Latinx & Homelessness

    

        Although there has been a spike of 240% in the amount of Hispanic students enrolling in higher education institutions between 1996 and 2012 (Krogstad & Fry, 2014), only 15% of Hispanics actually attain a bachelor’s degree or higher (Krogstad, 2015). Compared to other minorities, Latinos are lagging behind. Even though this could lead to serious repercussions, it is still an unacknowledged issue that, if not confronted soon, could lead more Latino males down a path of economic instability and even homelessness. Currently, the Latinx community makes up roughly around 46% of the population but makes up for 35% of the homeless population. Even before Latino students reach college, it can be seen that a large percentage struggle from an early age. During 2004, Hispanics had a high school dropout rate of 28.4% which surpassed Whites, Blacks, and Asians (Saenz & Ponjuan, 2009, p.56). Hispanics falling behind can be traced even further back than high school which is why there at such a danger to become homeless once they are older. As the Journal of Hispanic Higher Education states, Hispanic students in 2006 had the lowest percentage of children between three to four years old enrolled in schools (Saenz. & Ponjuan, 2009, p. 59). This achievement gap can create a long lasting, devastating impact on our society if nothing is done to create change to help further Hispanic male educational development. By encouraging a more diverse staff, emphasizing how white privilege can be used to advocate for change within Hispanic communities, and creating a well-informed citizenry within classrooms, educators can help create a better educated Hispanic work force. Having more Hispanic students invest in themselves by attending higher education institutions not only will help them financially, by providing better job opportunities, but will help reduce the number of incarcerated and homeless Latinos.

https://socialinnovation.usc.edu/homeless_research/stemming-the-rise-of-latino-homelessness-lessons-from-los-angeles-county/

COVID-19 Shutting Us Down

Portland just like everywhere in America is being hit hard with COVID-19 and what it has done to local businesses. It has brought extreme tension and sadness on what is happening to our local economy. Not only are the business owners suffering, but so are the employees that make a living at the shutdown businesses. This latest shutdown by Governor Brown, which started on November 18 is very scary in terms if businesses will be able to get back up on their feet again.

Financial Assistance to Businesses

Governor Kate Brown will be allocating $55 million in assistance to businesses that are being affected by  COVID-19. The money will come from the federal CARES Act fund. This is supposed to be the start of potential more money down the road to help sustain the economy until the virus gets contained. The money will be handled and awarded to the counties based on population. Each county will have to figure out how they want the funds distributed and managing the applications. The hospitality industry and the businesses from black, native American and other disadvantaged communities will be prioritized. 

 

https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2020/11/oregon-gov-kate-brown-pledges-55-million-in-state-aid-for-businesses-hurt-by-covid-19.html

 

 

Oregon Business Groups Urging Kate Brown of shutdown

Oregon’s Coronavirus Recovery Business Coalition urged Kate Brown to consider alternatives in regards to her shutdown of businesses. Sandra McDonough, President and CEO of Oregon Business & Industry said that this shut down will be a lot more damaging than the previous one. This shut down is a little bit more mysterious than the last one right now for workers and business owners because we had the federal unemployment support and small business assistance that was in play. The Business Coalition brought to the table some ideas, but the governor was not buying into that course of action.

 

https://www.wweek.com/news/business/2020/11/13/oregon-business-groups-urged-gov-kate-brown-not-to-implement-statewide-freeze-amid-covid-19-spike/

 

 

Ways to Help Small Businesses

1)Gift Cards- Purchasing gift cards would generate instant cash flow to the suffering businesses. It’s a Win-Win-Win though for all three groups involved though. The business is obviously benefiting because they are bringing in money. The purchaser is benefiting because they are going to be providing a good to the person of their choosing. The receiver of the gift card will obviously be benefiting because they will be able to spend money at that business whenever they want.

 

2)Shopping Local- Instead of shopping at all the chain restaurants or grocery stores do a good service and try to help out the local businesses instead. It is imperative during these times we are going through that we stick together and support each other as much as we possibly can.

 

3) Ordering Online- The easiest way in today’s world is to purchase everything and have it delivered by Amazon. Instead of doing everything the easiest and most convenient way try and order necessary items through local and brick and motor stores and shops. That could make the biggest difference towards them being able to fight through these times.

 

4) Pick-up from Restaurants- if some of your local restaurants don’t do delivery simply see if you can pick it up from them. Even though everything is most convenient through all of the food delivery services try and support your local restaurants when they need it the most.

