This week I heard a presentation on the history of the homeless by individuals in the class and Jim. The most shocking thing I heard was how many times the economy clasped I’ve the past 50 years, being over 3 times. Our economy is meant to not function, and eventually crash. I just don’t understand why the government keeps trying to use this method knowing the consequences.

Social protest became huge in the trying to get policies for the homeless. It was as if these people were stripped of rights. Having more than people on their side showed how important this issues was to the broader community. Having people of all economic backgrounds involved.  But because of these people much change was brought about, allowing more money to be spent on a wider variety of things.  Also opening up the help of more government assistance in general. Money was spent on more emergency shelters, drop in centers, long term housing, and medical care.

Many shelters had and still have very strict rules and regulations for people who need it. I’ve been wondering if giving them more freedom would help them grow and change? Many say giving them too much freedom would cause them to become heavily dependent on outside resources instead of creating their own. Others say strict rules may keep them away from the help, and if we want people off the street they need to receive some type of help.  I understand some of the rules like no hard drugs, but others like be at the location at 6 is too much. We forget these people are grown and can move about how they want, but in order to get help you must obey. It is like they are treated like children.