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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.”

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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.

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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. Continue reading “DNC to Homeless: Don’t show your face around here”