Permanent Housing vs Shelters

 

Permanent housing versus shelters.  For a long while I had believed that more shelters would assist the homelessness issue, but with research towards homelessness assistance I came up on the topic concerning the effectiveness of shelters and permanent housing.  The main points are financial costs and path to self-sufficiency.  When looking up past instances of permanent housing projects it has appeared to be more effective in getting individuals to a point where they’re able to work again and self-sustain themselves.  

When in permanent housing, the claim is that with stable housing, it provides a sense of security and stability.  With that in mind it leads to a homeless individual being able to seek out more help and increases their chances of becoming self-independent.  How can one hope to get back on their feet if they have to seek shelter or necessities everyday after all?  In the video provided above, the housing solution shown contains a portion of the building where those who live there can learn skills such as in the cooking area that turns into a restaurant during the day.  This example is a fantastic illustration of just what these permanent housing buildings can do if done right.  Incorporating an environment that puts them into situations where they can be a working person and in this case even pay them for it (since it is a restaurant too) gives them some form of job training that they can take with them later on.  As they also say in the video it’s almost no different from an apartment and it’s flexible that they have different types of room options such as studios, or double rooms that can house siblings.  

They also bring up an interesting point that I think becomes a concern with these offers.  The goal of course is to get them back working and independent as soon as they possibly can, but they’re aware that some, especially young individuals may not be able to do it within their 1 year binding contract.  It becomes more effective to provide programs that will help them get there sooner, but while the effort is to in the future open up another room, it’s reasonable not to expect residents to leave after that year.

Is it really cost saving?  For Multnomah county, there was a claim that it would cost $8000 per household to help an individual attain permanent housing whereas $8000-1000 to maintain one bed in a shelter.  I think the cost savings eventually come in the effort that’s provided to get them off the streets and become no longer homeless where the success rates of shelters being less than 10% just has them going back.  In combination due to permanent housing taking more time to build as well as housing a smaller number of people at a time, shelters however still provide a very temporary solution to housing bigger numbers.  This will only improve as more permanent housing solutions are built over time.

Some statements from calcoast that I think summarize the idea is that instead of getting them ready to move out of homelessness, you give them a roof and services which will then make it easier for them to assess their problems.

RESOURCES

Housing First

Coalition for the Homeless

Home for Hope

Coronavirus and its implications

    LGBTQ+ Youth are always at a distinct risk for struggles, due to their treatment within society. Oftentimes, being ostracized or bullied by peers can lead to exacerbation of mental health difficulties, and even physical ones. This can make it difficult to keep gainful employment, as well as continue to operate socially and keep in touch with friends.

    All of these struggles are significantly increased during the Coronavirus pandemic. In addition to the stress which they must deal with on a day to day basis, houseless individuals have no option to quarantine or stay safe within a room of their choosing. In many cases, all that resources can provide for them is a bed within a room filled with other individuals. When considering trans identity, it may become a choice to stay at a location which doesn't adequately address gender of the individuals staying there, or stay nowhere at all. 

    All of this stress builds, and can lower the immune system, which means a lower capacity to fight infections. These issues can snowball into one another, and a problem in one environment can potentiate the problems in others. One of the best ways to care for these individuals is to donate funds to them, in order to provide them with adequate shelter, and a place to be able to rest and recover. This virus does not discriminate, and all humans deserve to have access to ways of keeping healthy.

Minorities in the Homeless Population

Have you paid attention to those you see on the side of the road, often holding a cardboard sign? Sure, you probably notice them, but what do you notice about them? 

Something that has probably passed many by is the glaring racial disparity among the homeless population. This graphic provides a helpful summary of the proportions of minorities who make up the homeless population in America versus the general population. 

From National Alliance to End Homelessness

What does this discrepancy tell you about systemic racism and our economy? In our efforts to eliminate homelessness, we must also eliminate racism from all parts of society. Why else would there be such disparity between the two kinds of populations? 

For more eye-opening facts about racial disparities in homelessness, visit the National Alliance to End Homelessness and the National Coalition for the Homeless.

Myths about Homelessness

Photo by Steve Knutson on Unsplash

What do you think about when you heard the word homeless? You may think of tents, cardboard signs, addiction, sickness, shelters, hunger, cold, helpless, dirty, vulnerable, and likely many other words. But, what if your impression of homelessness was skewed?

Here are a few myths of homelessness that people all too easily believe.

Myth: Homeless people are addicts.

