Change.org's End Homelessness Blog

A View from (Under) the Bridge

Shannon Moriarty — 2009-11-07T05:42:00-08:00

On paper, Leonard Grant might say that a combination of unemployment, addiction, and mental health caused his homelessness. But that's not the whole story. Even these reasons for homelessness can have their own causes.

You see, Grant tragically lost his son in a car accident, which sent his world spiraling out of control. His depression turned into drug use, his drug use made him unemployable, and without an income, he lost his home.

Grant calls the past three years of his life "dead time." This is how long he has lived under a bridge in Knox County, Tennessee - homeless. He's trying to piece his life back together, but it isn't easy. He's working to gather the legal documents he needs to apply for housing and social security. His biggest hurdle? Getting a copy of his birth certificate.

This is the story behind Grant's reasons for homelessness. It's one example of a story that could never be captured by research or statistics as they are currently reported. This is the human element of homelessness, the kind of story we might be more likely to identify with, the kind that might allow us to feel someone else's pain.

It's so simple, but so easy to forget: nobody ever plans on living under a bridge in Tennessee.

Houston Metro to Homeless: Stay Off Our Trains!

Shannon Moriarty — 2009-11-06T13:03:00-08:00

Is Houston creating a public transportation caste system?

Yesterday, at a public hearing in Housing, Metro Vice President Todd Mason made it abundantly clear that homeless people in Houston should take the bus rather than the area's light rail system. Hair Balls, the Houston Press Blog, transcribed the banter between Mason and Anthony Love, president of the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston:

Mason: The bus transit system provides more connectivity for the homeless...Metro is not in the business of attempting to put the homeless on the train. That's the signature service downtown.

Love: Is that the official position of Metro?

Mason: The board isn't going to adopt an official position.

Love: Then whose position is it?

Mason: Today it will be my personal position.

There is no indication that Houston law enforcement is forcing people of the train for being homeless (fare-hopping, though, is another story). According to Houston reporters, Mason's ignorant position has not been adopted beyond the confines of his (limited) worldview. Thank goodness.

Still, Mason's comment has advocates fuming. This remark marginalizes an entire segment of the population - not to mention members of Mason's constituency. Transit systems are public-run entities designed to serve the transportation needs of the public. For low-income individuals - including the homeless - trains and buses are often the only transportation options available.

While it's tempting to write an angry letter or leave a colorful voice message for Mason, it's important to take a step back and realize that this is an important learning opportunity. There's an important link between public transportation, housing, and improving the quality of life for the poorest among us. Mason's ignorant remark is an important reminder that we, as advocates, must take advantage of every opportunity to spell out these linkages and help others see that - like it or not - we are all connected.

Jobless Rates Soar to 10.2 Percent

Shannon Moriarty — 2009-11-06T10:41:00-08:00

The number one cause of homelessness has gotten worse, according to October unemployment numbers. For the first time since 1983, the jobless rate in the U.S. has reached the double-digits. Although experts claim that the recession has ended, the trickle-down effects of our economic woes are far from over. As more Americans lose their jobs, they will come closer to losing their homes.

Many of the jobs shed over the past several months are in industries that tend to be lower-paying, such as service, manufacturing, retail, and construction. In other words, job losses are affecting those who were probably living paycheck-to-paycheck.

The cause-and-effect relationship between unemployment and homelessness has been well-established by the upward trends in homeless numbers over the past year. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, unemployment remains one of the most frequently cited reasons for homelessness. Thus, it may be simply a matter of time before those without income to pay for housing run out of options.

At the community-level, it's likely that service providers won't have time to bat an eye at these new numbers. Already, shelters are scrambling to meet rising need for services, which many predict will become even worse when temperatures dip.

So many grim numbers, so many things to be concerned about. But here's what worries me the most: it's throwing the "economically-challenged" homeless into the same pool as the "chronically homeless." I worry that the easier-to-serve individuals will be brought to the front of the line, while those who are most vulnerable - but also the most expensive and challenging to serve - will be forced to wait.

