Communities around the world are only slowly realizing that homelessness cannot simply be wished away, nor even aggressively bullied away by tent encampment raids, seizure of personal belongings included (tent) shelter, or criminalized (go away or go to jail)1.
Slowly, some communities are recognizing that the affordable housing crisis means homelessness for some. And it places an answerable burden on more fortunate citizens. Meeting that challenge involves a number of issues.
Health and safety are two of the biggest concerns. Reports of lack of sanitation, as well as fires, persist as problems as long as tent encampments are beaten down, and pop up again a few blocks away.
Those communities now struggling to deal with more humanity about health and safety issues are also encountering an issue of particular importance to people who are homeless — the ‘health and safety’ of their possessions. And so, for those working towards more constructive and humanitarian support of their homeless neighbours, schemes that help people who are homeless to hang onto what they own are also of importance.
Here’s a video featuring an ingenious scheme to provide safe storage, having recently celebrated its one-year anniversary, from YouTube: Homelessness Advocates Say Temporary Storage Program In Kansas City Is Successful