Truth: Only a portion of homeless people actually struggle with substance abuse. According to SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), only one third of the homeless population struggle with substance abuse. https://www.vox.com/2015/1/15/7552441/homeless-facts-myths


Myth: Homeless people have mental illnesses.

Truth: Mental illness is definitely higher in the homeless population – about 1 in 4 homeless people struggle with severe mental illness. This statistic only reflects those living in shelters, not to mention those who are still living on the streets. While mental illness is prevalent, it is not the main cause of homelessness. Unaffordable housing, unemployment, and poverty are the top three causes of homelessness. (http://www.usmayors.org/pressreleases/uploads/2014/1211-report-hh.pdf)


Myth: If homeless people get a job, they will no longer have to be houseless.

Truth: While getting a job may certainly help someone’s situation, housing prices are so expensive that even when working full time at a minimum wage job, someone could still not afford to rent or purchase a housing unit for themselves. The National Low income Housing Coalition found that someone would have to work between 69-174 hours a week to pay for an affordable two bedroom rental unit as the federal government defines “affordable” as 30 percent of a person’s income. “A full-time minimum wage worker couldn't afford a one- or two-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent, a standard set by the federal government, in any state.” (https://www.vox.com/2015/1/15/7552441/homeless-facts-myths) Many homeless people do some paid work, but not enough to help remove them from their situation. Lack of permanent address, access to showers, and transportation also make it difficult to maintain regular work. (https://www.homelesshub.ca/about-homelessness/homelessness-101/myths-and-questions-about-homelessness)

For more information on other myths and facts, visit:

https://www.homelesshub.ca/about-homelessness/homelessness-101/myths-and-questions-about-homelessness

https://www.vox.com/2015/1/15/7552441/homeless-facts-myths

Reducing LGBTQ+ Homelessness Starts With Acceptance

With the constant harboring of conservative families and lack of proper education on parenthood, queer youths and adults are being thrown out on a global scale for trying to be themselves. If you are someone with any sort of privilege (i.e. being straight/cisgender, male, white, financially stable, etc.), it's important to understand the trials and tribulations that minorities face on a daily basis. What you can do to address this situation is seek out accessible resources, digital or analog, that provide unbiased information about LGBTQ+ communities, both local and online. Below is some basic information about common attributes and traits that queer people associate themselves with. There is plenty more information to be learned in the long run, and people are indeed capable of learning it, but consider these as a start for your path to understanding and accepting queer culture.

Sexual Orientations:
Gay - https://www.dictionary.com/browse/gay
Lesbian - https://www.dictionary.com/browse/lesbian
Bisexual - https://www.dictionary.com/browse/bisexual
Pansexual/Omnisexual - https://www.dictionary.com/browse/pansexual
Demisexual - https://www.dictionary.com/e/gender-sexuality/demisexual
Asexual - https://www.dictionary.com/browse/asexual

Gender Identities:
Cisgender - https://www.dictionary.com/browse/cisgender
Transgender - https://www.dictionary.com/browse/transgender
Non-binary - https://www.dictionary.com/browse/nonbinary
Gender-neutral - https://www.dictionary.com/browse/gender-neutral
Gender-fluid - https://www.dictionary.com/browse/gender-fluid
Agender - https://www.dictionary.com/browse/agender
Two-spirit - https://www.dictionary.com/browse/two-spirit

Pronouns:
He/him - https://pronoun.is/he
She/her - https://pronoun.is/she
They/them - https://pronoun.is/they/.../themselves
Ze/hir - https://pronoun.is/ze/hir
Ze/zir - https://pronoun.is/ze/zir
Xey/xem - https://pronoun.is/xey/xem/xyr
Other pronouns - https://pronoun.is/all-pronouns

Where can you find information on homeless youth?

   Teenagers are usually thought of as secretive towards family members. Closed doors and short answers with no indication of what they’re really thinking. If a teenager also identifies as LGBTQ+ and is not out to their family, they could be even more withdrawn than others. While it may seem like many parents probably just want to know what’s going on with them and how they’re feeling, that is not the case with every family.
    It's no secret that recently the theme around here has been about homeless LGBTQ+ youth. While many attempts have been made to compile an archive of all the information out there, the Human Rights Campaign has compiled a helpful, and useful list of resources and information to help people from all sorts of backgrounds! The Human Rights Campaign also has many reports done through 2018 listing the importance and prevalence of homeless LGBTQ+ youth and how it still remains an issue today.