Although homelessness tends to make the news when the economy is bad and unemployment numbers are high, homelessness is not a new phenomenon. While we scramble to meet the needs of those impacted by the economy, it is imperative that we do not forget about those who were suffering on the streets while our economy was thriving. These are the individuals who are most vulnerable to being lost in the shuffle as demand for services continues to rise.

Real Story: Meet Pam

Mark Horvath — 2009-11-05T17:41:00-08:00

I met Pam while passing through Cleveland, Ohio. She is mother and a grandmother who never thought she would become homeless. Many people think that if a person has close family members, they can just go live with family when all else fails. But for Pam and many others, it's just not that simple.

Pam wished for a home; I hope she finds it.

Pam from InvisiblePeople.tv on Vimeo.

Homeless Web Trends That Need to Stop

Shannon Moriarty — 2009-11-05T16:00:00-08:00

The marginalization of people has perpetuated society and nestled its way onto the web. Twitter, blogs, and YouTube can be an excellent forum for confronting issues of poverty and homelessness. But they can also breed bad ideas, stereotypes, trends that hinder our progress towards combatting homelessness in America.

Here are three ugly web trends that need to stop.

1. "Homeless" as a derogatory term on Twitter

Search "homeless" on Twitter. I just did, and here's what I found (yes, I'm calling this person out): "@hannahhhp yep i definitely look homeless today."

Ignorant, right? This disparaging use of homeless is all over the Twittersphere, right next the the tweets of nonprofits holding coat drives or recruiting volunteers for Thanksgiving dinners.

"Homeless" (or #homeless) does not mean stupid or unkempt or drunk or any other kind of stereotype. If you're capable of jumping on the Twitter train, you can enlighten yourself about the causes of homelessness - including socio-economic disparity, mental health, poverty, PTSD, joblessness. If you're going to tweet about homelessness, try and help someone out instead of perpetuating ignorance.

2. "Funny Homeless Signs" Humor

This series of funny panhandler signs is constantly popping up on blogs and email chains. If features such classics as, "Ninjas killed my family; need money for ninja lessons," and "Why lie? I want a beer." One blog that featured these signs even began with this line: "We need more homeless people like this... lol."

Yes, homeless people are people. When you lost your home, you don't lost your personality. Why is it so surprising that people without a home can be witty, smart, and resourceful?

But more importantly - why do we get such a kick out of others' misfortune?

3. "Bum Fight" Videos on YouTube

Is the web be fueling the rise in violence against homeless people? Brutal, violent acts against the homeless have increased exponentially in the past decade, to the point that national advocacy groups are calling for homeless hate crime protection.

But here's the disturbing part: as violence against the homeless has increased, so have online videos featuring violent acts against the homeless. In July, nearly 86,000 degrading videos of homeless people were posted on YouTube, 15,000 more than a year earlier. And since "Bum Fights" began gaining popularity on the web in 2001, over 6.8 million videos have been sold.

The people featured in these films need to be helped, not humiliated. This is another trend that needs to stop.

First Apartment After 45 Years Homeless

Shannon Moriarty — 2009-11-04T14:53:00-08:00

Steve Sacre has been homeless for 45 years. His homeless stint included time in the Army, in prison, on couches, and on the streets. He learned early on how to hide his belongings so they're not stolen and how to watch his back so he's not hurt. But today, he can finally enjoy safety, security, permanence. Today he is living in his first real home.

Sacre's moving story appeared today in the Democrat Herald. Like many Vietnam-era veterans, his downward spiral began after he began using drugs to survive the horrors of the war. He came home - an addict - and became involved in burglary to fuel his habits, landing him in prison for 10 years.

It's heartbreaking to imagine living for 45 years without a sense of permanency. And for Sacre, this new home couldn't have come early enough. He has been diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and doctors have no idea how much time he has left.

