Ending Veteran Homelessness | Book Discussion
Friends,
Although I was horrified to hear about the disruption of homeless encampments in Washington, DC, I also knew this is a pretty common reaction to homelessness.
So I had to tell what I know.
-Liz
We Could End Homelessness
The story of the [named] Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) isn't really about poverty. The story is about the [un-named] rich man who wants a sign from the dead. The conclusion is straightforward--we are not getting any more signs than we already have. Even if someone, even if Jesus Christ, were to raise from the dead, we would not recognize the beggar at the gate.
Perhaps Lazarus is the sign. Perhaps all of those who are homeless, who are beggars, who are struggling to get by are a sign about the Kin-dom of God.
One message of Christianity is that Lazarus is a sign of the possibility of individual action. The unnamed rich man could have shared from his wealth. He is described with over-the-top luxuries, but even those of us with just a little more than enough to get by could help one homeless person to get ahead. Not with a random coin, but with regular sharing of our money. With relationship.
If we found one caring person to care for each person without a home we could end homelessness.
Perhaps that is the Jesus message, that we each should care for someone in need. We do much interpersonal charity, and I do think it is one correct way to live out the good news.
But Jesus was killed for his message, which leads me to believe the message was about more than asking people to be nice to poor people. Jesus disturbed the status quo. Jesus' idea, which he gets from the Hebrew prophets, is that we, as a nation, could care for Lazarus with systemic changes to end begging and homelessness. That we should do this.
We do not choose to.
Part of the reason that we accept the decision not to end homelessness is because it feels like too big a problem to solve. There is mental illness and addictions, and trauma, and obstinance on the part of people who don't want to be helped.
And so government today suggests they will try something new: break up homeless camps, destroy people's belongings, and arrest them. The idea isn't actually new, we've done it to many people over the years, and here is what we know about that technique: It doesn't work. It's obvious, but people who have their belongings stolen and are driven out of their tents/homes do not suddenly find housing, their mental illness does not improve, their addictions are not reduced. AND it's expensive to keep them in jail.
Not to mention, they haven't committed a crime, so they are soon released from jail, now without have IDs and other paperwork, or tents and sleeping bags, and without the community that developed in the homeless camps.
Here is the honest truth: we do know how to end almost all homelessness. (Until we try it broadly we won’t know if it solves all homelessness.)
Housing first works. Housing first puts people who do have homes into apartments, single room occupancy units, rooms in shared homes. The state pays for the housing, and works to get SSDI, SSI, and Social Security benefits for those who qualify. It costs less than other programs, and much less than jail. It treats people without homes with respect.
Once stabilized in housing, many find work, many do better with their addictions, with their mental health issues, and with their violent outbursts. Stability, a home, makes a huge difference toward healing people. And it costs less than all of the piecemeal offerings of shelters, meals, budgeting classes, and job training programs.
We can solve homelessness simply by giving people housing.
Which is precisely the problem. What if people cheat? Why should we give people things they can't pay for? What if they don't deserve housing? Why should you give it to them and not to me?
This brings us directly back to the story of Lazarus. Who was this guy that gets to sit in the arms of Abraham? Why does he get to look down on all of us who have as much or more than we need? Why didn't he get a job? What did he do to deserve his named place in this story?
In an age when we are going backward rather than forward in our care for our neighbors, this story is hard to hear. We have the resources, the research, and the gospel imperative guiding us to end homelessness.
All I can suggest in this time is that we insist on the truth. Do not let people insist that homelessness cannot be solved. It can be, if we would only decide to do it.
What is going on about homelessness where you are located? Do people know it is a solvable problem. Send me an email!
Housing First has been used to steadily decrease homelessness among veterans. It has taken, time but the progress has been steady.
A (long) interview with John Fugelsang and his book Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane person’s guide to taking back the bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds.
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