire to change thier status in society and are more then comfortable with others providing the basic necessity's for them.

So on Jan 1 we implamented(?) a policy reguarding a time frame and our guests. My board came to the decision that guests can utilize the services of the shelter for 2 years, beyond that, they will be turned away.

[csaville]

Re: Homelessness

My grandmother has a friend who is pretty affluent. Her brother is homeless by choice. She has gotten him jobs, gotten him an apartment and withing a few months he is always back on the street. He seems to like the lifestyle. I think 2 years is plenty of time if they truly want to improve their situation.

[MrsChambers]

Re: Homelessness

I think 2 years is plenty of time if they truly want to improve their situation.

YOU WOULD THINK HUH?

some of these "men" that I have turned away for their "habitual homelessness" you would think that I just took away their friggin birthday or something!!

[PrincessPerky]

Re: Homelessness

I think the 'real world' is a lot harder for some, not that that excuses avoidng it. but for some finding alternatives to the 'rat race' is hard, and putting out consistant work is hard. so is taking care of themselves, and the whole 'fear of success'. Maybe counciling would help? I dunno, I like my OWN house! I find no house big enough for two mothers! or two wives for that matter.

I dunno what you do for the men and all, I just think that sometimes the theory that a job and a place to stay is all that is needed and that justisn't so. You also need the desire and the commitment to keep said job and place, plus the skills to keep them both, and the skills to take care of the dishes and the laundry and all that. Some of those skills I didn't quite have when I moved out! Still don't have the money management down pat.

Oh yeah, and the skills are a lot like quitting smoking or something, no one can make you lear, you gotta want them.

[MrsChambers]

Re: Homelessness

yeah, and thats a HUGE problem that I have.

it don't matter how much I want you to work.
how much I want you to get your own place.
How much I want you to go to the doctor.
How much I want you to care.

what matters is YOUR desire.

I tell the guys ALL THE TIME.. if I could give you the desire, I would.

but it just doens't work that way.

I understand that it's "hard"

[PrincessPerky]

Re: Homelessness

I tell my son that all the time I can't make him put his own shirt on, just tell him I believe he can, and since he isn't allowed outside until he does, he usually manages it. Somehow I doubt an equivalent carrot is availible to you

[MrsChambers]

Re: Homelessness

lol

IN MY DREAMS

lol