10 Things You Need to Know to Live on the Streets

[alkemical]

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10 Things You Need to Know to Live on the Streets

By Walter Mosley and Rae Gomes, The Nation. Posted July 28, 2009.

How to make the best of a traumatic transition: Learn the best bathroom options and soup kitchen schedules, carry a blanket and more.

For millions of Americans, the housing crisis began well before last year's front-page collapse. Bigotry and criminalization by an unjust system of policing and incarceration, combined with economic privation, have kept even the meager privilege of a subprime mortgage or slumlord lease out of reach for many. As the crisis unfolds, the number of homeless will grow.

Picture the Homeless, a social justice organization founded and led by homeless people in New York City, has joined The Nation to come up with a list of things you need to know to live on the street--and ways we can all build movements to challenge the stigma of homelessness and put forward an alternative vision of community.

1. Be prepared to be blamed for your circumstances, no matter how much they may be beyond your control. Think of ways to disabuse the public of common misconceptions. Don't internalize cruelty or condescension. Let go of your pride--but hold on to your dignity.

2. There is no private space to which you may retreat. You are on display 24/7. Learn to travel light. Store valuables in a safe place, only carrying around what you really need: ID and documents for accessing services, a pen, etc. You can check e-mail and read at the library. You can get a post office box for a fee or use general delivery (free).

3. Learn the best bathroom options, where you won't be rushed, turned away or harassed. Find restrooms where it's clean enough to put your stuff down, the stalls are big enough to change in and there's hot water so you can wash up. If you're in New York City go to Restrooms in New York.

4. It's difficult to have much control over when, where and what you eat, so learn soup kitchen schedules and menus. Carry with you nuts, peanut butter or other foods high in protein. Click here to find a list of soup kitchens by state.

5. Food and clothing are easier to find than a safe place to sleep--the first truth of homelessness is sleep deprivation. Always have a blanket. Whenever possible, sleep in groups with staggered schedules, so you can look out for one another, prioritizing children's needs over those of adults.

6. Know your rights! Knowing constitutional amendments, legal precedents and human rights provisions can help you, even if they're routinely violated. In New York, for example, a 2003 court-ordered settlement strictly forbids selective enforcement of the law against the homeless. The Malcolm X Grassroots Movement offers another resource, and the ACLU has cards, brochures, fact sheets and films.

7. Learn police patterns and practices. Be polite and calm to cops, even when they don't give the same respect. Support initiatives demanding independent police accountability. Link with groups from overlapping populations of nonhomeless and homeless people (i.e., black, Latino, LGBT groups) that are fighting police brutality and building nonpolice safety projects, like the Audre Lorde Project's Safe OUTside the System in Brooklyn. Organize your own CopWatch--and photograph, videotape and publicize instances of police abuse. Consider and support models like the Los Angeles Community Action Network or the People's Self Defense Campaign of the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement in Brooklyn.

8. The First Amendment protects your right to solicit aid (panhandling), especially if your pitch or sign is a statement rather than a request. To succeed, be creative, funny, engaging ("I didn't get a bailout!"). Find good, high-traffic spots where the police won't bother you.

9. Housing is a human right! Squat. Forge coalitions with nonhomeless but potentially displaced people in this era of mass foreclosures. Support United Workers in Baltimore, the Coalition on Homelessness in San Francisco, the Nashville Homeless Power Project. Learn about campaigns against homelessness in other nations, including the Landless Workers' Movement in Brazil and the Anti-Eviction Campaign in South Africa.

10. Don't go it alone! Always be part of an informal network of trust and mutual aid. Start your own organization, with homeless people themselves shaping the fight for a better life and world. Check out the Picture the Homeless Blog for news, updates and reports on homelessness in NY.

This monthly feature was conceived by writer and Nation editorial board member Walter Mosley as a kind of do-it-yourself opinion and action device, and Rae Gomes provided research. Most often "Ten Things" will offer a brief list of recommendations for accomplishing a desired political or social end, sometimes bringing to light something generally unknown. The purpose of the feature is to go to the heart of issues in a stripped-down, active and informed way. After getting a visiting expert--or everyday citizen--to construct the list, The Nation will interview that person and post a brief online version of "Ten Things," with links to relevant websites, books or other information. Readers who wish to propose ideas for "Ten Things" should e-mail NationTenThings@gmail.com or use the e-form at the bottom of this page.

© 2009 The Nation All rights reserved.

[Odysseus]

Living on the streets is brutal. There are several things this article does not cover that people end up experiencing.

