Will homelessness ever end?

KKkitty

In the news today we were told of the awful story of a man who died metres away from the Dail due to being homeless. Before anyone says this man is not the first to die alone let me just say I hope it's the last story of its kind we hear of. Whatever the reasons for a person to be without a permanent roof over their heads are why is more not being done about it.

The One Doctor

Politicians do what's popular, not what's right, sadly.

suicide_circus

UN figures suggest that 21,000 people, mostly children, die of starvation per day. Cruel world.

biko

No, homelessness will never end unfortunately. You can help by supporting a local shelter.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Well, no, because most people aren;t homeless and therefore don;t see it as a problem; while homeless people don;t vote.

NIMAN

Where are these people's family/relaties?

Had this guy who died not got any family? If he had, they should be ashamed of themselves,

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

NIMAN wrote: »

Where are these people's family/relaties?

Had this guy who died not got any family? If he had, they should be ashamed of themselves,

This is the problem: everyone thinks someone else should be repsonsible for solving things. In a lot of cases the family are the ones that put them on the street in the first place.

KKkitty

NIMAN wrote: »

Where are these people's family/relaties?

Had this guy who died not got any family? If he had, they should be ashamed of themselves,

He may have fallen out with them or they didn't know the full extent of what he was going through? Especially coming into the hard winter you'd feel for those who sleep rough.

Arbiter of Good Taste

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

This is the problem: everyone thinks someone else should be repsonsible for solving things. In a lot of cases the family are the ones that put them on the street in the first place.

But if the reason is, say, drugs related, can you really blame them?

The ones that I can't understand are "normal" people who have fallen on hard times who end up on the streets or in homeless shelters. I would hope that if one of my friends or family fell on hard times that they would not be afraid to ask me for some help - be it financial, or a roof over their head. Vice versa, I know that if I were in trouble there are a handful of friends I could turn to. I think the deterioration of social ties these days is really sad.

Mr. Incognito

8 billion people.

Famines, war, starvation, genocide, laziness, mental health, etc

No.

Packrat

Homelessness will never end, no, just as poverty, joblessness (by choice or misfortune) etc will never end.

Some people just cannot cope with life as well as the rest of us. It's unfortunate, and it's good that as a society we catch as many who fall as we do.

NO society in the world EVER has managed to pick up and carry all the ones who fall, and it's an absolute fallacy to think that one ever can.

We are absolutely the most privileged and pampered humans who have EVER lived, living in the most ordered, legislated, policed, and supported societies of all time.

Yet we cannot catch everyone who falls. We never will.

This is no excuse however to stop trying, impossible though our goal undoubtedly is.

The One Doctor

Packrat wrote: »

Homelessness will never end, no, just as poverty, joblessness (by choice or misfortune) etc will never end.

Some people just cannot cope with life as well as the rest of us. It's unfortunate, and it's good that as a society we catch as many who fall as we do.

NO society in the world EVER has managed to pick up and carry all the ones who fall, and it's an absolute fallacy to think that one ever can.

We are absolutely the most privileged and pampered humans who have EVER lived, living in the most ordered, legislated, policed, and supported societies of all time.

Yet we cannot catch everyone who falls. We never will.

This is no excuse however to stop trying, impossible though our goal undoubtedly is.

Other countries do it quite a bit better than us.

Yamanoto

NIMAN wrote: »

Had this guy who died not got any family? If he had, they should be ashamed of themselves,

I don't think that's fair comment, without being in full possession of the facts etc.

cruais

NIMAN wrote: »

Where are these people's family/relaties?

Had this guy who died not got any family? If he had, they should be ashamed of themselves,

NIMAN, thats a bit of a closed view you have going on there.

Often with homelessness, its not as simple as asking where the family are. You don't know that mans situation or circumstances with his family.

Often you will find that some people wish to go MIA from family and friends and no matter how hard people search for their loved ones, they dont get the results they're looking for unfortunately.

So please broaden your thoughts to include other possible circumstances. Never judge a person until you have walked a mile in their shoes

bluemartin

NIMAN wrote: »

Where are these people's family/relaties?

Had this guy who died not got any family? If he had, they should be ashamed of themselves,

Most people on the streets have families but for one reason or another the homeless person has fallen out with them or in some instances the families are not even aware they loved ones are on the streets.

The causes of homelessness are multifaceted and it is not always down to drink and drugs, mental issues play a huge role as does relationship breakdown. remember many people could be as little as one pay cheque away from homelessnesn.

Sclosages

Guess what - I'm homeless from tomorrow. I will have no option but to beg and sleep in undergrounds. I will possibly die. **** happens, you make your decisions, you **** up your life, you die. Natural selection.

Sclosages

bluemartin wrote: »

Most people on the streets have families but for one reason or another the homeless person has fallen out with them or in some instances the families are not even aware they loved ones are on the streets.

The causes of homelessness are multifaceted and it is not always down to drink and drugs, mental issues play a huge role as does relationship breakdown. remember many people could be as little as one pay cheque away from homelessnesn.