You can find the report and browse all the other information that they have compiled here: https://www.hrc.org/resources/2018-lgbtq-youth-report.

Organizations, Support Groups, and Business for Racial Equality in Portland, OR.

    While most of us are either working at home or working hard in the outside world to survive the economic droop, we're are still very much living during a time where people are suffering at the hands of injustice. The best solution for community sustenance consists of a select variety of actions. Below is a list of groups and business that you can support in order to make change in the city of Portland, as well as some resources that can be used to educate yourself on various issues regarding recent events, and the history of systematic discrimination in the city.

How Our Cities Architecture harm our Houseless Communities

Anti-design is a newer trend in design in urban planning, the purpose of which is to ensure that areas are only being used for their intended use preventing people from using the area in undesirable ways. But these design tactics are often taken to extremes and can make the area ugly and almost unusable to the public. In Portland from the university district to Chinatown than to the south Waterfront you can find hostile or anti-design that was taken too far or was impractical to have in place. The main use of anti-design is to keep houseless from existing in these places or to make the place uncomfortable to exist in just these areas.

Examples that are often found are using stadium lights at night in open areas, in Portland we see this in Pioneer Square to the multiple areas that make it uncomfortable to lay down or sit. In many cases, these anti-design choices are used to keep people from destroying places from skateboarding or just to limit how long one will feel comfortable in these areas. Now anti-design is wrong creates dangerous places for people and makes it harder for those who do not have a home to find a safe place to exist. This trend in anti-design needs to be ended as it harms so many people and makes so many places so uncomfortable and unsafe. We must take action to remove these anti-design designs.

It is time to take action and here is a place to start that will take only moments to help! As well as articles to further your education in anti-design.

https://www.change.org/p/mayor-ted-wheeler-petition-for-city-of-portland-to-adopt-a-compassionate-response-to-homelessness

 

 

https://www.streetroots.org/news/2019/06/07/you-are-not-welcome-here-anti-homeless-architecture-crops-nationwide

 

 

 

 

LGBTQ Youth and Mental Health

It's been shown that LGBTQ youth suffer from higher rates of anxiety and fear for wellbeing than heterosexual, cisgendered youth in the same areas and age brackets. This is due to fears of intolerance from family members, subsequent homelessness, and hate-fueled violence. Ninety-five percent of those interviewed for the Washington Post article reported having difficulty sleeping, and it's no wonder. If you are constantly fearing for your safety and struggling with anxiety, that will logically cause you to struggle to fall asleep, and lack of sleep has been shown to negatively impact mental health. 

Concerning rates of depression and suicide have also been reported in LGBTQ youth, which once again connects to how acceptance affects mental health.

If anything I hope this post and linked articles demonstrates the importance of mental health resources for LGBTQ youth, and how the need for acceptance in their lives quite literally affects their health, both mental and physical. The time is now to help LGBTQ youth, especially in these times where they may be trapped inside homes and situations with people that are unhealthy for them. 

Even if you are not directly affected by this, it demonstrates the need for mental health assistance in our communities, particularly in those at higher risk of depression and suicide.

To learn more, follow these links:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/2018/05/14/083b9ae4-57ab-11e8-b656-a5f8c2a9295d_story.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4887282/

How Hostile Design Negatively Affects the Houseless Population

Hostile design is an umbrella term that encapsulates any architecture that is intended to be used against people, particularly to exclude houseless individuals from specific areas. Some examples of this include crossbars on benches, spikes in underpasses, and awning gaps. Not only are these active choices made against people, they cost additional money that could be funneled into support systems that would help these same people stay off of the streets. It is time to look at these structures as what they are — a symbol devoid of compassion that advocates for reducing accessibility — and invest in support systems and organizations that benefit houseless people instead.

Organizations such as HostileDesign.org work to have these harmful structures removed through several campaigns, including one where anyone can participate. This campaign involves placing stickers on pieces of hostile design in participants' communities, which provide information to those reading and urging that the structure be modified or removed.

For more information on hostile design, and to support having these structures removed, visit the following links:

https://hostiledesign.org/

https://interestingengineering.com/15-examples-anti-homeless-hostile-architecture-that-you-probably-never-noticed-before

Supporting Homeless Youth

Much of the homeless community is, surprisingly, young teenagers and kids. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 700,000 unaccompanied minors remain homeless. As a result of this, education is generally not at the forefront of these kids minds, as finding shelter and food & water is necessary for their fight to live. 

