the reality of homeless shelters: why people stay outside

[scruffy]

When I lived in a California homeless shelter, my hope turned into despair | Opinion

An unhoused man who lives in Orange explains why he and other Californians who lack a permanent home are so reluctant to stay in shelters.

calmatters.org

It's the same all over, not just in California.

Your best bet in Los Angeles is to go for an emergency Section 8. You'll get a rat infested 1 bedroom apartment in the ghetto, but at least it'll be yours.

You'll be able to take a shower any time you want, which you can't do in a shelter. You can also have guests, which you can't do in a shelter. With luck you'll get food stamps too, so you can keep your own food in your own cupboards, which you can't do in a shelter.

The only thing you can't do with a Section 8, is go to work. Because if you make too much money, you'll lose your apartment.

 

[itfitzme]

When I lived in a California homeless shelter, my hope turned into despair | Opinion

An unhoused man who lives in Orange explains why he and other Californians who lack a permanent home are so reluctant to stay in shelters.

calmatters.org

It's the same all over, not just in California.

Your best bet in Los Angeles is to go for an emergency Section 8. You'll get a rat infested 1 bedroom apartment in the ghetto, but at least it'll be yours.

You'll be able to take a shower any time you want, which you can't do in a shelter. You can also have guests, which you can't do in a shelter. With luck you'll get food stamps too, so you can keep your own food in your own cupboards, which you can't do in a shelter.

The only thing you can't do with a Section 8, is go to work. Because if you make too much money, you'll lose your apartment.

The homeless shelters are miserable. There are fine if you want to fight with people constantly.

It is impossible to get a job once homeless. Being part of society requires having a home address. Not to mention the sense of shame that comes with answering the question of "what's your address" and having none. It's a personal thing.

Once you have a job, you can afford to pay for the apartment. Welfare to Work programs have been very successful and make sense. For every two dollars earned, you lose one dollar in welfare. That creates an excellent incentive to do better.

 

[JOSweetHeart]

Maybe people don't want to end up with bed bugs. I allowed one of my cousins to stay with me for a few days after he was kicked out of a homeless shelter several years ago. I will never do that again.

God bless you and my cousin always!!!

Holly