Awareness Wednesday :: Homelessness — Are We Not All Beggars?

homelessness are we not all beggars - Mormon Women for Ethical Government

When I was in high school, I went on a group date to the symphony in Salt Lake City. Along our route to Abravanel Hall, we walked by a couple with a dog. They were sitting on the sidewalk and appeared to be under the influence of some substance. As we passed by, they asked us if we had any money so they could feed their dog. After we had moved a little further along the sidewalk I laughed and said, “Yeah right! I’m sure they want money for the dog.”

I am grateful that that evening I had friends who gently chastised me. They hadn’t given the couple any money, but they had given them the benefit of the doubt. I had given my judgment.

Perhaps this story will remind you, as it has me, of King Benjamin’s final address to his people.

And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish. Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just—But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God. For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?

Whether you call it the genetics lottery, chance, circumstance, or say, “There but for the grace of God go I,” these people living life on the streets or in community shelters could be any one of us. How many of us are living from paycheck to paycheck? How many of us struggle to pay all the bills? How many of us are at risk of losing our jobs to market fluctuation or automation? How many of us live with difficult home environments, health issues, or mental illness? Could it just be a matter of time?

What are the root causes of homelessness? Lack of affordable housing, unemployment, low incomes, health problems, escaping domestic violence, racial disparities, the foreclosure crisis, mental illness and substance abuse and the lack of related services all play a part in the problem.

While it is important to realize that reporting homelessness is notoriously difficult and includes variances in definitions and methods, it is helpful to examine the reports that are issued on homelessness to get a sense of the scope of the problem. It is estimated that each year 2.5 to 3.5 million Americans sleep in shelters, transitional housing, and public places. An additional 7.4 million have lost their homes and are doubled up with other families out of necessity.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), on a single night in January of 2018 there were an estimated 552,830 people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. The number of people without permanent lodging varied greatly from state to state, with California representing the most distressed population, where 129,972 people (24% of the national homeless population) were reportedly experiencing homelessness. About 35% of the total homeless population were staying in unsheltered locations. In context, the total represents a 3% increase from the previous year, but an 11% drop from 2007. Nearly 89,000 of these individuals experience chronic homelessness.

According to a press release from HUD the numbers changed in 2019. On a single night in January 2019, 567,715 people were experiencing homelessness – an uptick, mostly due to the huge gains in homeless in California, which rose by 21,306 people.

Who are the people affected by homelessness? In the 2018 count, one-fifth of the total were children (there was a decline in the 2019 report). A majority of homeless families consist of single mothers with young children. Domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women in the U.S. African Americans are significantly overrepresented in the homeless population compared to other demographics. While black people make up about 13% of the population of the U.S., they represent 40% of the homeless population. LGBTQ young adults have a 120% higher risk than their straight, cisgender peers of experiencing homelessness. Other young adult populations that are at greater risk include Hispanic youth, young unmarried parents, and those with less than a high school equivalent education. And though homelessness among veterans is on the decline due to targeted intervention, veterans in recent years have represented about 11% of the adult homeless population.

No matter the cause or the circumstances leading to an individual or family experiencing homelessness, they do not deserve our judgment. They deserve a chance.

So we ask, “Are we not all beggars?” It’s a place to start. But is caring because it could be us the ideal? Many of us will never experience first hand what it means to be “homeless.” I would argue that caring, because each soul has worth and deserves to be cared for, is the goal. Is this not charity, the pure love of Christ?

What are the best practices for ending homelessness? How can we prevent it in the first place? What are appropriate and effective ways we can advocate for these people and address their needs? For the month of January, we are going to take a closer look at homelessness. We hope you will join the conversation.

To read the other posts in our series on homelessness, click here.