Paola Garcia Trejo
Kennedy
Political Studies
23 August 2012
Have you ever wondered when did homelessness first appeared? Homelessness has been part
of this world since the beginning. Although it was probably not noticed before, it has been
noticed now because of its growth throughout the year. We may share the same idea that
homelessness has become a problem, but we do not share the same opinions and ideas as the way
we see homeless. In the articles I read, I realized everyone has a different view as in how to
approach the problem of homelessness, and if it is a choice we make, which in conclusion ends
up one becoming homeless. I agree and disagree at the same time on certain parts of the article.
In some of which I had an opinion about is, is homelessness a choice/opinion? Suggestions made
about homelessness, and subsidence and vouchers.
Is homelessness a choice? In the article, Eliminating Homelessness by Richard A.Cheatham,
the question is also asked. Can it be a choice for some people? While it may be true for some it is
not always that way. In the book, Scratch Beginnings by Adam Shepard, Leo “went onto explain
his view that we live in a society that allows everyone the freedom to do what he or she wants
with his or her life” (102), that means that it gives us the liberty to do what we want with our
money, we can become indebted or not. There is no law that stops us from committing a mistake.
Leo also mentions that “some of the people in the lower class start out behind. We all have the
same freedoms...but those born into poverty don’t necessarily have the guidance” (102). While
others choose by their actions, others do not have the choice, they are born into it, and the
problem is that they do not have someone to tell them from right to wrong. The article also asks,
“Must everyone have a mortgage or a lease? Must everyone have debts and credit cards?” For
the first question I have to say, it would be the best, but the reality is another. For the second
question, I say no but an action does speak for itself. If you go around spending money unwisely
you will have to face the consequences. Just how the article mentions, “Make your choices and
take the consequences. This thing called life, it’s all series of gambles”. Whatever choice you
make, you must deal with it. Just like gambling, you bet something and if you lose, you lose and
have to face it, just like real life. The choices you make do make an impact.
In the article Vicious cycle of chronic homelessness must end by SF Examiner Editorial,
explains that a lot of money is being spent on homelessness for like medical services but are then
thrown back at the streets, and so that has become a problem. There are suggestions for a way to
solve it. In the article, Bevan Dufty suggests “providing services for…young people…to prevent
future homelessness,” I agree with that suggestion. His idea is that they must be helped because
they are the future, the ones who will make the change of whether homelessness will decrease or
not. I think some services that could be given, could be education. In the book, Scratch
Beginnings, Adam mentions that those with education “have one of the lowest return rates” (33).
If his objective is to help them out of homelessness, that is the best choice. Ed Lee in the article
mentions that he wants to help and “wants to hold them accountable for,” and I agree with that. If
one wants to help out they obviously want to see a result. They do not want all their effort going
to waste.
In the article April 13, 2010 Plan Would Require Homeless to Work to Qualify for Rent
Subsidies by Julie Bosman, mentions that in order for homeless to qualify for vouchers or rent
subsidies, they must work. Some shelters require homeless to pay rent. Linda I. Gibbs mentions
that “The goal…is to create a rental assistance program that helps people move out of shelter and
provides an appropriate government subsidy.” If the objective is to make them responsible and
have them start work, that is good, but that sure is not a way of helping. If the objective is to help
them move, why not try other methods? In the book, Scratch Beginnings, it mentions that “the
shelter was supposed to be repulsive…Can you imagine…the shelter was an appealing place to
live…how many people would come to live there?” (95). Having an unappealing place to live is
also a motivation for the homeless to start working and finding a place to live. Colleen K.
Jackson’s argument against rent subsidies is that “it may make moveouts slower because it is
difficult to find work out there.” It is true; homeless with no college or high school education
have it hard when searching for jobs. If they found a job, they get abused and paid less. How are
they expected to pay if they do not have a job or even a way to sustain oneself?
In conclusion everyone has different opinions and ideas about homelessness. Everyone has
their own argument and agreement or disagreements about something.