I've been homeless and a street-sleeper. In my experience this is a great thing to do, but it is one of many things that needs doing.
On pure housing, a small space is a great shelter, can provide security. But it can also be a trap. It should be viewed as temporary housing only, for a transition period between the streets and the stability and security of a "normal" living space.
It's a trap as it will be used against you, perceived by others as a weakness or reason to treat you differently, to discriminate.
It's a trap as it will impair ones ability to have the essential social mobility to at least get a firm hold on the lower rungs of society.
But it is needed.
And needed in addition to starter-homes, is a supportive community, mental health advice. It isn't enough to give a room with a roof and walk away, by the time someone reaches this point they are dysfunctional and need help figuring out how to function within the society of others. The entire time homeless is a trauma, and a trauma probably preceded it.
A room with a roof is something essential, but the person is likely suffering PTSD and has various other issues.
There is no magic cure to homelessness, but this is one of many small things that can help.
And when I first came off the street, I didn't know what to do. I put a mattress on the floor of the living room, next to a camping stove. The bedroom was a cavern I never visited, the kitchen just a place where there was a tap, and I didn't understand how there could be so much cupboard space. I basically backed into a corner of one room, I couldn't comprehend the space or what I was supposed to do with it. I didn't even have a carpet, and the only seat was ripped from a car. A roof isn't enough unfortunately.
On pure housing, a small space is a great shelter, can provide security. But it can also be a trap. It should be viewed as temporary housing only, for a transition period between the streets and the stability and security of a "normal" living space.
It's a trap as it will be used against you, perceived by others as a weakness or reason to treat you differently, to discriminate.
It's a trap as it will impair ones ability to have the essential social mobility to at least get a firm hold on the lower rungs of society.
But it is needed.
And needed in addition to starter-homes, is a supportive community, mental health advice. It isn't enough to give a room with a roof and walk away, by the time someone reaches this point they are dysfunctional and need help figuring out how to function within the society of others. The entire time homeless is a trauma, and a trauma probably preceded it.
A room with a roof is something essential, but the person is likely suffering PTSD and has various other issues.
There is no magic cure to homelessness, but this is one of many small things that can help.
And when I first came off the street, I didn't know what to do. I put a mattress on the floor of the living room, next to a camping stove. The bedroom was a cavern I never visited, the kitchen just a place where there was a tap, and I didn't understand how there could be so much cupboard space. I basically backed into a corner of one room, I couldn't comprehend the space or what I was supposed to do with it. I didn't even have a carpet, and the only seat was ripped from a car. A roof isn't enough unfortunately.