Homeless Men React to Evacuees

[thentavius]

The article:
http://www.thenewmexicochannel.com/news/4946779/detail.html

Overview:
Albuqeruque, NM offered to house about 5,000 of Katrina's evacuated victims, which was a nice gesture. They are being housed in a convention center in the city. The evacuees are identified by armbands, and the center is offering free food, clothes, toys, and other items to the victims. A police force is NOT allowing local homeless people to get any of the food or clothing--which is starting a small uproar.

The news article briefly mentions a single local help organization that is "still taking donations" (??) for local homeless people in the area, from which they expect the usual homeless people to go. Still taking donations? Makes it sound like the shelter is thought to be closed or closing--as if they have to remind the locals that the place is still open.

Just curious to know how this article felt to some of you.

[Heartland]

Bakas also points out there is help locally for the homeless, like at the Albuquerque Rescue Mission which is still getting donations.

Action 7 News met some homeless people who say they are proud of how well New Mexico is treating the new arrivals.

"I'm glad someone's helping them," one man said. "They need a lot of help." I can't speak for Albuquerque, but in my large city (Indy) there are already missions and shelters in place for the homeless, as well as many advocate organizations that help them permanently settle into a home, get off drugs (if applicable), and get jobs.

Before judging whether the complaints are justified, I'd need to know specifics about them ... are they able to work? Are they mentally ill? Vets? How long have they been homeless? In other words, why are they homeless? Are they taking advantage of the help that's already in place for them?

[thentavius]

Are the local homeless ignoring the current programs in place?
Do the current programs not provide enough?
Are there enough programs in place?
Are some of the homeless trying to take advantage of the situation--in addition to other local services?
Are some of the "homeless" not really homeless, and are trying to take advantage?

Sounds like a lot of questions could be raised by the article--and I'm leaning toward the last two as being the most likely culprits--although, without more knowledge on the area's programs, it's hard to decide either way.

I am also betting that the majority of the homeless people share the opinion of those who are proud of the city's relief efforts. If some are happy about it, then I am sure the angry voices of a few are not indicative of the homeless situation as a whole.

I for one am happy that the city is offering to help. I wonder how many cities have been extending such invitations?

[krisinluck]

Albuquerque has a fair amount of homeless. Always has. When I left there in 1991, it was a "growing" problem

When I lived there (all my life until 1991), there were some programs in place for them, but the Rescue Mission has always been the big one. Barrett House when started was just for women/children, and I assume it's still in place as it was definitely needed. The Rescue Mission is no place for kids or abused women. There was one on the campus of UNM that served young people on the street, whether from running away or being kicked out - I spent a couple of nights there myself back in the early 80s during the ugly years, but I can't remember what it was called.

Since homelessness has garnered more attention in the past fifteen years, I would think they have expanded their services, but who knows?

There is another poster here at TRS who still lives down there. She may have a better POV than I do with so many years distance. But like any metro area, there are always that handful who bitch and try to sneak in under the wire...and like anything else, that's who the media gives face time to.

My experience with them, by and large, was not negative, so I'm not surprised to hear that most are pleased with the help these folks from the Gulf are getting. If anyone has a raw clue what those people are going through, it's the homeless population.

[thentavius]

I just moved here recently, but have been living near 'burque for the last four years. I am not familiar with the local homeless missions--and haven't even seen one when passing through town.

Maybe I'll crack open the phone book and see if there is anything listed under shelters or missions.

[10x]

The homless are a problem in New Mexico. They will be more headed this way as winter coming on.

[mango man]

the homeless need to make their way to NO then they can be evacuted and given full benifets befiitting a victom