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> Many poor have the option (depending on location and availability) to live in homeless shleters. Homeless people don't "live" in shelters, they temporarily o
by omegaworks 5y ago
> Many poor have the option (depending on location and availability) to live in homeless shleters.
Homeless people don't "live" in shelters, they temporarily occupy them. Every morning the shelter kicks out the people that slept there and every evening people must queue to re-enter the shelter. Night-to-night, no one is guaranteed a bed.
This is not an "option" that enables meaningful participation in our economy and society nor does it facilitate the health and growth that is necessary for escaping poverty.
- gamblor956 5y agoI don't know why you're being downvoted for this, since that is exactly how the homeless shelters in LA's Skid Row operate: beds are night-to-night, and generally individuals must leave the shelters during the day (though some shelters make exceptions for families with children).
- nate_meurer 5y agoWhile it's true that you're not guaranteed a shelter bed in most cities, in practice shelters run far below capacity. You can get detailed data on population and shelter capacity here: https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/homelessness-statistics/state-of-homelessness-2020/ https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/homeless... For example, it appears California is maintaining around 20% capacity utilization in shelters statewide on average. Talk to the workers, and they'll tell you the main struggle is not running out of space, but getting homeless people in the door, because as you point out, shelter life sucks. You're absolutely right, one doesn't "live" in a shelter in any meaningful sense. They're not a permanent solution, and hardly even a temporary one.