Homelessness

[grandmoon]

I have been to a meeting with other welfare group and we were discussing homelessness, and how we could solve the problem  I found it very interesting as there area number of reasons for people being homeless.

Each of the groups were representing the own group and had ideas of how to solve the problem that their clients have.

I have been sitting here trying  to come up with ideas to take to the next meeting.

Any ideas please.

[harley_babes_hoard]

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@bright.ton42 wrote:

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@polksaladallie wrote:

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@cmcoins2000 wrote:

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@grandmoon wrote:

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@polksaladallie wrote:

The churches could solve the problem by tomorrow, if they were so inclined.

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How ??

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Perhaps put some of their considerable wealth where their mouth is.

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Plus they have huge buildings (in the main) empty for 6 and a half days each week. 

They throw away perfectly good clothes and furniture which are donated to them.

They do very little to educate those people who are unable to manage their finances.  None of us were ever taught, and most of us have learned in a very painful way.  Some have never sorted it out.

They will not help anyone, even with a simple question, unless that person's name is registered on a list.   That way they claim a certain amount of funding from the government.  Certainly the richest of them all does this.

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And you know this how?  Have you ever worked for a church organisation?  Do you realize the amenities they offer in the areas of advice, mentoring , general assistance, social work?   It's all out there for clients to access if they want but as I said many don't want it. 

They throw away perfectly good clothes and furniture which are donated to them.

Who does this, I'm genuinely interested?   If the goods are'perfectly' good they are used unless you've actually seen this happen.  . 

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you can't even donate now to charities if something has any marks on it. The salvos in particular come and inspect the goods like mattresses and lounges etc and if they have slight marks on them they will not take them. So they would rather the poor go without. That's why I will never give to a charity like them.

[aps1080]

Go to any charity op shop. Unless it is perfect, it gets thrown out.

[polksaladallie]

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@harley_babes_hoard wrote:

you can't even donate now to charities if something has any marks on it. The salvos in particular come and inspect the goods like mattresses and lounges etc and if they have slight marks on them they will not take them. So they would rather the poor go without. That's why I will never give to a charity like them.

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That is true.  It is not only the Salvos either.

I wish there had been any furniture at all for free when my babies and I needed it.  Some furniture that they ditch now would have been wonderful then.  So there are people now who would be grateful for any help, rather than have to pay for it. 

Some op shops have reasonable prices, but some are off the charts. 

[harley_babes_hoard]

I have noticed more and more that larger items still in good condition are being put on the nature strip in our area with "Free" signs on them. At least they go to people who want/need them.

[lind9650]

Not only do the items have to be in perfect condition, clothes and linen have to be dry cleaned or washed and ironed as well. I used to volunteer for ironing clothes once a week, then they decided it cost elictricity and declared only to accept ironed or dry cleaned clothing and linen.

I had an expensive skirt dry cleaned. Cost me $14.-. Next thing I saw it on the hanger in the Op Shop marked for $4.- . I would have rather given some needy person the skirt and the $14.-.

No more charity shop volunteering for me.

Erica

[bright.ton42]

you can't even donate now to charities if something has any marks on it. The salvos in particular come and inspect the goods like mattresses and lounges etc and if they have slight marks on them they will not take them. So they would rather the poor go without. That's why I will never give to a charity like them.

A lot of that is due to the possibility of suing.    I was told a good couch I wanted to donate wasn't acceptable because it was a bit saggy and if a buyer hurt themselves on it they could sue, not me but the Salvos.  .    It's just ridiculous.  I can understand with mattresses and bedding as

they could have bedbugs.

[aps1080]

Re prices, i think some don't know how to price stuff.

Not the cheap stuff but the better quality stuff.

I used to buy old clothes in beige or green for hunting, still do occasionally but new stuff is so cheap now it is hardly
Worth buying 2nd hand.

[harley_babes_hoard]

I'm not talking about stained mattress filth, I'm taking about like new mattresses that I myself would have no problem sleeping on.. They had small about of what looked like grease/dirt on one end where the MIL had the standing up in her garage. Just crazy. Unfortunately charities are only interested in the cash. The ones that suffer are the homeless unfortunately.

[lloydslights]

What does a charity do with the cash, then?

DEB

[grandmoon]

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@bright.ton42 wrote:

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@grandmoon wrote:

I have been to a meeting with other welfare group and we were discussing homelessness, and how we could solve the problem  I found it very interesting as there area number of reasons for people being homeless.

Each of the groups were representing the own group and had ideas of how to solve the problem that their clients have.

I have been sitting here trying  to come up with ideas to take to the next meeting.

Any ideas please.

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I have worked closely with homelessness when I worked in welfare and indeed there are a number of reasons, one being that many prefer to live on the streets.  Many I know were offered housing but it is not free....  it is affordable for those on a pension but many choose to keep every cent for other things. 

I'm trying to think of constructive ideas, but sorry I'm finding it hard.   There is a shortage of public housing and priorities given like say a single mum with kids over a single male. Some of the public housing is rotten,  others newish and quite classy. 

What were some of the suggestions grandmoon, I'd be interested to know?. 

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There were very few suggests made except for more public housing.  The suggest that housing branch should force people who are in 3 or 4 bedroom homes, who family have moved out to be given 1 bedroom flats..  One group were asking that they be allow to develop an area for those homeless who don't want to live in house or flats be able to pitch their tents and have toilets and showers available for them to use.