when i see homeless people on the street in new york city, i wonder if the resources are already in place to?

Question

help these people get off the streets. is the reason that these people are living on the streets because they are mentally ill and refuse help? are there task forces that try and get these people into shelters and into some program to at least help them get cleaned up and try to get a job or does this not exist? is help already there for those who are willing to accept it?

Answer 1

I don't really think help is there. The shelters make you leave early in the morning. Most jobs require that you have a telephone so they can call you if they want to hire you. People in the shelters get robbed, unless they don't have anything. Sure, lots of the homeless like living that way, but for ones that don't like it, it's not easy.

Answer 2

Help is available, but not nearly enough. Many of these people really need to be institutionalized, but, due to the mental health laws that are in place, it is impossible to confine them without their consent. Beyond that, there are not enough beds to accommodate them, even if they are willing to go.

Do some research and find out how long the waiting lists are to get into a drug rehab. Most charitable organizations will willingly quote statistics for you...they do that so that people will know the level of need vs. the availability of resources.

The problem is not only in New York. Some years back, probably before you were born, a decision was made at the Federal level, that the mentally ill could be maintained with medication and that institutionalization was only necessary in the most extreme cases. Even with that, the goal is to medicate until the patient appears manageable and then release, in all but the most dangerous and hopeless cases.

The problem is that, when these people are released, they are sent out into the streets, sometimes without even being assigned to a social service agency that could keep track of them, and without the funds to purchase medications or referrals to doctors to prescribe the medications. ...let alone supervision to be sure they are taking the medication. Oh, it is a very long story and a sad one.

Answer 3

I am one who does get active in my state about these kinds of issues.
I know that the money raised for our homeless, or heating programs for the poor or what not do not last but a couple months. There is money at and around Christmas time for these programs for this time of the year is when this is on everyone minds, this money does not last long!!
I wonder with a state like New York how long the money lasts with all the people on there streets? I am sure the state also shares the homeless money with the elderly,disabled, poor.
This issue is a year around topic, but sadly only at this time of the year do most people actually think about it....Christmas presents for the poor are great and nice, and when hocked at the hock shop can actually pay some bills for some of these poor people (yes this is where some of your presents go, you are helping out the kids with these presents, just in a different way then you thought), heat at this time of the year is a huge issue...

For agencies to work it takes money, warm bodies...in America we do not think of the poor or the disabled or the elderly at least in our state...there are those of us who are trying, call us bleeding heart liberals if you want too!
Fact of the matter is there are more American who are one paycheck away from being on the streets then most people like to think. People tend to think more of animals then they do the human race...
We were renting horse pasture from a elderly man. I would talk to him on a daily bases. When his elderly dog died of the heat we took him over a air conditioner and I also got him another little dashhound to keep him company. We moved my horse (only one at the time) closer to us so I could not talk to him everyday. A couple months after we left the old man passed on. He was found in his bathroom. He had been there for several days!! I did not realize I was one of the only people he talked to every day. If I new this I would have left our horse on his property and not cared of how long we had to drive to get there.
Like I said this issue is a very big one.....

Answer 4

"In partnership with non-profit organizations, DHS sponsors nine Drop-In Centers located throughout the City. Drop-Ins provide hot meals, showers, laundry facilities, clothing, medical care, recreational space, employment referrals, and other social services. Staff can also help you find a safe and secure place to sleep. All Drop-Ins operate 24/7."

Answer 5

It's called The Salvation Army.

Answer 6

I think there is help, but people have to seek it out. And unfortunately, most people don't know where or how to find it. People need to be educated about what resources are out there, and how to find them

Answer 7

here is my take on the homeless as we have them in Columbus Ohio as well:

move to a warmer place and get a job!