The Homeless Are People Too

   The homeless epidemic has become a widespread and ongoing issue throughout California and much of our nation.   As our economy worsens many people are displaced from their homes and find shelter on the streets.  In a 2013 report by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) some shocking information was found; California accounts for 22% of the nation's homeless population and 66.7% of these people lack any form of shelter.  Often when walking by a homeless person on the street we turn our heads and dehumanize them; society needs to realize that being homeless is neither a crime nor a sin.  Our society has molded us into believing that each homeless person is an uneducated, jobless, primitive, dirty drug addict whose bad decisions in life have left them a victim to the streets.  What we do not realize is that this is not always true.  There are homeless children who have been born into poverty and have had no other option but to live with their families on the streets.  What bad decisions could they have made to be born into such a hard life?  The face of the homeless have changed since the past and the typical stereotype of the homeless individual no longer exists.  Our homeless population consists of mothers, fathers, children, veterans, elderly, employed, unemployed, young and old.  Homelessness knows no face and anyone can fall victim to this regardless of what good or bad decisions you have made or have not made.  Sometimes life is out of our control and events can happen that can put us in bad situations.  When I encounter a homeless person on the street I try to remember that bad things can happen to good people and that this person could be my mother, brother, neighbor or friend.  In a recent interview I interviewed a Vietnam War veteran named John who was living on the streets.  John was as humble as they come and had a calming, positive outlook about life.  The interview with him was refreshing and uplifting and made me realize that no matter how bad things may seem God is always watching over us and has a plan for us all.  John fought for our country in the Vietnam War, however, he suffered PTSD as a result of his service.  His PTSD made him unable to have a normal job and he got little to no assistance in overcoming this hardship.  It is astonishing how a war hero who fought for our freedom and safety could so easily be kicked to the curb when all he needed was a little help.  John’s main point he wanted to get across in our short interview was that he was a human and that even if you could not give him a little bit of change when you walk by him all he wanted was acknowledgement.  Next time you are walking by a homeless individual give them a friendly smile or even a warm “Hello!” you never know whose day you may be brightening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdzLLEvxKoY

https://www.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/ahar-2013-part1.pdf