Tent City?

[sumas]

I for one appreciate that their little tent city is drawing attention to the plight of the homeless. Trust me it's true, remember, there but for the Grace of God go I.

I adopt people where ever I go, it is in our nature. Laugh, taunt whatever you want. Live in your little plaster board homes. For all others who care, I really wish you a wonderful Christmas and a tranquil New Year.

Funny thing, the less people have the more they share, the more people have they tend to hoard. Please remember folks, you can't take it with you.

[SWMAP]

Sumas, you make so many assumptions. My home is 115 years old in the shadow of the Ambassador Bridge. I grew up on a canal on the east side of Detroit - on Scripps Ave.
i am the 10th generation on my mother's side to make my home in Detroit [[my mother's line traced as a descendant of early French Ribbon farmers) and the 4th generation on my Father's side [[they left Ireland in 1845 and settled on Iron St. In Detroit).
So have I established that I am not from the suburbs and that I am a Real Detroiter - just like you?
But I hope that I am not like you at all. I'm one of those modest people who hope to do good without trumpeting myself, without dramatizing myself, without making everything about myself.
I don't want even my right hand to know what my left hand is doing for others. And when I pray I go into my closet and pray so that I don't parade my virtue.
Why must we always be treated to how wonderful you are?

[Honky Tonk]

The Tent city on Lafayette is right next to our co op. The residents are none too pleased for obvious reasons. They do not feel safe with the people milling around. There are obvious sanitary issues. We are not too thrilled with people defecating and urinating in the open as well as littering garbage in areas we work hard to keep clean and safe. Its also highly illegal to be setting up home there. I dont think the concerns are ill placed. Do you want this next to your home? These people obviuosly need help, and we need to figure this out, however you cant just let these settlements take over city areas for the above mentioned reasons.

The DPD said no one has complained. You know what you have to do. Get a petition together and if the DPD still refuses to do their job, contact your council rep, then start moving up the chain of command. Once they hunker in, you're going to have a harder time getting them out. These neighborhood do-gooders are happy to help, as long as they're on your turf and not on theirs.

[Bham1982]

Since B'ham has no issue with it, I'll personally pay for a chartered bus to drive these folks to downtown Birmingham to camp there overnight. At least they'll encounter richer clientele to panhandle, thus winning.

Nice strawman, except tent cities have nothing to do with panhandling. Why do you assume they're the same people?

And you are certainly welcome to drive them up to Birmingham. They have a right to be here, and we already have homeless folks here.

[Richard]

Welcome to the post modern gilded age.

http://www.counterpunch.org/2011/09/...rn-gilded-age/

[sumas]

Sumas, you make so many assumptions. My home is 115 years old in the shadow of the Ambassador Bridge. I grew up on a canal on the east side of Detroit - on Scripps Ave.
i am the 10th generation on my mother's side to make my home in Detroit [[my mother's line traced as a descendant of early French Ribbon farmers) and the 4th generation on my Father's side [[they left Ireland in 1845 and settled on Iron St. In Detroit).
So have I established that I am not from the suburbs and that I am a Real Detroiter - just like you?
But I hope that I am not like you at all. I'm one of those modest people who hope to do good without trumpeting myself, without dramatizing myself, without making everything about myself.
I don't want even my right hand to know what my left hand is doing for others. And when I pray I go into my closet and pray so that I don't parade my virtue.
Why must we always be treated to how wonderful you are?

A hearty holiday to you too. Since so many people concure you must all be right. I am a braggart, self agrandizing, a real Detroiter, a liar, trumpeting fool, no doubt others can add to that list.

So I will go with the flow, I am fucking wonderful, Gods gift to the world, herald the second coming, anointed by God. Have at it. Look at your post, a bit self congradulatory. So it goes.

I love the word "assume". Use it and and it makes an ass out of you and me. I may be be an ass but then so are you!

[belleislerunner]

This isn't about homelessness.

This is a disrespect for authority and rules.

They even claimed they didn't like the rules of the shelter.

It's a power/authority trip and they're just looking for attention.

