4 ms·

> We have nothing and have to steal to survive Well, if I am picking on you specifically (apologies) it seems that you have: abundant time, access to the inter

> We have nothing and have to steal to survive Well, if I am picking on you specifically (apologies) it seems that you have: abundant time, access to the internet, a solid command of the english language, and if you're in the US access to a myriad of social and mental health services that would easily raise your standard of living to Lower Middle class if you took advantage. Not to mention the endless non-profit groups that offer safe shelter options, free food, etc. Speaking on behalf of society: We don't like seeing you struggle or in pain, but what else do you want from us?

FollowingTheDao 4y ago
I say "we" because I do not separate myself form others, no matter the circumstance. I am one of the lucky homeless. I was a network engineer making bank at Cisco before I became ill so my disability payments are higher than average. Do you know the cure for Neuropsychiatric Lupus? You think I am just not trying hard enough? You think people right now I can write a sentence and use a laptop that later I am not crippled with anxiety or pain and my white blood cells vanish? You know how many employers fired me because I called in sick just one day even though they knew I was disabled? You know how many apartments I could not rent, not because I did not have the money but because I was on disability? (I sued a landlord over this and won actually.) And services? They have been cutting services ever since I was first disabled. Endless non-profit groups that do nothing? In my home town there were five non-profits to house the homeless. I went to all five, still homeless. "Safe shelter"? Spend a night in a shelter anywhere and tell me how safe you feel. You think you know my story like you know every other homeless persons story. It is all so simple for you, isn't it, when you make up a fantasy in your head? I hope you do not get long covid or some other known disorder they have no idea how to treat. Unlike you, when I speak, I speak for the people who need more than I do. I am grateful for the help I do have, but it is a purgatory of torture and suffering. I was getting better until COVID turned my housing struggle into homelessness and all that happened was this with houses got more houses.
- bequanna 4y ago
  I feel for you, I really do. It sounds like you're struggling and that is awful to hear. But I did ask the question above in good faith: What more could be done? For example, Exactly what is standing in the way between you and having a Section 8 apartment (or whatever)? Is there something specific that needs to change?
  - FollowingTheDao 4y ago
    > Is there something specific that needs to change? Stop people from using housing as an investment. Stop voting for either corporate party. Fight to pass laws banning the ownership of multiple houses. Fight for social housing like they have in Europe. Represent us in your town halls to fight agains the anti-homeless/poverty laws and fight for more funding for section 8 and low income housing. Do not vote for people who magically find $40 billion for Ukraine but cannot find money for homeless/healthcare. Make politicians earn your vote instead of just voting for the least bad person. End all the deductions for owning a house. End AirBnB in any community that cannot afford to house their poorest. Frankly, the FED might help me more than anyone else once they raise rates and housing prices collapse. And people think Section 8 is some magic thing, but section 8 is only half of it. If a landlord will not accept it a voucher is useless: https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2021/05/12/biden-wants-to-offer-more-housing-vouchers-many-landlords-wont-accept-them https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/sta... I have been on a section 8 waiting list for ten years, I am still well past 200 on the waiting list. Women and families always just ahead of me and section 8 housing is as rare as any other cheap housing.
  - landemva 4y ago
    >> What more could be done? Money does not fix everything. As long as we are going to throw $40 billion far far away, the federal government should match it 1:1 for housing administered by State programs. Spend our money at home on our people. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/21/biden-signs-40-billion-aid-package-for-ukraine-during-trip-to-asia.html https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/21/biden-signs-40-billion-aid-p...

FollowingTheDao 4y ago

I say "we" because I do not separate myself form others, no matter the circumstance. I am one of the lucky homeless. I was a network engineer making bank at Cisco before I became ill so my disability payments are higher than average. Do you know the cure for Neuropsychiatric Lupus? You think I am just not trying hard enough? You think people right now I can write a sentence and use a laptop that later I am not crippled with anxiety or pain and my white blood cells vanish? You know how many employers fired me because I called in sick just one day even though they knew I was disabled? You know how many apartments I could not rent, not because I did not have the money but because I was on disability? (I sued a landlord over this and won actually.) And services? They have been cutting services ever since I was first disabled. Endless non-profit groups that do nothing? In my home town there were five non-profits to house the homeless. I went to all five, still homeless. "Safe shelter"? Spend a night in a shelter anywhere and tell me how safe you feel. You think you know my story like you know every other homeless persons story. It is all so simple for you, isn't it, when you make up a fantasy in your head? I hope you do not get long covid or some other known disorder they have no idea how to treat. Unlike you, when I speak, I speak for the people who need more than I do. I am grateful for the help I do have, but it is a purgatory of torture and suffering. I was getting better until COVID turned my housing struggle into homelessness and all that happened was this with houses got more houses.

bequanna 4y ago
I feel for you, I really do. It sounds like you're struggling and that is awful to hear. But I did ask the question above in good faith: What more could be done? For example, Exactly what is standing in the way between you and having a Section 8 apartment (or whatever)? Is there something specific that needs to change?
- FollowingTheDao 4y ago
  > Is there something specific that needs to change? Stop people from using housing as an investment. Stop voting for either corporate party. Fight to pass laws banning the ownership of multiple houses. Fight for social housing like they have in Europe. Represent us in your town halls to fight agains the anti-homeless/poverty laws and fight for more funding for section 8 and low income housing. Do not vote for people who magically find $40 billion for Ukraine but cannot find money for homeless/healthcare. Make politicians earn your vote instead of just voting for the least bad person. End all the deductions for owning a house. End AirBnB in any community that cannot afford to house their poorest. Frankly, the FED might help me more than anyone else once they raise rates and housing prices collapse. And people think Section 8 is some magic thing, but section 8 is only half of it. If a landlord will not accept it a voucher is useless: https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2021/05/12/biden-wants-to-offer-more-housing-vouchers-many-landlords-wont-accept-them https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/sta... I have been on a section 8 waiting list for ten years, I am still well past 200 on the waiting list. Women and families always just ahead of me and section 8 housing is as rare as any other cheap housing.
- landemva 4y ago
  >> What more could be done? Money does not fix everything. As long as we are going to throw $40 billion far far away, the federal government should match it 1:1 for housing administered by State programs. Spend our money at home on our people. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/21/biden-signs-40-billion-aid-package-for-ukraine-during-trip-to-asia.html https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/21/biden-signs-40-billion-aid-p...