Homelessness is a complicated issue and involves countless individuals with diverse needs and circumstances. In order to better understand what can be done about this epidemic some have clustered the needy into three distinct categories. The first group are those with chronic conditions that require intensive and ongoing care. For example, people who suffer from severe mental illness fit into this group.
We can meet the needs of this group rather easily by creating institutions and facilities that care for people who are unable to care for themselves. What keeps us from meeting these needs is the high cost of providing those services.
The second population is made up of individuals who live paycheck to paycheck and due to illness or some misfortune lose their job, which results in a downward cycle. This population is largely isolated and do not have family members or a social network capable of helping them through a difficult time. This group does not have access to mainstream credit and unfortunately often rely on high interest payday loans that eventually they can’t repay. As the economic realities get harder for those who often lack education and operate on the margins of our economy, this group is growing.
The third group is hidden and would likely never admit to being homeless. Shockingly a large number of people in this situation are children.
Tragically many of these at-risk youth are exploited. Over 65% of students in Clark County School District suffer from food insecurity and participate in the free lunch program. It is estimated that approximately 10,000 of these students are currently homeless. Not meeting the needs of the most vulnerable in our communities seems unconscionable and immoral.
Instead of confronting the causes of homelessness we spend precious tax money on ridiculous projects like the one shown here. This beautifully designed water feature between a federal building and the Historic Fifth Street School in downtown Las Vegas was recently fenced off, to keep the homeless from using it to bathe or clean their clothes. Not only is this a symbol and monument to our communities indifference and inaction but it deprives everyone the pleasure of enjoying this amazing urban park.