Killing Homeless People For Life Insurance Is Not The Only Exploitation
The trial of the two women who took out life insurance on homeless men and then killed them is going on now here in Southern California. We are clearly appalled by such criminal behavior. It is exploitation at its worst.
But I have to say, exploitation is not uncommon behavior in dealing with poverty or homelessness. The needs of the disenfranchised—who typically do not vote—are usually lowest in priority.
As a professional who is dealing with poverty and homelessness, I am the first to acknowledge that exploitation occurs. Here are some examples:
- Affordable Housing. We talk and talk about housing. But we are really not taking it seriously. Why? Because it means billions and billions of dollars that a community is not willing to spend. So communities gather public and private funds to help those struggling with homelessness and poverty, but then do not invest the funding into what is really needed—housing and livable wage employment.
- Social Services. Agencies that are providing social services should be trying to go out of business. Or at least transition from services to a housing agency. I run a large agency. We are trying to transform this large entity into a housing-focused agency. It’s difficult. People are knocking on our doors every day for help, and there are just not enough affordable housing units to place people in. So we have to either turn people away, or help them with other needs. But we are trying. That’s why we created PATH Ventures, an affordable housing development agency. It may become the future of PATH. I continue to tell our board that some day we will change our emergency and transitional housing programs into affordable housing.
- Homeless Veterans. We send our men and women out to fight our wars and protect our country. Then we allow them to come home and live on our streets. Talk about exploitation. Besides women and children, these war veterans should be at the front of the line accepting keys to their new homes. But it’s not happening.
My list could go on and on. My point is, however, that let’s not judge these two sociopath women who murdered these homeless men for money, until we point the blaming finger at ourselves. Until our communities are willing to seriously consider investing into ending homelessness, we are also to blame.
But I have to say, exploitation is not uncommon behavior in dealing with poverty or homelessness. The needs of the disenfranchised—who typically do not vote—are usually lowest in priority.
As a professional who is dealing with poverty and homelessness, I am the first to acknowledge that exploitation occurs. Here are some examples:
- Affordable Housing. We talk and talk about housing. But we are really not taking it seriously. Why? Because it means billions and billions of dollars that a community is not willing to spend. So communities gather public and private funds to help those struggling with homelessness and poverty, but then do not invest the funding into what is really needed—housing and livable wage employment.
- Social Services. Agencies that are providing social services should be trying to go out of business. Or at least transition from services to a housing agency. I run a large agency. We are trying to transform this large entity into a housing-focused agency. It’s difficult. People are knocking on our doors every day for help, and there are just not enough affordable housing units to place people in. So we have to either turn people away, or help them with other needs. But we are trying. That’s why we created PATH Ventures, an affordable housing development agency. It may become the future of PATH. I continue to tell our board that some day we will change our emergency and transitional housing programs into affordable housing.
- Homeless Veterans. We send our men and women out to fight our wars and protect our country. Then we allow them to come home and live on our streets. Talk about exploitation. Besides women and children, these war veterans should be at the front of the line accepting keys to their new homes. But it’s not happening.
My list could go on and on. My point is, however, that let’s not judge these two sociopath women who murdered these homeless men for money, until we point the blaming finger at ourselves. Until our communities are willing to seriously consider investing into ending homelessness, we are also to blame.
(Pic from http://www.insuremeblog.com/)
posted by LA's Homeless Blog at
9:16 AM
4 Comments:
"The veterans are homeless because of mental and addiction issues." they say. Once the veterans go through all their programs of forced 12 step religion, massive medication , group therapy brainwashing, and finish those programs....THE VETERANS ARE STILL HOMELESS AND BROKE AND NO CAREER . The veterans tell the homeless agency in the beginning they need housing and training...NO, we don't do that.! These agencies are in denial that the homeless veterans only need real housing, real training, and real jobs; nothing else! People, you have been lied to for billions of dollars in their pensions and pockets.
I agree that we should not scoff at them but exam the scoff trigger within our heart..what does it mean when we scoff and judge? Yes, I scoffed but then halted that and went to what was behind the sanctimonious gesture...a lot of pain...I imagined the horror of the men who realized too late that their "friends" were intent on killing them.. a knowing worse than death.
I wonder about the funds not reaching the homeless. I wonder about people hired to care and they are rude instead. Yes, I was once out with my five kids and I will never forget collapsing in tears when I was refused help by a social worker. No addictions...just out because of DV.
I'm going homeless today, final unemployment check. I've read the other comments and I am seeing the big picture. I did not qualify for help because of my unemployment check income. Now Path says I need alcohol treatment & have to go through all the Path Mall services before I'm housing ready and have 30 days sobriety. I have never had a drinking problem and my life skills are fine.
I now know the truth why so many people are homeless. There is no housing and the homeless are on their own.
Jerry, I've been saying that for eight years now. I don't drink either but the VA says I do which mean staying homeless and even if I went through their program "for housing", there still is no housing.
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