This Land is Whose Land?

“As I was walkin’ – I saw a sign there
And that sign said – no tress passin’
But on the other side …. it didn’t say nothin!
Now that side was made for you and me!

This land is your land, this land is my land
From California, to the New York Island
From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me

In the squares of the city – In the shadow of the steeple
Near the relief office – I see my people
And some are grumblin’ and some are wonderin’
If this land’s still made for you and me.

This land is your land, this land is my land
From California, to the New York Island
From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me” – Woody Guthrie 1940

It’s All in Your Head

We know the money is “out there”, as well as the land, and the structures…so, what’s stopping us from fixing the housing shortage problem?

“The mental world can be grounded in the physical world by the concepts of information, computation, and feedback.” – Steven Pinker, from “The Blank Slate”, 2002

As a civilized society, it’s difficult to accept the reality and responsibility of homelessness. Extreme poverty goes against every moral and ethical fiber in our DNA, yet is extremely inconvenient to a commodity-based consumer culture. Our system, through the channels of media, government and finance, requires an elevation of our comfort level, or at the minimum, the illusion of such. You certainly wouldn’t be encouraged or expected to spend money to increase your discomfort. Yet pain and discomfort can also be powerful motivators.

We must find a way to turn the discomfort of homelessness, into a warm and fuzzy comfort felt by those who have the ways and means to solve the problem. Fixing the problem could now become an addictive adrenalin rush, and a nearly insatiable lust for what makes us feel good. The energies used in satisfying our own needs for comfort and security can be harnessed to also improve the comfort and security of those less fortunate.

“An infinite range of behavior can be generated by finite combinatorial(sic)programs in the mind.”- Pinker

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you…the golden rule. Golden, because it not only satisfies the lusts and greed of human nature, but cures the ailments of your neighbor. When “the me first” philosophy begets the automatic “and them, too”.

So, fix it, already! You have every reason to believe that the process of eliminating homelessness will make you richer, happier, and far more comfortable.

The Trust for Public Land NH

Camping

Portable People

Marijuana Farming for the Homeless

Before you roll your eyes, we’ve got to start thinking outside the box, to create the revenue and community support needed to house those without a roof.

I’ve often promoted the idea of a federal megabucks lottery. Every week a million dollar winner, the rest going towards a just healthcare system, and affordable housing. Those that would rather gamble their money than put it to good use, may now do both. Casinos may also provide a source of revenue to help alleviate poverty issues. Of course, we’d have to do a better job than we did with state lottery money meant to build on and enhance public education.

The revenue that could be tapped from sales and taxes on marijuana grown could alleviate the affordable housing issue overnight, relatively speaking. We take an acre or two of state or city land to be used as a prototype for future growers, who will supply the legal dispensaries of medical marijuana with their product. This project could be done with support from UNH Agricultural Dept, and provide the city with a valuable template for future growers, as well as test the chains of distribution for medical marijuana. The city would become the state’s first grower, and from the sale of the product, provide financial resources to alleviate housing shortages. Workers could be enlisted from the homeless population, with either cash or housing accommodations as payment. A bunkhouse/shelter could be built on the same property, with showers and laundry, and solar-paneled roofs, with help from grants.

I’m thinking back to the all day sun received on the city owned property adjacent to the Friendly Kitchen, and what a convenient spot that might be. Maybe further outside town, with shuttles for workers. Concord could become known as the model city who solved the housing for homeless issue, and implemented fast-track prototypes for dealing with the legalizing marijuana issue, medical or otherwise, all in one stroke.

Outside the box, down on the farm.

Legalized

RIP Hardy Macias

Home Grown

A Walk in the Park

It’s a wonderfully sunny Sunday, and we’ve been blessed with a beautiful weather week here in New Hampshire. A great day to hop on the bicycle (thanks again, Ron!), and glide thru the park. As it happens, I come across two former shelter-mates, both looking healthy and happy, as was their nature. One still living out of his car, the other housed at a local shelter. We talked of how difficult it can be to transition, and how helpful it could be to have a day job opportunity for cash, and a legal place to tent. The roller coaster phase.