Though his new apartment is sparse, with just a few chairs and an old television, Sacre is grateful to finally have a place to call home.

VA's Bold Goal: End Veteran Homelessness in 5 Years

Shannon Moriarty — 2009-11-04T11:53:00-08:00

Yesterday, Secretary of Veteran's Affairs Eric Shinseki make a promise: to end veteran homelessness in five years. While many have been pessimistic about this goal, calling it "overly ambitious" or "over-simplified," we can all agree on one thing: it's about time.

It's all too easy to wear an American flag, put a "Support Our Troops!" sticker on your car, but then scoff at "bums" on the street. Few people make the connection: wearing the uniform actually increases one's odds of ending up on the streets.

Today, roughly 1 in 3 homeless adult men is a veteran, and 1 in 5 homeless adults have worn the uniform. Although veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan currently represent just 3 percent of homeless veterans, they are winding up on the streets at rates faster than vets from previous wars.

But perhaps the Obama Administration's bold commitment will reverse this unacceptable trend. According to CNN, the Secretary Shinseki's plan includes trying to leverage existing education and jobs programs, boosting the ability of veteran-owned businesses to compete for federal contracts, and spending an additional $3 billion on medical services and homeless programs.

While it's hard to predict if this infusion of money will amount to success, the most encouraging part of the VA's plan is that they are embracing new and innovative approaches. Rather than increasing shelter budgets, more funding will be directed towards homelessness prevention. The new VA plan increases its current homelessness prevention budget by $400 million, 85 percent of the funds benefitting health-care costs. This finally acknowledges that veteran homelessness is often the result of untreated health problems, like mental health issues and substance abuse.

"My name is Shinseki, and I am here to end veteran homelessness."

If the Secretary's opening line during his remarks to the National Summit on Homeless Veterans is any indication of his gusto, then we're off to a good start.

Libraries Should Welcome the Homeless

Shannon Moriarty — 2009-11-03T13:45:00-08:00

For some, a library is a place of community. For others, it's an intellectual resource. And for others, it's a lifesaver.

This short video of the downtown LA public library illustrates how important a library can be to those without a home. Not only can it meet basic needs - like providing warmth and community - it can be an important resource during difficult times.

In the past year, as the numbers of newly homeless individuals has increased, many have griped about the prevalence of homeless folks in libraries. Some have argued that libraries are even becoming a "day care center for bums."

But I think one librarian interviewed in the video said it best: libraries are a public space intended to serve everyone. This means that any and all are welcome to roam the halls and use the facilities and they treat everyone with the same amount of respect - whether they are a well-dressed businessman or a homeless person.

I find this story of the downtown LA public library and its patrons is especially moving. It illuminates the sometimes lifesaving role public libraries can play in people's lives. Sometimes, for some people, this role may even include "home."

Overflow Shelters Opening, Filling Fast

Shannon Moriarty — 2009-11-03T11:08:00-08:00

As the temperatures drop, communities across the country are opening seasonal shelters to provide life-saving respite from the cold. This year, though, an early trend has some providers worried. Overflow shelter beds are filling fast with people looking for food and warmth. If the demand is outpacing supply now, how will budget-strapped communities meet the need when temperatures become deadly?

The Warming Souls Winter Overflow Shelter is housed in a Wichita church and opens every year to accommodate the increased numbers of shelter guests that show up each winter. On Sunday, when it opened for the first night of the season, organizers anticipated 15-20 guests. Thirty-six showed up. "And the weather wasn't that cold last night," according to the shelter's director.

Other communities have added beds to their seasonal shelters this year in anticipation of the rising numbers of people living outdoors. Arlington, Virginia, for example, saw the number of shelter guests increase 40 percent in one year during the summer months. This year, they have added beds in the winter shelter to compensate for the growing numbers of people in need.

