Homelessness!

Richard Hollerman

Today I learned that housing prices are extremely high in America. I began to think about the background and reasons for this bizarre occurrence. The same must be true around the world.

We know that some of this is understandable. However, we refer, primarily, to the following:

• Some men don’t have marketable skills to find suitable employment.
• Families may live separately and not together, thus there are not as many people per household to pay the bills.
• If the family is Christian and the wife refuses to work, the income may be reduced by 40% or even more.
• If there are many children (either no children or fewer than about 10) there may be a larger number of people requiring a certain income in support.
• If the wage-earner refuses (for Christian convictions) to become part of a labor union, this may exacerbate the issue.
• If the family doesn’t own a house and must purchase one, this could make the issue of housing difficult

• If the wage-earner is 50 or 60 or higher instead of 20 or 30, there may be additional problems.
• If there is a “divided” marriage, with one a Christian but the other not, this creates an issue that needs to be resolved.
• If the house needs really serious work done and the owners can’t do this, what shall be done?
• If the wage-earner loses his job, then what?
• If one or two of the children may have a serious medical problem, then what can be done?
• If the wage-earner has different convictions than his wife or with the children (or other family members), what are they to do?
• If the wage-earner wants to give 10% or 20% of the family income, but the other spouse is not in agreement, then what?
• If the wage-earner or his wife has a serious medical condition, this may create huge problems.

These are a few of the reasons why there may be “family” crises that needs a way to answer. Sometimes we wonder what can be done, but we commit this to God for He is the Giver and Sustainer. He will work all things together for good!

We do know that there are massive financial issues in life and this includes housing. Although there may be 582,000 “homeless” people in the country, God has a way.

• Some of these stay with “friends” but often this is temporary or not reliable housing.
• Pacific Islanders or Native Hawaiian people are more prone to homelessness but this happens to others as well.
• Blacks are the second highest in the “homeless” category.
• Then there are “Native Americans” or Indians who are also homeless.
• Multiple ethnicities would also be listed.
• Whites would be the next in a list.
• Finally, Asians would also be here but they would be last.

Some 24% of Hispanics would also be homeless. We discover that homeless population is particularly high among men. Rising rent costs and loss of jobs are primary in regard to the reasons why someone is homeless. We also find that high rent, high mortgages, lack of affordable housing, and similar issues may be involved. Along with this would be “mental illness” (as they mistakenly call it), drug addition, poverty, and cost of housing—all of this contribute to this problem. Such places as Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles are up to five times the homeless rate, compared to Arkansas, West Virginia, and Detroit, although drug addition is also high in the latter.

Additional factors that create homelessness would be an inhibition of hygiene, lack of healthy food, exposure to atmospheric conditions, such as cold, heat, and others. There would also be respiratory diseases and circulatory problems. As we think of this, we must say that other factors would be involved: a high drug problem, including fentanyl abuse, disinterest in healthy and nutritious food, safe drinking water, lack of medical treatment, smoking, and similar sins.

By 1984 to 1987, the number of homeless people proliferated. A recession aided to this problem. The Government thought that between 200,000 and 500,000 people were on the street. Tent cities sprang up. In 1990 it was discovered that most homeless people were unable to bathe or shower! In 2008, more than 66% of these homeless people were located in larger cities and 32% were in suburbia or rural areas. More than 40% had a disability. A large number are white, non-Hispanic or part of a multi-person household. Many were military veterans. And a large number are found in Texas, California, and Florida. It is unknown whether this had to do with a milder climate or illegal aliens.

Regarding the “causes” of the housing crisis, what we have found is that “lack of affordable housing” is a leading cause (according to the liberal Wikipedia). Mental illness would be another contributing factor (according to this source which we have to know is liberal in its outlook.) There would also be natural disasters, prison time, seeking to evade law enforcement, and domestic violence. Foreclosures, evictions, lack of support of friends or family, and other people may wish to remain “off the grid.” Also, there would be high rents, low income, low wages, and problems with the landlords. “Street children” are ones who have stayed in a state, with the large cities of New York City, New York; Los Angeles, California; Portland, Oregon; and San Francisco, California leading the way. Many are lesbian, sodomites, bisexual, or transgender (42% of the number). According to research, a large number (some 2 out of 5) of youth are these sexual perverts.