While I was homeless(“houseless” is probably a better term), there were occasional day-labor opportunities presented to me that yielded much needed cash infusions. One of my former shelter mates revealed this same opportunity given him by a former shelter worker. It brought to mind how easily a network of shelter workers, having spent quality time with many of the un-housed, could screen and refer a labor ready force available for a myriad of daily cash flow opportunities within the community. Job Bank, where residents could “deposit” or post their chores with rate of pay, and be linked up with trustworthy, sincere individuals who would benefit greatly from the work, by reference of other trusted community volunteers.

We talked of tents, but it invariably led to talk of trespassing, so it wasn’t an option for any of us. I recalled the time I was first denied aid from the Rapid Transitional Housing program because of my unemployment status. Having resubmitted once employed, there were rumors of my having been approved, and I excitedly attempted to reach the program co-ordinator, but received no callbacks. With the cold shelter closing in a week’s time, I felt it necessary to spend what little money so far earned on a furnished room. It was then that I heard back from the FIT co-ordinator that yes, I had been approved for financial assistance weeks earlier, sorry for the delay. However, since I was now housed, they could no longer be of assistance.

Ideally, it would have made the difference to being comfortably housed with time to bank, or the current situation, housed paycheck by paycheck. Tents are still a plausible recourse, if we could avoid trespassing.

So, what if we offered to rent a tent site for $100 a month, on a private citizen’s land? This parcel would be a space similar to that pictured above. The location would be within walking distance of Commercial Street, home to The Friendly Kitchen, and maybe one day, an expanded resource center. A twice a day shuttle to and from town, if remotely located. Housing Bank. Again, linking up screened applicants with private citizens who may also be in need of monthly housing assistance, but have a small piece of land available for a tent site. Someone with a nice chunk of unused pasture could easily earn $1000/mo for ten tent sites.

Just sayin’…both the Job and Housing Banks sound like a walk in the park.

Earth Redux – System Down

“War on Urantia will never end so long as nations cling to the illusive notions of unlimited national sovereignty. There are only two levels of relative sovereignty on an inhabited world: the spiritual free will of the individual mortal and the collective sovereignty of mankind as a whole. Between the level of the individual human being and the level of the total of mankind, all groupings and associations are relative, transitory, and of value only in so far as they enhance the welfare, well-being, and progress of the individual and the planetary grand total — man and mankind.” – The Urantia Book (p.1487.9 ch.134:5.2)

When I read about the $23 million raised in a week for the 100+ victims of the Boston bombings, my feelings were conflicted. Certainly, the victims deserve the means to recover, if that’s even possible. We’re horrified, as a nation, when death and destruction come into our backyard. Yet we as citizens appear to be tolerating the $2 billion a week spent in Afghanistan and Iraq reaping resources and wreaking havoc. In their backyard.

When I think of what $23 million could mean to the homeless communities across the state, or what $2 billion a week could mean to ending homelessness in this country, my head wants to explode. Is the money that much easier found for “terror attack” relief, than for “failing infrastructure” repair? Couldn’t $100 billion dollars a year alleviate the affordable housing shortage, as well as provide mortgage relief for current homeowners? Where are our priorities, and why?

A recent city hall memo recognizes the system dysfunction that creates many new residents to the homeless community. Outcasts from financially failed state hospitals and overcrowded prison systems are left by the side of the street like so many stray cats.

These problems of war, poverty and homelessness cannot be repaired with money alone, even if it were available. A mindset needs adjusting. We are citizens of a town, in a state, in a country on a planet, in a solar system, in a universe among millions. We must work to respect human life everywhere, or perish. In our communities, we can make the money and time available to shelter, feed and shower the needy, despite their societal shortcomings. In our nation, we can become more aware of our global outreach, and seek to end war, and extend our compassion across the earth.

Let’s begin here in Concord with a simple concrete shower and laundry facility for the homeless, as part of an expanded resource center. Certainly the expense won’t exceed the low five figures. And the number of lives it could change is in-estimable.