Despite the obvious need for additional seasonal shelter beds for the homeless, delivering this life-saving service is a real challenge for budget-strapped communities. Sacramento's homeless services recently received a devastating 84 percent slash. For a time, it looked like there would be no additional winter shelter beds for the city's homeless. Recently, however, Mayor Kevin Johnson pledged to fund 269 temporary beds and motel rooms for homeless men, women, and children during the winter months. Still, he said, making it happen wasn't easy. "Given the desperate conditions of state, county and city budgets in California, our ability to create emergency winter housing is a triumph of hard work and cooperation," he told CW31.

If ever there was a time for communities to come together, pool their resources, and develop creative solutions to an urgent issue - this is it. Leadership and community-level advocacy is critical right now to ensure that every person who seeks shelter from the cold this winter receives it. Speak up, ask questions. What is your community's plan for providing shelter this winter?

Does Panhandling Make Homelessness Worse?

Shannon Moriarty — 2009-11-02T21:12:00-08:00

Everyone and their mother associates panhandling with homelessness and homelessness with panhandling. But one Atlanta advocate argues it's time we treat these as separate issues, since some panhandlers are not homeless and the majority of those without a home do not panhandle. What's more, could giving money to panhandlers exacerbate a person's homelessness and provide a dis-incentive for getting off the streets?

What does treating panhandling separate from homelessness look like in practice? An op-ed piece in the Atlanta Constitution does a nice job laying this out. Simply put: homeless service providers should focus on what they do best: meeting the housing needs of homeless individuals. Referring to services. Providing job training. Case management. They should not dabble in activities related to regulating panhandlers, but rather focus on getting everyone off the streets for good.

But here's the kicker...

For regular folks like you and me, the author argues that we should refrain from giving money to panhandlers. This, he says, is not helping the homeless, but making it more difficult for homeless service providers to do their job. In other words, giving money to a panhandler exacerbates their homelessness, according to the Atlanta Constitution.

So who does the author believe should deal be the one to deal with panhandlers? Law enforcement.

This argument - though curt - does make good sense. Certainly, there are few who would argue against the goal of moving everyone off the streets and into housing. But there's no question that the means to achieving this end are a bit over-simplified in his argument.

Our country has a shortage of housing that is affordable. In addition, many of those who end up on the streets face complicated issues that require time to address. Other individuals lack access to the social service safety net for a variety of reasons, whether it be their geographic location or the inability of providers to meet demand. For these individuals, panhandling is a means for survival until our system catches up. It is wrong to suggest that giving money to panhandlers exacerbates their homelessness, especially when our safety net cannot accommodate all who are in need.

Maybe someday, when we are finally meeting the demand for affordable housing and services for those who need them, we'll all be able to stand behind this argument. But sadly, I don't think we're there yet.

Image: Martin Ujlaki

What Can 'The Wire' Teach Us About Homelessness?

Shannon Moriarty — 2009-11-02T06:43:00-08:00

Harvard University officials announced yesterday that the school plans to offer a class that uses Season 5 of HBO's hit show "The Wire" as a case study for "urban issues" in America.

William Julius Wilson - one of the nation's leading scholars on urban poverty - told the Harvard Crimson that, "‘The Wire' has done more to enhance our understanding of the systemic urban inequality that constrains the lives of the poor than any published study."

It's an interesting observation. Why is it that a fictional television drama speak has the ability to speak to us more than data rooted in rigorous research? Are we overloaded with numbers and figures - some accurate, some hyperbolic - that we're wired to tune these things out? Do we only believe what we see with our own eyes, in our own neighborhoods?

If this is the case, then perhaps it's time we evaluate our world view. Our preeminent poverty experts and leading academic institutions are turning to a HBO series for a real look at urban poverty; perhaps we should take note.

Why not give it a try - watch Season 5 of The Wire. Take it a step beyond mindless entertainment and think about the issues presented in the show. We all have something to gain by opening our minds and trying to understand real issues happening the world around us.