The youth face many difficulties caused by various factors that leave them on the streets. They are often left with little guidance or opportunities to help them recover from things like addiction, abuse, poverty, mental-health issues, and more. I strongly believe It’s important for the youth to be encouraged and supported, not only within education but for their future goals. According to the U.S. Department of Education, homeless youth have legal educational rights (Every Student Succeeds Act) for the protection of support and safety to build them a better future. Many of these children and teens, unfortunately, are acting in this alone. Certain circumstances may have gotten them where they are today but they are need of physical and emotional support to help them in their journey. Making the youth feel safe, appreciated, and supported can start a chain reaction for those around them. Keeping them off the streets and free from the dangers they may face is important.

As a country with many tools and resources, it is important to open our eyes to those struggling right down the street from us or those we pass on our way to work. Education is a helpful way to encourage children and teens to feel they have a future to succeed and to protect their rights regardless of the trouble that may follow them. 

There are so many online tools that can help support homeless youth and more. This link provides helpful information of contacts and programs that can truly help the homeless youth feel backed and hopeful: https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/619

Resources:

https://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/homeless-and-runaway-youth.aspx

https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/education-department-releases-guidance-homeless-children-and-youth

Written by: Brianna Clifford

What causes Homelessness?

Some of us are aware or have experienced some of the effects of homelessness. Especially for those who live in Oregon, or more specifically Portland. But do we know about what causes homelessness? 

Homelessness is a complex social issue with a variety of economic and social factors that causes it. Each experience is unique to the person who is affected by homelessness. There are complex set of circumstances like addictions, family problems and mental illness to name a few that are combined with various structural forces that lead to poverty and homelessness.

So what are some of the reasons people become homeless?

These are some of the factors that causes it:

Foreclosure

A legal process in which a lender attempts to recover the balance of a loan from a borrower who has stopped making payments to the lender by forcing the sale of the asset used as the collateral for the loan. This issue has tremendously increases the number of people experiencing homelessness.

Poverty

Homelessness and poverty are inevitably linked. The poor are not able to pay for housing, food, childcare, healthcare and education. 

Work Opportunities Decreasing

Stagnant or falling means of incomes and less job opportunities with few benefits are one of the reasons why homelessness occurs.

Lack of Public Assistance

There are less availability of public assistance that is the direct result of federal and state cuts which have affected those in communities with less resources which have caused poverty and homelessness to increase.

Mental Illness

Mental health issues are a rising concern in this country and our community. And it is one on of the contributing factor to homelessness. This is an issue as individuals who are affected by it are unable to carry out essential aspects of daily life such as self-care and household management. Furthermore, mental illnesses also prevents people from sustaining stable relationships and this results in them pushing away family and friends. 

As mentioned earlier, homelessness is a complex issue that cannot be categorized to just these five factors. There might be other forces that causes it. But it's important to be more knowledgeable about what causes homelessness to help us understand the issue more and perhaps to help others.

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3766254/

https://www.solutionsfdl.com/resources/what-causes-homelessness/
https://sputniknews.com/us/201508211026038367/ (Photograph)

Types of Homelessness

Often when we think about homelessness, we tend to picture an individuals who lives on the streets, with a sleeping bag or pushing a cart. However, are you aware that there are different types of homelessness? Well, according to the Book Industry Charitable Foundation, there are three types:

• Situational or transitional/short-term: a person forced into homelessness due to a life event (loss of a job, disaster, losing a family member who is the breadwinner, domestic violence).

• Episodic or cyclical: a person that falls in and out of being homeless, many times due to mental illness or addiction.

• Chronic/long term: a person who is homeless for long periods of time usually because they don’t have the resources (family, friends, etc.) to change their living situation. These too are often people experiencing ongoing mental health or addiction issues.

Additionally, according to JOIN PDX, there is also a fourth type that isn’t usually documented or talked about and that is:

• Provisionally occupied: also referred to as ‘hidden homelessness’, a person who temporarily live with others (couch-surf) without any guarantee that they will be able to stay long-term and without immediate prospects of acquiring permanent housing. This describes people who are staying with friends or relatives and are considered ‘hidden’ as they do not access homeless supports and services.

It’s important to be educated on the different types of homelessness as it isn’t simply just defined as one thing. If you’re interested in learning more or volunteering with JOIN PDX, visit their website through the link below:
https://joinpdx.org/

Resources:

https://www.bincfoundation.org/what-is-homelessness/

https://invisiblepeople.tv/understanding-the-different-types-of-homelessness/