Soon the temperatures will be highs of zeros and these folks can be on to their next pet attention deprivation project.

[motz]

Maybe for a 6 figure corporate position, I would say not. But construction sites, restaurants, and other businesses do pick up day laborers for meager positions @ minimum wage, which someone has already oh this forum has pointed out. Finding that job isn't easy but it's an "IN" and a start. Lately, there's been an influx in Detroit of young, able bodied, men and women, sitting on corners and asking for hand-outs. To me, they don't appear to be locals. One woman I know for sure I've seen in various locations around Metro-Detroit, as far as 8 miles out. Stop shaming the employed who are constantly being hit on to give more, and let them live out their lives in peace, and enjoy what they've earned.

That's not consistent work. You need consistent work in order to build a solid nest egg, if you will. "Day laboring" is a start, sure, but it's not consistent work and your employment could stop at the end of the day. Plus, you aren't covered by federal and state employment laws, so it's very easy to get screwed.

And the last part about being asked to give more... I was going to type up some lengthy response about how damn selfish that sounds, but it'd fall on deaf ears. Enjoy your extra shinies you get to get buried with I guess?

[Dan Wesson]

If them tents ain't set up for stoves or pitched over one of them manholes where steam escapes they will disappear.

Abandoned homes will start to look much better for survival sakes. But, they won't be in the public eye.

[Honky Tonk]

That's not consistent work. You need consistent work in order to build a solid nest egg, if you will. "Day laboring" is a start, sure, but it's not consistent work and your employment could stop at the end of the day. Plus, you aren't covered by federal and state employment laws, so it's very easy to get screwed.

And the last part about being asked to give more... I was going to type up some lengthy response about how damn selfish that sounds, but it'd fall on deaf ears. Enjoy your extra shinies you get to get buried with I guess?

Thanx for your wonderful insight into the day-labor market, but I've been there and done that. As far as donating, feel free to give as much as you want, no one's stopping you. If I do decide to be buried with this mass wealth I've accumulated, I'll rest easy knowing I earned what I have, and didn't sit on my can wining how bad off I am and how life is unfair. "Gimme, gimme, gimme", those honky tonk blues.

[Hermod]

That's not consistent work. You need consistent work in order to build a solid nest egg, if you will. "Day laboring" is a start, sure, but it's not consistent work and your employment could stop at the end of the day. Plus, you aren't covered by federal and state employment laws, so it's very easy to get screwed.

yes, but if your day labor boss is a decent person and you work diligently and reliably for him, that is your ticket to the permanent job.

[sumas]

I have been there 3 times now. The first to ask what they needed, the second to deliver items, got more info and returned today with requests. Mostly they needed caste iron skillets for cooking and candles. Delivered that and one better a really nice camp lantern that is battery operated. It isn't ours. We lost power for one and a half weeks and got it on loan. We did ask permission to pay it forward. Permission granted. Also a large plastic covered bin to keep some of their stuff dry.

I do worry about sanition.

The goal is not to create a permanent tent city but jobs/decent housing. I support the protest. Things can be done to assist but no money and no resources requires outside help. Most homeless shelters are mockeries. Do your own homework.

We plan to host them here and catelogue the variouus needs and talents. I'll work the phones to get each and everyone some real assistance. A local church gives them one meal a day, shower, once a week and laundry priveledges once a week.

Our society should be able to provide better than that.

Ste Sumas

[aj3647]

end all contact with friends/family/loved ones,

What the hell does losing your job and falling on hard times have to do with "cutting off all contact with your family?" If it's no fault of your own, then your family and friends would be there to support you.

[sumas]

G-DDT I forgot to say nice post. So true when you said that a society can be truly be judged by how it treats the lowest citizens [[paraphrase, I know).

[RaumVogel]

I was homeless in the D for a while in the late 80's.I could have gotten more support from family,but I didn't want to be a burden to them.The one thing I thought about the most was...why so many vacant businesses and no homeless people could occupy them.If society along with corporations could get with the program,they could allow these places to be occupied so people don't have to freeze and starve.I'm a capitalist,but believe social programs like this can only benefit everyone. Correct me if I'm wrong,but I personally believe that most homeless would be very inclined to accept any program that will allow them to stay warm and eat food.

