By Taehyun Bang
Homeless encampment is a global issue where the homeless have the right to encamp in public areas: streets, parks, underpasses, and many more. However, although it may seem right for people to camp outside, they also have options to find shelter in homeless shelters, transitional housing programs, and other camps provided. Therefore, I believe that the homeless are better off in homeless shelters and are overall better for them and society.
Homeless shelters are better for the homeless because it provides safety and stability rather than living freely in the streets. Homeless shelters may seem like a sanctuary to many people living in the streets. Not only are you given shelter and food, but you are also given safety and stability. Homeless shelters will protect you from unwanted violence and hate from the public. People who live there may create connections with other people who have experienced a similar environment. These shelters also provide a sense of stability over one’s belongings. Their belongings are usually protected 24/7 throughout the day, while in the streets, their only protection is themselves. The worry of sweeps, where police enforcement are allowed to confiscate and possibly destroy camps, is also eliminated when living in a shelter.
However, some people may argue that living in public areas is a choice and lifestyle rather than a requirement. They believe that rather than forcing homeless people to move to shelters, they should protect the homeless from being attacked or forcibly removed from public spaces. As many homeless who lived on homeless streets have built relationships with people around them, sweeps have destroyed the lives of the homeless in public areas. Destroying most of their property such as their personal ID, clothes, tents, and even medical pills. The amount of stress buildup from trying to get food every day, worrying about sweeps, and bad conditions will further influence bad mental health which could lead to abuse of alcohol, and substances, and even develop mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Homeless shelters will provide mental assistance and help aided by the government, thus, being forced to live in these shelters will forcibly help the homeless and benefit their future. Living in a community with people who have experienced the same may also benefit the homeless. Nearby businesses are also impacted due to the homeless. Homeless who are found sleeping, panhandling, or public excretion or urination are unfavorable environments for businesses as customers will find these environments disturbing.
In conclusion, although people may believe forcibly removing the homeless from encamping in public spaces is harsh and unethical, overall, it may help rather than harm homeless people to improve themselves within these shelters and also help nearby businesses and societies to be more successful.
a global issue where the homeless have the right to encamp in public areas: streets, parks, underpasses, and many more. However, although it may seem right for people to camp outside, they also have options to find shelter in homeless shelters, transitional housing programs, and other camps provided. Therefore, I believe that the homeless are better off in homeless shelters and are overall better for them and society.
Homeless shelters are better for the homeless because it provides safety and stability rather than living freely in the streets. Homeless shelters may seem like a sanctuary to many people living in the streets. Not only are you given shelter and food, but you are also given safety and stability. Homeless shelters will protect you from unwanted violence and hate from the public. People who live there may create connections with other people who have experienced a similar environment. These shelters also provide a sense of stability over one’s belongings. Their belongings are usually protected 24/7 throughout the day, while in the streets, their only protection is themselves. The worry of sweeps, where police enforcement are allowed to confiscate and possibly destroy camps, is also eliminated when living in a shelter.
However, some people may argue that living in public areas is a choice and lifestyle rather than a requirement. They believe that rather than forcing homeless people to move to shelters, they should protect the homeless from being attacked or forcibly removed from public spaces. As many homeless who lived on homeless streets have built relationships with people around them, sweeps have destroyed the lives of the homeless in public areas. Destroying most of their property such as their personal ID, clothes, tents, and even medical pills. The amount of stress buildup from trying to get food every day, worrying about sweeps, and bad conditions will further influence bad mental health which could lead to abuse of alcohol, and substances, and even develop mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Homeless shelters will provide mental assistance and help aided by the government, thus, being forced to live in these shelters will forcibly help the homeless and benefit their future. Living in a community with people who have experienced the same may also benefit the homeless. Nearby businesses are also impacted due to the homeless. Homeless who are found sleeping, panhandling, or public excretion or urination are unfavorable environments for businesses as customers will find these environments disturbing.
In conclusion, although people may believe forcibly removing the homeless from encamping in public spaces is harsh and unethical, overall, it may help rather than harm homeless people to improve themselves within these shelters and also help nearby businesses and societies to be more successful.