GuerillaCupid t1_j6lriii wrote on January 31, 2023 at 5:37 AM

Reply to comment by WuPacalypse in McPherson Square homeless camp to be cleared two months early, NPS says by Ruze42

Because in the “housing” those vouchers provide, the people are treated like prisoners and can be expelled onto the street for a minor infraction of policy. Tent life is infinitely more stable and thus safer for a long term houseless person. Again, this is just from talking to some tent residents in the neighborhood near me, but i think it’s very important to note that these people aren’t being unreasonable by wanting stable housing. We need a better solution

poet-rae-monet t1_j6mk7c5 wrote on January 31, 2023 at 11:51 AM

This is correct. They are treated like children with curfews, bed, and room checks. Many places (shelters) are first come, first served, so while you may have somewhere to sleep tonight, you may not be able to sleep there tomorrow. The housing also mixes many different people together who may steal your belongings or assault you overnight. The encampments create small communities of trusted and "like" people. Moving them also removes that trust. And yes, drug rehab programs, job seeking, clothing, food, are all programs already offered by the city to address the issue.

Formergr t1_j6n9wf8 wrote on January 31, 2023 at 3:24 PM

This is correct for shelters, agree, but not at all the case for vouchers.

mastakebob t1_j6mnnwu wrote on January 31, 2023 at 12:29 PM

Yea, but living in tents on public parks and sidewalks isn't a legal or acceptable alternative. Forgive the crude analogy, but that's like saying "Cooking is difficult and potentially dangerous; it's much more safe and stable to just help myself to my neighbors refrigerator whenever I get hungry".

haroldhecuba88 t1_j6m8kdw wrote on January 31, 2023 at 9:14 AM

Safe how? More crime, disease and drugs in these encampments. Tent life stable and safer? I don’t see that. I agree with others in that offering drug rehab and job training would go a long way. I don’t know what the rules are in regards to these vouchers but I have to believe it’s better than living in rat infested squalor with their health and life under threat. I’d take the strict rules and voucher no problem. Just offering free housing so they can do as they please will also not solve the problem. It’s takes lots of work, from both sides.

Panda_alley t1_j6n357e wrote on January 31, 2023 at 2:38 PM

they seem to be conflating vouchers and shelters. not exactly sure how someone would do a bed check for a voucher recipient lol.

either way, i don't have any insight into shelters but have plenty of experience with addiction via family members. listening to people on here you'd think shelters are military boot camps. my guess is the rules exist not for the people who struggle to follow them, but for everyone else trying to maintain sobriety and stability. like yeah, no shit you can't be high and stay in a shelter, or wander in at 3am, or bang your girlfriend, and so on. people following the rules are trying to get their shit together and youre being an asshole. that said, as mentioned i don't have experience with them, so i could be totally off.

haroldhecuba88 t1_j6nc1py wrote on January 31, 2023 at 3:38 PM

100%. Your basic premise is accurate regardless of rules. People are trying to get it together, maybe even some are families. Clean requires clean. Life is hard enough for some people, they don't need disfunction or toxicity around when they are trying so hard to get it together.