Homelessness
Brandon Gabrielson
Causes of Homelessness
There is many different causes of homelessness in the United States. Causes may vary from bankruptcy or family issues. Common causes are: Loss of job, too expensive rent, death of family, family breakup, natural disasters, domestic violence, disability, low salary, expensive illness, lack of transportation to work, lack of affordable health care, release from prison, being bought out by the state. In a 2011 homelessness survey in Hillsborough Country showed that 50% of homelessness was caused by lack of employment.
Examples of Personal Stories
In late fall of 2008 a dedicated man that helps homeless people came across an old man named Old Joe. The man would often buy Old Joe breakfast and coffee on his way to work. Old Joe lived out in front of a coffee shop, and one day the coffee shop owner promised Old Joe a warm winter coat. For weeks Old Joe would repeatedly ask whether or not the owner had brought a winter coat and the answer was consistently no. Old Joe wouldn't accept a winter coat from his new friend because he was already promised one, but as the man noticed what was going on he went out and bought all sorts of winter attire to give to Old Joe. Needless to say, Old Joe was ecstatic.
What Can We Do?
There are many simple things that we can do on a daily basis to change a homeless person's day and life. The government could open up more organizations that offer homeless people comfortable and proper housing, food, and work. I think that large companies could create towns where everyone works at the big factory and is given an apartment but has to pay rent and living expenses.
Community
Many times going through Viroqua I see hitchhikers searching for rides to Lacrosse/Onalaska which has a surprising amount of homeless persons. The conditions in Lacrosse don't look very bad for the homeless people because I don't often see the same person twice. Usually when I see a homeless person I will offer them water and food but I rarely give out cash.