Round them up!

This week has been really trying for me. Not really because I work with people experiencing homelessness, but because more and more there is this truly insane us vs. them ideology building here in Colorado Springs. In recent days I've heard the following:

• "Make them move to Kansas! It's cheaper to live in Kansas!"
• "Send them to Mexico!"
• Suggestions to "round them up" and force those who are homeless to live in a designated place.
• An idea to put out landmines to deter camping.
• A heartfelt suggestion to "lop off arms" (and by "heartfelt" I mean: a black heart).
• "Can we round them up and set them on fire?"

Where is this hatred coming from? Unfortunately I believe it's because people get worked up into a frenzy by social media and news reports. In the late spring there were a handful of fires along I-25 in Colorado Springs; the media reported they were caused by "the homeless" when in actuality there weren't any camps in those areas. Yesterday there was a grassfire by the VA Hospital, once again it was reported that it was because of "the homeless" - I'm sure that investigation is still open so I can't comment like I'd like to, but I'm skeptical of that after walking the fire area. Citizens are also pissed off about all the panhandlers. I have to remind them that most aren't homeless, they are "professional panhandlers". How do we address panhandling? By encouraging people to give to legitimate organizations who are doing good vs. giving to scam artists. Because when someone's "flying a sign" that says "hungry" they're clearly lying (there are so many free meals and food pantries here).

Is Colorado Springs facing a homeless crisis? Absolutely! But it isn't solved if "they get a fucking job."

Most of those who are chronically homeless have a "dual-diagnosis", meaning they have mental health issues combined with substance abuse. The rate of homelessness went up by 48% from January 2016 to January 2017. Pikes Peak United Way did a study to look into affordable housing, and they determined that Colorado Springs is short 24,000 units of affordable housing.

Stats are just numbers, and by the numbers there were 1,415 people here in the Colorado Springs metro area who have their own story as to why they're homeless. I've met women who live outside and trade sex for safety (aka "dating"). I've met a massive family who was living in a decrepit RV - the parents and some of the children were deaf. I've met people who cannot afford rent and wind up on the street. So whether you're looking at the stats or listening to people's' stories you begin to realize that ending homelessness isn't a simple fix. And it definitely isn't solved by one entity. We, WE have to tackle this as a community. Oh and "send them back to where they came from" isn't the answer either because >75% are from here.

The cost to do nothing is great; $58,000 on average annually per chronically homeless person. We need to begin having the conversation locally and nationally about homelessness. It affects you, it affects your community and it clearly affects those who live in their car, under a bridge, in a park or along the highway.

"No culture can live if it attempts to be exclusive."

- Mahatma Gandhi