[Wesley Mouch]

Thank you Sumas and Jerry. As a member of the National Coalition for the Homeless I've cataloged quite a list of the many hideous things that can go wrong with shelters. I will spare you the laundry list, but I will say the two basic categories are: overbearing facilities that create a Procrustean and cult-like control [[an aberration to all liberties-be they promised of God or of this country-allowed all humanity) while food/facilities may very well be lacking [[I highly recommend finding out who the "Deeper Life" church of Tampa is and the problems they've caused here, and in Louisville, San Antonio, and Roanoke, etc.). Or you have a facility that just simply doesn't care, and the facility is filthy, filled with bedbugs, and they will make little attempts to intervene should one's life/possessions be in danger.

Are the shelters run by the Catholic Church the same?

[Willi]

Raise taxes, build shelters, that will fix it.

How much do you want to spend, personally, out of pocket, your paycheck, to help out ?

Everything can be fixed with money, right ?

Share the money, or is that a bad thing, a communist or socialistic principle people are opposed to, would fight against. Pick sides please

[sumas]

I have no issues with charity, money or otherwise. I prefer to find out the needs and as we can asssist and yes I have given them money. We live on a fixed income could even qualify for food stamps but prefer not to go that road. We do just fine but we have many advantages that these people don't. We pay our bills, budget our money, our house is paid for. a decent car... advantages these people don't have. Only one, Robert has a cell phone. We don't live far and if a medical emergency or something really bad happens they have my phone #.

[sumas]

Are the shelters run by the Catholic Church the same?

Don't really know except that the Caputians will put people up in a nearby motel where they can walk to the soup kitchen until a shelter is located. The salvation army shelter is supurb but stays are time limited and people can't return for 6 months, there are a few other quasi decent ones on the eastside if memory serves me right, one on Kercheval is near a library so people with skills can hunt for work. Mostly they really suck. Frankly it makes me sick I even know this much. We have hosted on the request of local churches for brief periiods carefully screened homeless men or women to get them on their feet, they typically have already secured /gotten a job and need to be neat clean and on time. This allows them to save a bit get on their feet and get a place of their own.The churches provide bus tickets clothes etc.They come with a "return" policy with sounds just horrible. Really have never had a problem. We do not do this often. Frankly the story needs to be compelling.

[sumas]

I don't need to make this a lecture on charity. Haven't met all at the tent city. Undoubtedly some may have substance or mental issues. There is help like DHS, social servive orgs like crossroad, Catholic service etc.
For several years we have gone to food distribution centers because so many of our neighbors are elderly, Handicaped, alone in the world, poor, no transport type issues. Other neighbors help distribute. Some centers save stuff we distribute apart so we can actually run in and they load my van.

Sometimes things are funny, I was given 80 some pounds of onions, all i could think was crap I have to take this home and sort it for redelivery. Boy was I glad to see it was actually already in 3# bags. Another time I got five huge cases of greens. Couldn't have told you if it was collard or mustard I asked around as I delivered this stuff cause I had never made them myself. Got different seasoning advice but pretty much was told to wash them remove heavy veins and boil the piss out of them with a smokey turkey part. I kept a small bag and it was pretty good

[DetBill]

I get that it's illegal, but I have no problem with it. Homeless outreach should see everyone is ok, particularly in the colder months, but we have bigger fish to fry.

ok I will make a deal with you, I will step outside of my co op and hop over the human waste and garbage , get them in my car and move them next to your house,, Deal?
I have no problem with that either

[Honky Tonk]

ok I will make a deal with you, I will step outside of my co op and hop over the human waste and garbage , get them in my car and move them next to your house,, Deal?
I have no problem with that either

I drove by the encampment twice today and it looks disgusting. Papers, trash, and litter are strewn about everywhere. About a dozen able bodied young men were sitting around on chairs shooting the shit. I guess today wasn't a good day to look for employment either. The women folk are parked on all strategic corners @ I-375 & Lafayette looking forlorn and trying for handouts. Can't help but wonder what happened to the usual locals that used to be on these corners?