Homeless Youth and Survival Sex

Shannon Moriarty — 2009-11-01T18:27:00-08:00

It's a sad but ugly truth: roughly one in four homeless youth engages in survival sex. A new research brief out this week from the National Alliance to End Homelessness paints a scary picture of the harsh realities faced by homeless runaway youth. Whatever you do, do not just read these numbers and shake your head. Let this be a call to action, the start of a grassroots movement to help these victimized homeless youth get the help they desperately need.

Here are a few of the most compelling (terrible) points that caught my eye from the research brief:

40-60 percent of homeless youth have experienced physical abuse and 17-35 percent have experienced sexual abuse. These young people are much more vulnerable to survival sex, prostitution, and sexual exploitation.

Homeless girls face a significantly greater risk of being raped or assaulted than homeless boys.

Sexually exploited youth rarely report their situation or ask for help.

LGBTQ homeless youth experience are at a greater risk of sexual exploitation than non-LGBTQ homeless youth.

Long-term psychological effects from sexual exploitation are more likely the longer a youth remains on the street following an assault.

Sexual exploitation of homeless youth is not a city or coastal issue - research shows it is just as common in rural and Midwestern communities.

One study noted that of the youth engaging in survival sex, 48 percent reported exchanging sex for housing or food, 22 percent traded sex for drugs, and 82 percent traded sex for money.

If these numbers don't trouble you, then maybe this will: the research brief concludes by pointing to the complete lack of community-based resources for victimized homeless runaway youth. In other words, their plight is largely unknown by most of America and there are few specialized services to help them.

But here's the good news: you can take action to stop this type of activity in your community. Here are a few things you can do (straight from the report):

Learn about youth homelessness in your community. Find out how many homeless youth are enrolled in the public schools and what kinds of resources are available to help them. Be informed about the realities of your community.

Be a vocal advocate for increased housing resources. Youth are less likely to be exploited when they are off the streets and in stable housing. There are model youth housing programs that can be developed in rural, suburban, and urban neighborhoods. Is there enough affordable housing in your neighborhood for older teenagers and young adults who are fleeing abuse and neglect?

Make sure that local law enforcement is targeting the businesses (pimps, strip clubs, escort services) and customers (johns) of the commercial sexual industry and not the victims (youth and young adults) for prosecution.

Learn more here.

Youth homelessness should not be a reality. But the sexual exploitation of runaway homeless youth is flat out unacceptable.

Tweets from the Streets

Mark Horvath — 2009-10-31T08:18:00-07:00

I'd like to say that I found Ann Marie in Chicago, but the truth is that she found me. Ann Marie uses social media to escape from her world and connect with others. When I arrived in the Windy City I received a tweet from @padschicago and the next day we arranged to meet in a train station.

Ann Marie is not the first person experiencing homelessness to find me via social media. As the face of homelessness changes, and social media continues to expand, I believe we will see many other people without homes on twitter, blogs, and Facebook. Service providers should pay attention to this evolution and understand that social media can be much more than tool for marketing. Twitter and Facebook can serve as an entry point for services or a vehicle for providing virtual case management.

Social media may have the potential to change the way we provide services, but it will not close the gaps that exist in our safety net. As social services become more specialized and targeted to specific populations, some of those who desperately need help simply cannot figure out where they fit in. Ann Marie would like to get off the streets, but she is falling through the gaps in the social service safety net.

ChicagoNow blogger Megan Cottrell tagged along when I met Ann Marie and wrote a very powerful post. We were also on a San Francisco radio show - Live from the Left Coast - with Angie Coiro. And right now as I type, Ann Marie is on a Greyhound headed to Los Angeles to speak with me at 140 Conference.

Truly Anne Marie is a special person simply trying to survive. She honestly shares the challenges she faces everyday and talks about how she uses social media. Although much of her story is sad at least for a few days she is on a vacation from homelessness.

Ann Marie from InvisiblePeople.tv on Vimeo.