We further read:

51% are homeless males

25% are females

23% are homeless with children

Further,

24% are married

76% are single

(It is not known whether these would be legitimately married, or living in adultery.)

41% are white

10% are Hispanic

37% are blacks

We also see that according to another report:

41% are blacks

38% are Caucasian

20% are Hispanic

4% are Native Americans

According to a 2010 SAMHSA report:

25% had “severe mental illness.”

30% of chronically homeless people have “mental health conditions.”

Further, about 355 of sheltered adults who were homeless in shelters had chronic drug issues.

50% of chronically homeless people had co-occurring drug problems.

More than 80% have had lifetime drunkenness or drug problems.

Further, we discover that 53% had less than a high school education. 21% completed high school. And 27% had some education beyond high school.

As to the location on the SAMHSA report:

71% live in central cities

21% are in the suburbs

9% are in rural areas.

Regarding the numbers,

79,000 are in New York City

75,000 are in Los Angeles

12,000 are in Seattle

As to gender:

65.5% are males

39% are females

Regarding age:

21% are 17 and under

39% are 18-24

70% are over 24

(I know that this makes no sense, for we wonder how can 60% be the same as 70%?)

These statistics give us some background for our understanding this problem of society. It gives some idea of the demographics involved and the number of people we are dealing with. This should help us to understand this issue much better.

We are left with mixed thoughts regarding this information. On the one hand, we want to show compassion and help these dear people. On the other hand, we can’t and shouldn’t overlook the egregious sins that these people have and are committing.

So we recognize the numerous contributing factors that are to be taken into account. Many of these dear people are irresponsible and they contribute to their own homeless situation. Further, they knowingly have and are committing sin by doing unlawful sins—such as sleeping out of doors, they have knowingly violated the city ordinances by their irresponsible behavior. They have taken drugs of all kinds that are not only unlawful but harm the body and also violate their parental wishes and legal responsibilities (especially fentanyl).  They have fellowship with others who are known violators of the law and who harm their own bodies and minds. They either reject God and His ways or His people. And, of course, they have failed to glorify God in what they have done.

But, while we must openly castigate these people for their sinful ways, we also recognize that some (probably most) are to blame for these elements. Some are physically and mentally in need. They need help and compassion. They must be blessed and not cursed, helped and not hurt. Think also of the wicked cartels that promote all kinds of evil behavior and activities, and drug-taking and sexual activity! Hopefully, you will read about this on our website: WWW.truedisciscipleship.com.

We know that society takes both approaches. Because of the secularistic, non-spiritual and anti-Christian views, we know that governmental agencies and other outreaches are humanistic and worthy of outright condemnation. On the other hand, we know that the approach that Jesus and His apostles might have taken (apart from a miraculous cure) would be to bless and help these dear people.

God is the Creator and He made the men and women, the boys and girls, who are caught up in this societal and emotional problem. Not only did God create these humans but He wants them to be redeemed from this destruction. He wants them pulled out of this cesspool of corruption. We have seen the hundreds of thousands living on the streets, living in tents, on dreadful drugs, and many other issues. They do say that 90 to 90% are taking drugs that are illegal and wrong. And many are into alcohol abuse (drunkenness).

Many are into evil sexual sins of various kinds. Of course, the illegal drug (that comes from China and Mexico) known that fentanyl, that has killed perhaps 100,000 people a year in America alone (many of them young people) that would be illegal and forbidden and foolish to take, slays many of these “homeless” people but some do have homes and die anyway.

Jesus the answer to this problem of society in America (and the rest of the world) and He is the answer to the “homeless” problem of other nations as well. Thus, the oft-quoted slogan that says, “Christ is the Answer,” does ring true in many ways. Let us heed this and do His will at all times, even in this situation.