Thank you for taking the time to make that post. Most people don't bother.

bluemartin

Sclosages wrote: »

Guess what - I'm homeless from tomorrow. I will have no option but to beg and sleep in undergrounds. I will possibly die. **** happens, you make your decisions, you **** up your life, you die. Natural selection.

You need to present yourself to your local coucil housing office in the morning, they all have homeless units where you will be assessed and directed towards emergency accommodation. i dont know where you are based but do find out also talk to your local SVDP for help and support.

Venus In Furs

Severe mental illness can cause people to *choose* to be homeless.

Remember that poor man who was burned to death in the Phoenix Park while sleeping rough? He had a house and money. I don't always agree with the "society doesn't care" stuff, particularly seeing as people who say it are also part of society.

lulu1

NIMAN wrote: »

Where are these people's family/relaties?

Had this guy who died not got any family? If he had, they should be ashamed of themselves,

He probably did have a family somewhere but for all we know maybe they did all they could to help him to no avail

Venus In Furs

bluemartin wrote: »

You need to present yourself to your local coucil housing office in the morning, they all have homeless units where you will be assessed and directed towards emergency accommodation. i dont know where you are based but do find out also talk to your local SVDP for help and support.

And Simon Community and Focus Ireland. Sorry to read it Sclosages.
Don't be so hard on yourself. Most people make mistakes, lots of people **** up (Christ knows I have!) but most people don't end up homeless - you don't deserve this.

bluemartin

Venus In Furs wrote: »

Severe mental illness can cause people to *choose* to be homeless.

Remember that poor man who was burned to death in the Phoenix Park while sleeping rough? He had a house and money. I don't always agree with the "society doesn't care" stuff, particularly seeing as people who say it are also part of society.

I don't think 'choose' is the most appropriate word to use when dealing with people out of home due to mental health problems. Often there are more than mental health problems at stake with these people.

Sclosages

I'm in London.
My sister recorded a track to raise money for the Simon Community.
Clearly, me being on the streets is going to be a relief to everyone. I won't have broadband or a phone. I won't be able to tell the truth.

FISMA

Matthew 26:11.

bluemartin

Sclosages wrote: »

I'm in London.
My sister recorded a track to raise money for the Simon Community.
Clearly, me being on the streets is going to be a relief to everyone. I won't have broadband or a phone. I won't be able to tell the truth.

It is very difficult being homeless in London and it is bitter cold here too at the moment. I would advise you to go straight to the Irish centre in Camden town they will go through your options with you.

Zambia

Sclosages wrote: »

I'm in London.
My sister recorded a track to raise money for the Simon Community.
Clearly, me being on the streets is going to be a relief to everyone. I won't have broadband or a phone. I won't be able to tell the truth.

The day you stop seeing yourself as a victim is the day you are not.

Report your partner to police for domestic assault.

Reach out to anyone who can help . Google women's domestic violence assistance and start there.

Leave your partner as soon as possible. As in now.

the_syco

KKkitty wrote: »

Whatever the reasons for a person to be without a permanent roof over their heads are why is more not being done about it.

During winter, when spaces are few and far between, getting them to stay sober for the night is only half the problem. Getting them into a place when temps are very effing low is the other half of the problem.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Arbiter of Good Taste wrote: »

But if the reason is, say, drugs related, can you really blame them?

The ones that I can't understand are "normal" people who have fallen on hard times who end up on the streets or in homeless shelters. I would hope that if one of my friends or family fell on hard times that they would not be afraid to ask me for some help - be it financial, or a roof over their head. Vice versa, I know that if I were in trouble there are a handful of friends I could turn to. I think the deterioration of social ties these days is really sad.

Balance that with people who have been forced out because of abusive relations and, in at least once case I know, simply being gay.

letsgetloud

hope not or I will have no one to throw rubbish at.

Banned, that humour is not welcome here.

Mod.

KKkitty

In any city or town how many buildings are left idle? Could these places be done up to give homeless people somewhere sheltered to sleep?

Karl Stein

There are people who've had such dreadful experiences that they find being indoors unbearable.

bluemartin

KKkitty wrote: »

In any city or town how many buildings are left idle? Could these places be done up to give homeless people somewhere sheltered to sleep?

It's not as simple as that, as stated above some homeless people do not want to live in shelters, some are fearful of attack from other residents, they may be worried about the dangers of mixing with challenging people. It is ok to do up old buildings etc but what about the resources to staff the hostels, there are numerous issues to take into account not just providing the physical structure.

suicide_circus

Girl I know works for focus ireland, says there are enough temp beds but people have to not drink/shoot up/be under the influence/aggressive in order to avail of the service. A lot of people are simply too far down the rabbit hole to comply eith these rules and stay outside instead.

KKkitty

I get what you're saying but it's a case of you can't help them all. Just thinking of how many people could have passed by that man before and after he died not knowing what really was about to happen to him is heartbreaking.

bluemartin

suicide_circus wrote: »

Girl I know works for focus ireland, says there are enough temp beds but people have to not drink/shoot up/be under the influence/aggressive in order to avail of the service. A lot of people are simply too far down the rabbit hole to comply eith these rules and stay outside instead.

that is very true, some residents just can't comply with the rules, they get into fights etc. Some hostels do allow residents to drink in their rooms but drugs are banned everywhere.

cruais

letsgetloud wrote: »

hope not or I will have no one to throw rubbish at.

