#homeless #HomelessFamilies #rents #housing #AffordableHousing
When you think of people being homeless, is your first question: What did they do wrong?
If so, you probably believe their behavior somehow put them in that position – not wanting to work, addiction etc.
First, many mentally ill people have nowhere to go. They’ve been abandoned and the number of treatment facilities has dwindled over the years.
But, watching CNN’s “The Whole Story” November 2, 2025, we learn many homeless people work, have families etc., but just can’t afford skyrocketing rents.
Many of the homeless adults and children interviewed for the program, based on homelessness in New York City, are articulate, resourceful and have great inner strength and resilience to endure their hardship.
Most of the adults are working. Most of the children go to school. Many have been homeless all, or most, of their lives.
They take advantage of all or most of the resources that can help them – shelters, school meals etc.
It appears, in most cases, they spend their limited income on other necessities besides an apartment, which could eat up most, if not all, of their earnings.
Some people are, indeed, homeless because of their behavior.
But, the homeless population is much broader than a few, single misfits having a hard time.
One could come away, after watching the program, thinking that the strength and resilience of many homeless people are untapped resources for better things.
Many of them showed more of those characteristics than some others much more fortunate.
The homeless cannot solve their problems alone. They need resources. They need ideas for more housing. There are many people who care and want to help, but it may take a nationwide push to really mitigate the problem.
In the show, there were some good endings for some of the people.
But, it is a large problem not only in New York, but nationwide.
In fairness, there are homeless folks who just want to stay off the grid. They would much rather be independent than go to a shelter on a cold, or hot night.
But, the show documents that many are just working families – often single mothers with children – who are shelterless for financial reasons.
It was uplifting to see some of the children with musical or other talent. What a future they might have if they had their own roof over their heads.
There is no typical homeless person. Many are doing the very best they can, for themselves and their families, with what they have. Without an address, there are only so many opportunities in the job market.
In fairness to landlords, they need to charge rents that cover taxes (high in NYC), repairs and maintenance, and have a little return on their investment.
If you are a landlord, or employer, it may be worth some thought whether your employees are making enough to live a decent life, and whether you can work with tenants on rents they can afford.
Peter