1. Detachment: People are driven to be social so when you are in this situation you ultimately create a different social pattern which if you are not careful can lead to some pretty dark places. We are not all wired that tight. This is a kind of experience that many people are not equipped to deal with.

2. Knowing your rights cannot stop you from getting the crap kicked out of you. There are very few Bruce Lee types wandering the streets. You body tends to lose muscle integrity and unless you carrying around canisters of protein you tend to get soft quickly. How do you work on your cardio if you are homeless?

3. Health is a constant issues. A cold when you are homeless can kill you. A small cut can get infected and you will find yourself with "toughing it out" when a the simplest of care could have saved you.

4.Maintenance issues are b****. Where do you do laundry? Who is going to sew that tear in your shirt? How do you get out of that situation when everyday plays against you? You end up creating infrastucture from nothing but in the end you have to be ready to leave everything.

5. There are not many homeless people that I would immediate trust with my stuff. They did not all get homeless from no fault of their own. It is hard to build integrity into a person who has personal problems. Overall it is hard to figure out who you can trust in that situation until you've been down that road for awhile but the first time you get burned it's a brutal lesson and one that is often repeated.

I am not an expert on homelessness. I have never really HAD to live off the street but as this increasingly becomes something that people are discovering it is something that more and more people...whether they think it will happen to them or not...will have to try and understand.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by quiettiger

Living on the streets is brutal. There are several things this article does not cover that people end up experiencing.

1. Detachment: People are driven to be social so when you are in this situation you ultimately create a different social pattern which if you are not careful can lead to some pretty dark places. We are not all wired that tight. This is a kind of experience that many people are not equipped to deal with.

2. Knowing your rights cannot stop you from getting the crap kicked out of you. There are very few Bruce Lee types wandering the streets. You body tends to lose muscle integrity and unless you carrying around canisters of protein you tend to get soft quickly. How do you work on your cardio if you are homeless?

3. Health is a constant issues. A cold when you are homeless can kill you. A small cut can get infected and you will find yourself with "toughing it out" when a the simplest of care could have saved you.

4.Maintenance issues are b****. Where do you do laundry? Who is going to sew that tear in your shirt? How do you get out of that situation when everyday plays against you? You end up creating infrastucture from nothing but in the end you have to be ready to leave everything.

5. There are not many homeless people that I would immediate trust with my stuff. They did not all get homeless from no fault of their own. It is hard to build integrity into a person who has personal problems. Overall it is hard to figure out who you can trust in that situation until you've been down that road for awhile but the first time you get burned it's a brutal lesson and one that is often repeated.

I am not an expert on homelessness. I have never really HAD to live off the street but as this increasingly becomes something that people are discovering it is something that more and more people...whether they think it will happen to them or not...will have to try and understand.

Regarding the health issue...Its important to make use of Free Clinics...to know their hours and policies. And to treat the Clinic like you would a valued friend...do what the doctors ask, be on time, and go out of your way to get any paperwork or anything else they ask of you done.

Also...
Know the use and limitations of local charities, and do whatever you can to stay on the right foot with them. Be honest, be sincere. The wrong attitude and being caught in lies can change the way your case is handled. The right attitude may just open a door up for you down the line, and you need as many doors opened as possible.

Avoid traveling with others you do not have extensive repoire with. Your life can be sold for very little. I have seen horrible things. Horrible. Acquaintances can and will leave you to die if it behooves them.

Understand that common Joe Society generally wants to help, but it may not be by giving money. NEVER turn down food or any alternative that someone gives you. You do have a reputation out there. The people that see you everyday formulate opinions about your character and it can effect the way that they treat you.

Get in the habit of doing odd jobs for people, and do not expect to be paid an exorbitant amount. You want someone to pay you extra out of their charitable spirit, not because you are demanding. The one spirit will continue to give to you, and the demanding spirit will continue to create bad relationships.

[alkemical]

Originally Posted by quiettiger

Living on the streets is brutal. There are several things this article does not cover that people end up experiencing.

1. Detachment: People are driven to be social so when you are in this situation you ultimately create a different social pattern which if you are not careful can lead to some pretty dark places. We are not all wired that tight. This is a kind of experience that many people are not equipped to deal with.

2. Knowing your rights cannot stop you from getting the crap kicked out of you. There are very few Bruce Lee types wandering the streets. You body tends to lose muscle integrity and unless you carrying around canisters of protein you tend to get soft quickly. How do you work on your cardio if you are homeless?

3. Health is a constant issues. A cold when you are homeless can kill you. A small cut can get infected and you will find yourself with "toughing it out" when a the simplest of care could have saved you.

