"Did you know Francis, the homeless guy living on 12th Street near Avenue A under the scaffolding by the school? I just saw this note he left with good news."
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Reader report: Housing for Francis
From the EVG inbox...
14 comments:
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Just wanted to say I really enjoy your blog. As an EV native from Stuy Town, it's nice to see the goings-on in the area. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteMany homeless people find the streets safer than the shelters. It's great to hear he was able to get housing. A big cheer for the happy ending.
ReplyDeleteIt's just insane how many times I see "the homeless find the streets are safer than shelters". I've read that often they really are because mentally ill or otherwise incapacitated people apparently start fights or steal or at least make noise all night.
ReplyDeleteSo: advocates, government, etc.... Can you please do something about that? Imagine the problem's 10x worse. Every block has some poor soul living on it, peering in the street, speaking to every passerby (I loathe having to hear "god bless" repeatedly - just as much as I'd hate hearing "Taylor Swift rules" ).
Seriously. There's got to be a better way. Either fix it or admit that people wouldn't live in the streets and make it totally legal so I can do it!
There is nothing stopping you from living in the street. The streets are much safer than shelters. Crime in shelters is at insanely high levels. Theft is rampant. Fights are am everyday occurance. Mentally ill people arent given treatment. Some shelters are more like jails with the metal detectors and bag scans. Of course weapons and drugs are brought in no problem. One is better off staying outside and eating and going to various churches for clothes and getting a NYC rec center card for showers. $75 for 6 months. The sheltets are violent, chaotic and dangerous. Youre better off at Rikers.
DeleteLove that last line about taking the cot if needed. The generosity displayed by people who have so little stands all-too-often in such marked contrast to that of those who have abundance. See ya, Francis (smiley face back).
ReplyDeleteAs long as the population keeps growing—and it's projected to hit 8 billion in a few years—we'll keep having more homelessness.
ReplyDeleteI gave him money a couple of weeks ago, and he told me neighbors were regularly bringing him food. It's great to hear he was able to get off the street. Thanks to the people on the street who were kind enough to help him.
ReplyDeleteI just saw some guy energetically jerking off on the side of Penn Station in broad daylight with 3 state trooper cars parked on 32nd st right in front of him which made it kind of funny actually (of course not a cop to be seen).
ReplyDeleteWhat are you supposed to do with these people? How are you supposed to get a nights' sleep when you know these nutjobs are stacked up next to you?
Awesome to learn that someone who needed help actually got some help. Horrible to learn that he waited five months OVER THE WINTER to get shelter, but glad that neighbors pitched in. Enjoy your new place.
ReplyDeleteSeveral people I know waited 2-3 years for their housing. 5 months is very fast. Maybe hes a vet. Otherwise it takes years for single homeless adults to get housing.
Delete"How are you supposed to get a nights' sleep when you know these nutjobs are stacked up next to you?"
ReplyDeleteMental illness is not the fault of the inflicted person. Our society is at fault for not providing care for illnesses that are treatable although in most cases the cause of these illnesses is still beyond the reach of modern medicine. Calling or classify these human being as "nut jobs" is a pretty ignorant comment.
More like the ACLU and the lawyers. Its not 'societies' fault that the legal system has made it impossible to treat people who are mentally ill and refuse services and wish to remain homeless.
DeleteThere but for the grace of whatever gets you through the night goes all of us.
ReplyDelete"Mental illness is not the fault of the inflicted person." Nor is it my fault.
ReplyDelete