You Are Not Where You Live

Shannon Moriarty — 2009-10-29T19:52:00-07:00

You are not where you live.

This is the painfully-simple-but-so-important message writer Becky Blanton shared during a presentation for TED, an organization that shares "riveting talks by incredible people." Blanton began living in her van by choice. But one year after she began her adventure, she was broke, had fallen into the depths of depression, and felt homeless.

In the short video below, she talks about what she learned during just one year living in a van. She makes painfully important observations about homelessness, from the outside and the inside. Including three key lessons:

1. Society equates living in a permanent structure with our value.

2. The negative perceptions of others can easily impact our self-worth, if we allow it to.

3. Homelessness is an attitude, not a lifestyle.

Although I wouldn't classify Blanton as "homeless", I still found her testimony deeply moving. Partially because Blanton is such a riveting storyteller, but also because you can sense how deeply the experience impacted her.

Blanton had her identity as a writer and plenty of opportunities awaiting her at the end of her year on the streets. Many others are not as lucky.

Image: topleftpixel

Are Storage Units Modern-Day Carboard Boxes?

Shannon Moriarty — 2009-10-29T10:30:00-07:00

Somewhere along the line, the cardboard box became synonymous with homelessness. But today, these old stereotypes are changing as our modern-era homeless population grows and utilizes existing resources. Today, many homeless individuals and families are taking shelter in storage units.

An article in last week's Chicago Tribune told the story of a family living in a storage unit. It's not a new phenomenon; similar stories have been reported out of Hawaii and Maryland. At $179/month, the price is certainly right. And as I wrote back in March, storage units beat the dangers of the street, the rules of shelters, and the stigma of tent cities for people who are newly homeless.

Still - it's ironic, isn't it? Storage units exist because people have too much stuff. So much stuff, in fact, that we can't even squeeze it into our houses or apartments. Yet, at the same time, homelessness is at an all-time high in many cities. What does this say about us a society, about the enormous gap between the rich and the poor?

Have we come to value "stuff" more than we value people?

Parenting While Homeless

Shannon Moriarty — 2009-10-29T08:20:00-07:00

It's the toughest job there is, being a parent. And it's a role that becomes exponentially more challenging when the safety of four walls and a roof are gone. How do homeless parents help their family survive? How do they provide for their children amid such uncertainty?

Sadly, these are questions that far too many families are having to answer the hard way... by experiencing it.

The team over at the Homelessness Resource Center shared with me a the powerful essay of a woman named Gladys Fonfield-Ayinla who shares her experience as a single homeless mother. She talks about her downward spiral into homelessness, her regrets, the painful memories of entering shelter.

But Fonfield-Ayinla's essay is not just a memoir. She raises important concerns she had while parenting in a shelter environment; issues that should be required reading for every family shelter service provider. Her key concerns involved childcare choice, parenting in a house with other families (with their own beliefs, disciplinary styles, etc.), and the heavy-handed disciplinary approach that - while necessary in some cases - prevents individuals from speaking out for fear of losing their only shelter.

Whether you're a parent or not, this story will open your eyes. You will feel her pain. But more importantly, you will get a sense of the intrinsic challenges in meeting the needs of homeless families through a traditional shelter system.

Hawks for the Homeless

Shannon Moriarty — 2009-10-28T15:19:00-07:00

Looking for an interesting way to support the homeless? Try sporting a mohawk or fauxhawk. A new campaign out of LA - called Hawks for the Homeless - is all about raising awareness while raising funds for service providers. At the same time, you'll be razing your hair (the sides, at least) and raising carefully gelled spikes atop you head.

(Too far with the "raising" puns?)

This new campaign is a volunteer-led initiative happening in LA. It's simple: participants pledge to 'hawk their hair - mohawks and fauxhawks are both acceptable forms of hawking - and ask family and friends to support them with a donation. In LA, the cuts are taking place on November 12th at Bold Barbers.

