Kucinich on the Bailout
HUD Claims Reduction in US Homeless
Many homeless advocates dispute HUD’s recent announcement that the number of homeless people in the US decreased by 12 percent between 2005 and 2007.
It seems that “the declines occurred because HUD changed guidelines in late 2006 for counting the homeless, requiring an interview with each person counted. In 2005, counters could use their judgment to determine if a person was homeless.”
It’s easy for the the government to reduce the amount of homeless people by changing the definition to include less people. Some cities include people who are living with relatives, because they don’t have a permanent home. The Federal government, however, decided not to include them anymore. Problem solved.
Claiming that there’s less homeless people is dangerous because Bush will now claim that cities don’t need as much help or funding. HUD, and the right, shouldn’t be so quick to tout easily disputed “accomplishments.”
Dark Days
A friend of mine recently told me about Dark Days, a documentary about the homeless living in New York City’s subway tunnels. I highly recommend seeing this movie–as it’s both beautifully shot and emotionally stirring.
Below is the film in its entirety. However, I suggest renting or buying a copy to support the filmmakers.
DNC to Homeless: Don’t show your face around here
Apparently, the Democrats are trying to hide the homeless during their convention in Colorado. A group that’s helping organize the convention says it’s going to distribute 500 tickets to the movies, the zoo, and museums to the homeless to get them away from the Democratic convention. Food Not Bombs organizers also claim that Denver officials will start strictly enforcing “Come On In,” an effort to force charities that serve outdoor meals to the homeless to move indoors.
This tactic only serves two purposes. First, it lends to the right-wing’s highly pushed notion that Obama is an elitist. What could be more elitist than forcing the poorest of the poor away from, rather than invite them into, your surroundings? Even the Republicans say–at least for now–they’re not moving a local homeless shelter from their convention’s surroundings. Read more
America’s Homeless Suit up for Homeless US Cup Soccer Tournament
Note: I wrote this about three weeks ago, before the Homeless US Cup took place.
Homeless athletes from all over the US will converge on Washington, DC from June 27 though June 29 to participate in the Homeless US Cup soccer tournament. The tournament, which includes about 10 teams and 55 athletes playing short-field street soccer, will determine which players move on the Homeless World Cup this year in Melbourne, Australia. Read more
Sweeping the Homeless Under the Rug
Recent “ Sweeps” in Seattle and San Diego Leave Those with Little, Nothing
City politicians, often pressured by the public, sometimes take drastic and dehumanizing measures to deal with homelessness. San Diego County’s “Operation Clean Sweep” is among the more sinister methods.
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, “Sheriff’s deputies converged on several homeless camps in Spring Valley early yesterday, warning people to leave or be arrested.” Read more
New Cardboard Bike is Awesome
According to Sheffield Hallam University’s website, “A student at Sheffield Hallam University has created a unique cardboard bicycle, which aims to reduce thefts and encourage people to get out of
their cars and ‘on their bikes.’”
The bike costs about $30 to make and its body is biodegradable. Unfortunately, the bike can’t get wet and it can only hold a person–Americans beware–up to 168 pounds.
Source: Cardboard Bike A Cheap Solution to Theft | EcoGeek
GOP: Homelessness is Among Top Concerns
Besides pigeon dung, homelessness is among the top concerns for organizers of the Republican National Convention. Not because they want to solve the homelessness problem, but because it’s going to be right across the street from their convention.
This year’s Republican National Convention is being held at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota directly across the street from one of the city’s largest homeless shelters, the Dorothy Day Center. The Center houses about 200 people and is clearly visible from the Convention steps. Read more
Poverty Facts Released
The Urban Institute recently released a report called “Poverty Facts, 2004.”
According to the report:
In 2004, 36.6 million people—or 12.6 percent of the U.S. population—were poor. The “poverty gap”—the amount of additional income required to remove all Americans from poverty—was $105.6 billion. Poverty rates were highest for African Americans, Hispanics, women, and persons under 25. Without government benefits, 61 million people would be poor. Social Security and other social insurance programs remove 21 million people from poverty. Means tested programs remove 3 million people from poverty. If food and housing assistance were counted as income for poverty purposes, an additional 7.6 million people would be counted as not poor.
Full report: Poverty Facts, 2004
Portland Considered Most Bicycle-Friendly City in North America
Portland has become an urban planner’s dream lately–with their urban growth boundary and celebrated environmental planning.
Now Portland’s considered North America’s most bicycle-friendly city.
Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now, recently interviewed Scott Bricker, Executive Director of Portland’s Bicycle Transportation Alliance and Elly Blue, a Portland-based transportation activist about what makes Portland so bicycle friendly.
Amy’s guests were there to promote the Towards Carfree Cities Conference coming up in June.
Interview: Portland Considered Most Bicycle-Friendly City in North America
Above image from www.StreetsBlog.org.