[sumas]

Actually you might be surprised to know, DetBill my husband and I have actually discussed that.

You fail to understand that the protest needs to be visual to a point. THEY NEED HELP.

Sanitation is terrible and I stick to my comment, pitch in with neighbors and get a port a potty. Most likely I might visit tomorrow. If I find out they can have a port a Potty, pretty sure I can russle up a donation. They can't dig a fire pit or would have delivered wood. Don't really know who they are dealing with. I most likely will find out tomorrow. Taking a large garbage can and liners.

lET ME PISS YOU OFF MORE. I could easily accomodate them. I have a very large back yard that could accomodate their tents. Rebuilt our garage this summer which we saved 5 years to do.the garage is also large, it has a 1905 vented, functional pot belly stove. A gas grill, a kettle grill, extra microwaves, toaster ovens, refrigerators, coffee pots , enough extra pots , pans, dishes and silverware for three times their number. Enough excess furniture to stock at least 3 small apartments. 4 empty bedrooms, a basement apartment and third floor suited loft. The basement apartment has a toilet ,sink and shower, steps and door to the backyard. The garage has a water feed, electric and gas feed too.

Only one problem, we live on a small disability check, those rooms are closed down, extra appliances turned off and live very frugal.Get them a portapotty or pay us 1k a month to house and hide them behind my stockade fence. Quit bitching and look to help for better accomodations/jobs/assistance for the ones that can't help themselves at all, via social help
organizations

I am working on getting them appropriate help but frankly they aren't in my backyard they are shitting in yours. Get proactive.

[RaumVogel]

Actually you might be surprised to know, DetBill my husband and I have actually discussed that.

You fail to understand that the protest needs to be visual to a point. THEY NEED HELP.

Sanitation is terrible and I stick to my comment, pitch in with neighbors and get a port a potty. Most likely I might visit tomorrow. If I find out they can have a port a Potty, pretty sure I can russle up a donation. They can't dig a fire pit or would have delivered wood. Don't really know who they are dealing with. I most likely will find out tomorrow. Taking a large garbage can and liners.

lET ME PISS YOU OFF MORE. I could easily accomadate them. I have a very large back yard that could accomadate their tents. Rebuilt our garage this summer which we saved 5 years to do.the garage is also large, it has a 1905 vented, functional pot belly stove. A gas grill, a kettle grill, extra microwaves, toaster ovens, refrigerators, coffee pots , enough extra pots , pans, dishes and silverware for three times their number. Enough excess furniture to stock at least 3 small apartments. 4 empty bedrooms, a basement apartment and third floor suited loft. The basement apartment has a toilet ,sink and shower, steps and door to the backyard. The garage has a water feed, electric and gas feed too.

Only one problem, we live on a small diasability check, those rooms are closed down, extra appliances turned off and live very frugal.Get them a portapotty or pay us 1k a month to house and hide them behind my stockade fence. Quite bitching and look to help for better accomodations/jobs/assistanse for the ones that can't help themselves at all via social help
organizations

I am working on getting them appropriate help but frankly they aren't in my backyard. Get proactive.

It sounds to me like you may be in a position to get government assistance to provide help. It could be a win/win.

[old guy]

I don't know what's going on with this situation. From what I read here, I have mixed emotions.

What I don't understand is, I have digital cameras from an Iphone to a good digital camera, a $40 Kodak point & shoot 14 mega pixel camera, a cheap cell phone camera and a digital movie cam, all of which I can shoot a photo, download it on my computer and post it within a few minutes. A picture is worth a thousand words right. I think that's what this forum is lacking these days are photos of what's going on. Let's keep it a little interesting. I rarely see photos, other than Lowells these days that tell a story others can interpret in a meaningful way. Everyone's always taking pictures constantly, but we rarely see anything here. Snap a photo, create a story. Give a bit more insight to what's going on in these situations.

Just my two cents.