I love this campaign because it's new, edgy, fun, and has the potential to catch on in cities across the U.S. (In fact, there are detailed instructions for bringing this campaign to your community.) I'd love to see celebrities, soccer moms, elected officials, and youth sporting this 'do. Imagine a world where we all sport the 'hawk until homeless is eradicated. It could be a beautiful thing.

Sure, a mohawk or fauxhawk isn't going to end homelessness (I hope that point is fairly obvious). But I'm all for ideas with broad appeal that have the potential to educate and raise money at a time when it's needed most.

So what are you waiting for? Get sheened.

Image: jdn

Golden Girl Includes Homeless GLBT Youth in her Will

Shannon Moriarty — 2009-10-28T11:55:00-07:00

She's the Golden Girl with the golden heart. Bea Aurther, the late actress of Golden Girl fame, left a $300,000 gift in her will to a New York City organization that serves gay and lesbian youth.

The Ali Fornay Center is one of just a handful of organizations that exclusively shelters GLBT youth in New York City, serving roughly 1,000 youth annually. "We are overwhelmed with gratitude that Bea saw that LGBT youth deserve as much love and support as any other young person," said Executive Director Carl Sicilliano. The organization said today that they plan to name a building for Bea in light of her posthumous generosity.

Prior to her death several months ago, Bea was a lifelong advocate of GLBT rights. Her generous legacy gift illustrates that she made the connection between intolerance and the rising prevalence of GLBT homeless youth.

As I've written in the past, GLBT youth are disproportionately represented among homeless youth. Roughly 20 percent of homeless youth self-identify as LGBTQ, and that's a conservative estimate. This population is much more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse than their heterosexual peers. To make matters worse, the social service safety net to catch these troubled teens is, in many communities, nonexistent.

This is precisely why organizations like the Ali Fornay Center are so important. They provide a safe, non-threatening haven that will accept them when their families do not.

Why can't we all just be like Bea?

Image: SheWire

Anchorage to Buy Homeless One-Way Plane Tickets

Shannon Moriarty — 2009-10-27T13:42:00-07:00

Homeless service providers in Anchorage, Alaska are giving "pilot program" a whole new meaning. This week, the city announced plans to buy hundreds of one-way plane tickets to fly its homeless population out of Anchorage and into remote Alaskan villages. City officials say they are enabling "family reunification"; I say they are shirking their duty to serve the homeless.

We're calling shenanigans on you, Anchorage. Are plane tickets really the best you can do?

Anchorage is not the first city to adopt such a terrible policy. In the past year, Hawaii and New York City have both come under fire for shipping out their homeless with plane tickets.

It's not hard to understand why this policy is becoming increasingly favored by financially strapped cities. Plane tickets are cheaper than providing case management, housing, or homeless prevention assistance. In the short term, when demand is up and funds are low, plane tickets might seem like a brilliant idea; a fast and cheap way to ease demand and serve more people.

But any short-term financial gains in one city will inevitably become a long-term burden on another unsuspecting community. In the long run, plane tickets are nothing more than a cruel, cheap way of ridding a city of its homeless population through exportation. Put them on a plane, then forget about them; someone else's responsibility now.

Let's call this policy what it is: a cop-out.

When it comes to serving the homeless, we can do better than simply providing plane tickets.

Image: √oхέƒx™

Homeless Runaway Youth, In Their Own Words

Shannon Moriarty — 2009-10-27T09:41:00-07:00

This is Clinton. He's 18 years old, but he's been living on the streets since he was 12. He knows how to sleep without being seen, survive on a jar of peanut butter for a week, and remain invisible in plain sight.

This week, the New York Times featured two powerful exposes on homeless youth. But neither moved me as much as this video. There's something about hearing stories from those who have experienced it - seeing the conditions they live in - that is both powerful and incredibly sad.

Take seven minutes and watch this video. I hope it changes the way you look at the issue of homelessness in America.