There’s Something Wrong When People Are Treated Like Cattle
I’m not referring to the line at the DMV or waiting to get into a World Series game. I mean, when you’re economically struggling, hungry for your next meal, or in need of a safe bed for the night... And people in control of those desperately needed resources force you to wait in line for hours to get them.
That’s what happened in Detroit this week. A throng of thousands waited, scuffled, and pushed each other to be one of the lucky few who would receive rental assistance. The AP headline said it all, “Thousands mob Detroit center in hopes of free cash.”
The “free cash” is part of the federal stimulus package that communities are receiving around the country. People who are very, very close to becoming homeless will receive assistance with rent and utilities. Like most communities around the country, Detroit, with one and four adults unemployed, needs it.
The logic is simple. It’s cheaper to help someone stay in their apartment rather than have them end up homeless, going through the homeless service system, and then access new housing.
But why treat people like they are cattle? Your dignity is already tattered just by admitting you need help, let alone admitting it to the whole world while waiting in long public lines.
Here in Southern California, we are also implementing the same rental assistance program. But there will be no lines. No mobs. No jockeying for position to be one of the few who get help. At least I certainly hope not.
(Pic from www.news.com.au)
That’s what happened in Detroit this week. A throng of thousands waited, scuffled, and pushed each other to be one of the lucky few who would receive rental assistance. The AP headline said it all, “Thousands mob Detroit center in hopes of free cash.”
The “free cash” is part of the federal stimulus package that communities are receiving around the country. People who are very, very close to becoming homeless will receive assistance with rent and utilities. Like most communities around the country, Detroit, with one and four adults unemployed, needs it.
The logic is simple. It’s cheaper to help someone stay in their apartment rather than have them end up homeless, going through the homeless service system, and then access new housing.
But why treat people like they are cattle? Your dignity is already tattered just by admitting you need help, let alone admitting it to the whole world while waiting in long public lines.
Here in Southern California, we are also implementing the same rental assistance program. But there will be no lines. No mobs. No jockeying for position to be one of the few who get help. At least I certainly hope not.
(Pic from www.news.com.au)
posted by LA's Homeless Blog at
8:44 AM
1 Comments:
Many of the people in line may have been misled by rumors that they'd be receiving cash or checks.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jMf-Peoqc-Aa8Tr2VSC2VIH3qY6gD9B6HC880
"Rumors that $3,000 stimulus checks from the Obama administration spurred heavy turnouts."
"The city distributed more than 50,000 applications for the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing program over the past several days before running out Wednesday morning. Only 3,500 people who qualify will receive the money — a maximum $3,000 per applicant ... .
Many residents taking applications won't qualify because of the program's strict income requirements. Dumas also fears people who really need the money might have missed out on applications because of the long lines.
To be considered, applicants must have lived in Detroit for the past six months, been homeless within the past year and be of low to moderate income. A single applicant is ineligible with an income of more than $24,850 annually; the maximum annual income for an eligible family of four is $35,500.
Individuals and families meeting the income criteria and facing eviction and foreclosure also are eligible. Being able to maintain housing after getting the assistance also is a condition of the program.
The program also provides money to keep utilities turned on."
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