By Jack Bernard, contributing columnist
PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. | Oregon is one of our nation’s most progressive states. But a small, conservative, 90 percent-white city bordering California, Grants Pass, passed a law outlawing sleeping out in open spaces including parks, streets and sidewalks. In June, all six conservative Supreme Court judges found that the Constitution’s clause …“excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted” … was not violated by the city.
Like many Americans, I never thought much about the topic of homelessness. Then I met a kind, altruistic Georgia woman who opened my eyes. Previously, I turned my head when a homeless person came my way. Since meeting this fine lady, I have had an epiphany.
I am not religious, but many Americans are. Per the most famous Jewish rabbi (Jesus), born in a stable himself, said “You always have the poor with you.” It is not morally right for me or anyone else to simply ignore homeless people.
And, from Proverbs:
- “Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.”
- “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.”
- “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
The United States has been shown to have a much higher rate of homelessness than many other nations, although accurate statistics are hard to come by. In the world’s only superpower, being poor and homeless is a growing problem that’s not going away. In our country, we have seen housing as a reward, essentially a privilege to those who have straightened out their lives.
The question facing us becomes “What is the best way for the USA to deal with homelessness”? One way to proceed is through examining best practices in other countries. determining which country is doing it right.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has zeroed in on Finland, with Europe’s lowest rate of homelessness.
Finland was once like the United States. Residents could be housed if they met certain conditions, like being drug-free or sober. But a few decades ago, Finland discovered that its system was not effective. Therefore, Finland changed. It now views housing as a right, not a privilege.
The nation’s model is “Housing First.” Residents must be housed, period, regardless of factors such as employment history, drug use and mental illness. And Finland has implemented this policy via a mandate that 25 percent of housing will be “affordable” funding. The proportion of Finish homeless has dropped dramatically.
Further, as opposed to big U.S. cities where low-income people are segregated into crime-ridden “projects,” the Finnish government mandated that public housing be spread throughout all neighborhoods and cities, including higher income areas.
True integration of the formerly homeless into the general population pushes previously unhoused people to view the world differently, more positively.
Conservatives constantly say we are a Judeo-Christian nation. Maybe the USA should try this charitable, successful model as well?
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