Your attempt at being humorous is pathetic. Get the boat

bluemartin

KKkitty wrote: »

I get what you're saying but it's a case of you can't help them all. Just thinking of how many people could have passed by that man before and after he died not knowing what really was about to happen to him is heartbreaking.

Yes it is heart breaking and very distressing for people to take in. Homeless people are hugely at risk from hypothermia especially in this cold weather. Many also present with numerous health problems such as bronchiatis. Ideally in a perfect world there would be no one on the streets but homelessness is a complex process and it will most likely always be with us.

bluemartin

cruais wrote: »

Your attempt at being humorous is pathetic. Get the boat

people who make those statements do not warrant a comment back, best to ignore them.

Sclosages

I'm, white, Irish, scored top 5% Leaving Cert, was battered almost to death by my mother on a daily basis. Anyway - nobody wants nervous genius' I don't expect Irish People to do a thing anymore. Recession. Poverty. Death

Slicemeister

Sclosages wrote: »

I'm, white, Irish, scored top 5% Leaving Cert, was battered almost to death by my mother on a daily basis. Anyway - nobody wants nervous genius' I don't expect Irish People to do a thing anymore. Recession. Poverty. Death

Did you read the end of your thread over in PI? Some great info put up by the mod there, just asking in case you hadn't.

crybaby

suicide_circus wrote: »

UN figures suggest that 21,000 people, mostly children, die of starvation per day. Cruel world.

What a disturbing statistic, christ.

Zambia

Someone once told me the best thing you can do for the homeless is you not give them any competition.

Look after yourself your family and your mates.

I have met a lot of homeless people, most are homeless because they spend all their life burning bridges.

Agent Coulson

As long as there is people with addiction problems and mental illness there will be homeslessness sadly.

Sofiztikated

KKkitty wrote: »

In any city or town how many buildings are left idle? Could these places be done up to give homeless people somewhere sheltered to sleep?

Aye, that'll happen.

NIMBY! NIMBY! NIMBY!

Venus In Furs

Sclosages wrote: »

was battered almost to death by my mother on a daily basis. Anyway - nobody wants nervous genius' I don't expect Irish People to do a thing anymore. Recession. Poverty. Death

There IS help for someone who has gone through such horrific damaging trauma as you Sclosages. London has countless such supports (e.g. NHS, Victim Support - sorry, I can't link). Please please reach out to those people who can help you.

KKkitty

Sofiztikated wrote: »

Aye, that'll happen.

NIMBY! NIMBY! NIMBY!

Hate people who have a NIMBY attitude. A former TD who is living out the road from me slept outside in the main town for the night seemingly. It was the biggest farce of a thing IMO. One night was a joke to those who sleep for endless nights wherever they can find somewhere.

Agent Coulson

KKkitty wrote: »

In any city or town how many buildings are left idle? Could these places be done up to give homeless people somewhere sheltered to sleep?

You could house everyone who is homeless tomorrow.

That doesn't cure the reason they are homeless in the first place.

How long before someone with an addiction starts to forget to pay their rent or can because they are spending all their money on their addiction.

It won't belong before they are evicited and once again homeless.

How about some struggling with a mental illness who can't look after themselves in their new home and end up back on the streets because of the lack of support they get and can't cope.

This is the vicious circle the support groups and charities see daily.

KKkitty

Agent Coulson wrote: »

You could house everyone who is homeless tomorrow.

That doesn't cure the reason they are homeless in the first place.

How long before someone with an addiction starts to forget to pay their rent or can because they are spending all their money on their addiction.

It won't belong before they are evicited and once again homeless.

How about some struggling with a mental illness who can't look after themselves in their new home and end up back on the streets because of the lack of support they get and can't cope.

This is the vicious circle the support groups and charities see daily.

I know but after that poor man's death one can hope that people get help with whatever addiction or mental illness they have.

Chucken

Agent Coulson wrote: »

You could house everyone who is homeless tomorrow.

That doesn't cure the reason they are homeless in the first place.

.

http://www.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/property-mortgages/800-children-made-homeless-in-first-10-months-of-2014-30768330.html

House all the homeless!

MadYaker

As long as people are happy enough to trade everything they own and then some for another hit of whatever drug they're on then no it won't end.

It's like war, starvation, poverty, religious persecution etc etc. As long humans exist so will these things.

Homelessness happens as a result of other more serious problems, drug addiction and mental illness mostly. So to combat homelessness properly you to target these issues. Simply moving everyone off the streets and into accommodation won't work in the long term because it doesn't address the root cause of the problem.

Mark Tapley

Sclosages wrote: »

I'm, white, Irish, scored top 5% Leaving Cert, was battered almost to death by my mother on a daily basis. Anyway - nobody wants nervous genius' I don't expect Irish People to do a thing anymore. Recession. Poverty. Death

I hope you get something sorted tomorrow. Please, contact one or all of the organisations suggested on the other thread. There are good people around and you will get help.