homelessness

homelessness

Started on Mar 28, 2012 by Mitsi Wagner

Daniel Kerr, author of Derelict Paradise: Homelessness and Urban Development in Cleveland Ohio, says that homelessness is not caused by the homeless, as most of society believes. Let's explore this concept.

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  1. Mitsi Wagner
    Mitsi Wagner

    I've worked with and known homeless people for over 40 years, on the Near West Side of Cleveland.  Homeless people and the larger society often blame homeless people for their homelessness.  Daniel Kerr, author of "Derelict Paradise:  Homelessness and Urban Development in Cleveland, Ohio", explains that there are economic forces that actually benefit from homelessness, and thus ,in a sense "cause" homelessness. 

     

    I'm going to read Kerr's book.  I need to know more about this idea.  And, having learned more, I want the larger society to know more, so that people who blame the homeless for their situation can begin to understand who actually profits from the existence  of homeless people in society.

     

    On today's Sound of Ideas program on WCPN 90.3, Kerr pointed out that homlessless peole are often hired for punchpress jobs through day labor agencies, which pay, after fees are taken out, less than minimum wage.  You can't pay rent with a job that pays less than minimum wage.  He comments that, in the 1950's, punch press jobs paid people enough to allow them to finance buying a house.

     

    So, let's explore this.  What'sup?

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    Posted Mar 28, 2012

  2. Nancy Reeves
    Nancy Reeves

    This looks interesting - it isn't directly responsive to the "cause" question, but it suggest an integrated approach to a solution (without blaming the homeless)

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Mitsi Wagner

Mitsi Wagner - "Thank you for your response.  I will check out the link you have provided."

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Nancy Reeves

Nancy Reeves - "This looks interesting - it isn't directly responsive to the "cause" question, but it suggest an..."

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Mitsi Wagner

Mitsi Wagner - "Daniel Kerr, author of Derelict Paradise: Homelessness and Urban Development in Cleveland Ohio,..."

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