4.Maintenance issues are b****. Where do you do laundry? Who is going to sew that tear in your shirt? How do you get out of that situation when everyday plays against you? You end up creating infrastucture from nothing but in the end you have to be ready to leave everything.

5. There are not many homeless people that I would immediate trust with my stuff. They did not all get homeless from no fault of their own. It is hard to build integrity into a person who has personal problems. Overall it is hard to figure out who you can trust in that situation until you've been down that road for awhile but the first time you get burned it's a brutal lesson and one that is often repeated.

I am not an expert on homelessness. I have never really HAD to live off the street but as this increasingly becomes something that people are discovering it is something that more and more people...whether they think it will happen to them or not...will have to try and understand.

I was lucky in a way, that when i did my stint, i was homeless with an actual friend...

But those points you listed are very valid.

My friend Dean got beat up, peed on, and then set on fire.

The types of people you work with on a day to day basis, most won't talk to you if you end up homeless.

Also, find the line between pride and dignity.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by amesj523

I was lucky in a way, that when i did my stint, i was homeless with an actual friend...

But those points you listed are very valid.

My friend Dean got beat up, peed on, and then set on fire.

The types of people you work with on a day to day basis, most won't talk to you if you end up homeless.

Also, find the line between pride and dignity.

One guy I know was awoken from his sleep by his companions, who were kicking him and beating him with all sorts of things. They tried to kill him for his stuff. They beat him until they thought he was dead and then they put him on train tracks. He spent a half a year in the hospital and has the most deformed abdomen I have ever seen.

He is beyond lucky to have survived.

[Odysseus]

Originally Posted by amesj523

I was lucky in a way, that when i did my stint, i was homeless with an actual friend...

But those points you listed are very valid.

My friend Dean got beat up, peed on, and then set on fire.

The types of people you work with on a day to day basis, most won't talk to you if you end up homeless.

Also, find the line between pride and dignity.

Oddly enough fame can give you that same feeling of homelessness. Imagine having no privacy, people stalking you and no matter where you went people put THEIR expectations on you. You have problems that few people understand and no matter what you say they want to make mean something else. The public eye can be very mean street.

I find it strange how often we use money as a justification to treat people poorly. If they have money we are jealous and envious. If they don't we hate blame them, despise them and discount them. Sometimes when you put a star on pedestal that is only so you can hate them worst later.

[cutthemdown]

Originally Posted by quiettiger

Oddly enough fame can give you that same feeling of homelessness. Imagine having no privacy, people stalking you and no matter where you went people put THEIR expectations on you. You have problems that few people understand and no matter what you say they want to make mean something else. The public eye can be very mean street.

I find it strange how often we use money as a justification to treat people poorly. If they have money we are jealous and envious. If they don't we hate blame them, despise them and discount them. Sometimes when you put a star on pedestal that is only so you can hate them worst later.

Meh plenty of famous people are never seen and manage to live very private lives.

IMO the ones that want to be seen are seen.

People here in LA here all sorts of stories about how the stars actually call photogs and tell them when they will be ariving at LAX, when they go out to dinner, where they are going to party.

I do agree though society goes from loving to hating on a dime.

I'm wondering if we have become like the girl there is no way to make happy.

[Odysseus]

Originally Posted by cutthemdown

Meh plenty of famous people are never seen and manage to live very private lives.

IMO the ones that want to be seen are seen.

People here in LA here all sorts of stories about how the stars actually call photogs and tell them when they will be ariving at LAX, when they go out to dinner, where they are going to party.

I do agree though society goes from loving to hating on a dime.

I'm wondering if we have become like the girl there is no way to make happy.

Living in LA you have a different perspective on things. You could work for Satan and think of him as nothing more than "Good Old Chuck" or something. The things that people in LA take as normal are not normal. The kind of rancid materialism, greed, and self loathing is amazing to me.

I spent some time in San Bernadino and South Central. I used to love listening to the celebrity gossip. Amazing stories you can hear there.

[alkemical]

Originally Posted by quiettiger

Oddly enough fame can give you that same feeling of homelessness. Imagine having no privacy, people stalking you and no matter where you went people put THEIR expectations on you. You have problems that few people understand and no matter what you say they want to make mean something else. The public eye can be very mean street.

I find it strange how often we use money as a justification to treat people poorly. If they have money we are jealous and envious. If they don't we hate blame them, despise them and discount them. Sometimes when you put a star on pedestal that is only so you can hate them worst later.

One thing nice was though, you could be invisible if you wanted to...double edged sword and all - but you get the drift...

I had some articles posted about the sacrificial goddess - it covers the same premise in your post.

