1. What was your initial response/reaction to this piece?
The article provides a strong dose of reality and dispelled any existing perceptions I had about homelessness. The face of homelessness is no longer the mentally ill or the substance abuser. It is also the working class. In fact, there are economic forces at play that can lead to housing instability and eventually homelessness. The individuals depicted in the piece are more like you and I than we think. The reality is that many people are only a paycheck away from being homeless and that’s a scary thought. I also found the relationship between the system that were instituted to aid those in need, are often the ones perpetuating the problems.
2. Does this challenge your notion of what…show more content… She believes that there is more money involved in being homeless than becoming productive in society. The article goes on to say. That facilities like Help 1, are paid a hefty sum on monthly basis to provide a room for someone to live in. Therefore, the cycle continues because instead of redirecting these funds to help pay for permanent housing it is being spent on a short term solution. How is that for being fair?
4. Do you agree with all of the rules faced by people in shelters? Explain your response.
I do believe that rules should exist to maintain order and structure. However beyond that, I find some of the rules that exist for people in the shelter system are just ridiculous. For Nyzette Tyson and her family some of these have been either a barrier for to find stable housing or have caused undue stress. For example, she had been denied housing several times because she was told that she already had somewhere to live. When in reality, this was not an apartment or house that she owned. It was a homes belonging to her mother-in-law who allowed them to live there briefly. There were also other rules that serve their purpose but was poorly executed. For example the factors that could deem a family or individual