[cutthemdown]

Originally Posted by amesj523

I was lucky in a way, that when i did my stint, i was homeless with an actual friend...

But those points you listed are very valid.

My friend Dean got beat up, peed on, and then set on fire.

The types of people you work with on a day to day basis, most won't talk to you if you end up homeless.

Also, find the line between pride and dignity.

Damn they could have at least peed on him after setting him on fire.

Talk about cruel.

[alkemical]

Originally Posted by cutthemdown

Damn they could have at least peed on him after setting him on fire.

Talk about cruel.

I've met crazy people, vultures, cannibals, hard luck folk, and zombies while on the streets....

[Odysseus]

Originally Posted by amesj523

I've met crazy people, vultures, cannibals, hard luck folk, and zombies while on the streets....

The streets don't lie about who we are as people.

[Bob]

How about how to put on an Acorn shirt, be paid peanuts, and be told where next to protest?

[Odysseus]

Originally Posted by Bob

How about how to put on an Acorn shirt, be paid peanuts, and be told where next to protest?

They don't have shirts. They cannot afford them.

McCain was strong supporter of Acorn until the elections. Who initiated the hatchet job on Acorn and why?

[ghwk]

Originally Posted by quiettiger

They don't have shirts. They cannot afford them.

McCain was strong supporter of Acorn until the elections. Who initiated the hatchet job on Acorn and why?

Bob doesn't actually like to have to solve anything, unless it is at someone else's expense, he just like to throw out pointless repub jabs.

[Bob]

Originally Posted by ghwk

Bob doesn't actually like to have to solve anything, unless it is at someone else's expense, he just like to throw out pointless repub jabs.

Or it could be that I have spent many hours helping homelss folks find jobs including those with significant disabilities...

I have feelings for the majority that are down and out, and the large percentage that are struggling with mental illnesses, or TBI. As one cannot tell most of the time what the root cause is for the hard luck, I try not to judge (unless they are wearing bright red shirts) Its hard though when scammers hang outside WalMart with card board signs though, as they live in decent trailers (where I live) behind Wal Mart...

[footstepsfrom#27]

I met a guy a few years ago who told me his health club membership at the YMCA was the one thing he made sure he continued to pay for. He could go in there anytime and shower, keep some clothes in a locker for a job interview and use the bathroom, plus be able to swim...made a lot of sense.

Here in Dallas in advance of them building this new stadium for the Cowboys the city of Arlington was so concerned about their public image they ran as many homeless out of town as possible by arresting panhandlers. Dallas did the same thing, actually tearing down their shanty towns under the downtown bridges and viaducts. This is a pretty cruel city when you get down to it.

[kappys]

Originally Posted by footstepsfrom#27

I met a guy a few years ago who told me his health club membership at the YMCA was the one thing he made sure he continued to pay for. He could go in there anytime and shower, keep some clothes in a locker for a job interview and use the bathroom, plus be able to swim...made a lot of sense.

Here in Dallas in advance of them building this new stadium for the Cowboys the city of Arlington was so concerned about their public image they ran as many homeless out of town as possible by arresting panhandlers. Dallas did the same thing, actually tearing down their shanty towns under the downtown bridges and viaducts. This is a pretty cruel city when you get down to it.

At least they opened up the Bridge in Dallas. Hardly a great spot(shelter) but my understanding was that a lot of the tear down had to do more with relocation of the homeless to a less desirable area around the Bridge(by Big Baylor) then it did to drive them out of town. They want to build up downtown a bit more, though I think they're still struggling to do so.

Also I think food aid is the easiest to come by. Near several of the restaurants I like I've seen plenty of homeless folks asking for food handouts and I doubt they have to ask more than 2 or 3 people before they've gotten enough for a full meal. And this is good food too, probably better than a lot of working poor can afford. Its always good to ask people for things they like giving and feeding the hungry always hits the charitable spot in most.

[spdirty]

The people that are in that situation I imagine could manage/survive, maybe improve their living conditions in the future. The kids in that situation are what breaks my heart.

Pray and be thankful that my kids and niece dont have to worry about a roof over their heads, food, and staying warm during a cold night.

[Odysseus]

I have met street pretenders. These are kids from good homes who think denying where they come from gives the street cred.

I think it's funny how many people look for a "ghetto tour guide" to teach them about the "problem" and then after a short while they disappear back their their comfortable homes forgetting the people they were trying to help.

There are demons and angels walking our streets. You can find them in the libraries, bus stops, and laundry mats. If you have the eye for it. Personally I prefer country living. I would rather face a bear pissing in the woods than a bum pissing in an open grate.

...personal preference you know...