A Deepening Crisis

Mysterium Tremendum

Payday arrived once again. And out it goes, just as quickly. A missing payday away from homelessness.

Without regard, however, I was feeling flush with cash. Wandered into the LLBeano outlet, and quickly discovered it catered to those living far above my means. I instead opted for a couple of cold brews at a local food-teria, my first in a few moons, a reward of sorts. Ordered an appetizer combo, met with a former homeless friend (now also employed and housed), and discussed our lessons learned over the past one hundred and twenty days, and our present anxiety of forgetting those lessons too soon. Now that we were “transitioning” and “comfortable”. The dulling of one’s senses, the lull of contentment, the routine of maintaining, or adding to, that comfort. Little challenge, or adventure. And I found myself momentarily yearning to suffer again.

Whaatt??!!

There is a moment by moment urgency experienced in homelessness. Mostly involving thought processes not normally accessed in the consumer-driven culture we share. Homeless, upon waking choose the appropriate layers of clothing to wear for the day, in walk mode. Enough pockets? Everything else you own stays behind until evening, if without a car. After breakfast at The Kitchen, what appointments need to be set, or met? Do I have cash for the day, and if not, how? Do I appear homeless to that stranger approaching? Could she/he be my next employer, or landlord? Not many that can hold out for that hope, and not that many cigarettes left. How can I, or do I need to, carry this around all day? Shit, missed my shower at the Y. Must fill the time between now, and shelter check-in tonight. Will I sleep? Stay busy, or drunk, anxious and depressed.

When we’re housed and employed the TV is turned on, the movies and popcorn, the video games played… we are instructed on how or what to feel, and what plan of action best suits society. Facebook and social networking apps keep us connected, but pre-occupied with our peers, and the standards they set. The newspaper steers our thought process, the radio quiets the buzz and hum of everyday life. Get more comfortable, have more fun, make more money.

And we are not stilled. This disquieting distraction that somehow, we just missed something. Fleeting moments, as we go about our daily work, that cannot be expressed with anecdotes….a tremendous mystery. Conscience. Instinct. Gut Feeling. Our bodies crave a sensible balance of nutrition and exercise. Our spirits seek a challenge to ascend, and the daily patterns of our lives should yield more than a weekly paycheck. This is the natural order, this introspection and directed energy available between all living things, of which we’re advised to deny. A bit of suffering re-activates our qis*.

Today is my one day off. I’ll play some music, and look forward to a meeting with The Hurricane later in the day. The sun is peeking out. There’ll be a walk to the park, expediting some laundry, grabbing some lunch, stopping by the store on the way home. No suffering expected, but ever mindful of that which I do not need, and that which they do not have.

That’s Another Story

*Simply, energy flow. I was taught this word in a game of online Scrabble by my fifth grade school crush from another era.

Shower the People

In my first week of homelessness, I was excited to learn of a shower option at the local Y. It took about a week to pass the background check to participate, but the shower that day was nothing short of heavenly, and gave me a sharp sense of renewal.
There are many homeless who cannot pass a background check, unfortunately, and I’d like to see them have this same opportunity.
To be able to cleanse yourself of road smog, dust, mud, and all kinds of nasty germs can only serve to renew your spirit, boost your confidence, and bless you with the motivation to propel yourself forward, and off the streets.
We take our showers for granted, but there are many who go without, for lack of options.
I’m just guessing at the cost of a simple concrete structure with plumbing, including two showers each for men, and two for women and children. If the money received exceeds the project, it would also be nice to have a laundry facility attached. Nothing like clean clothes to jump into after a hot shower!
I’ve been told a site can be made available, and funds received will be administered by a local non-profit agency.

The Homeless Shuffle

Approximately two weeks from today, and weather permitting, the church sponsored cold weather shelters will close for the seasons, leaving only two shelters in dire need of re-booting. The Dept of Transportation is actively posting no trespassing signs on public property in anticipation of new tent sites. The City Council is nearing the date when a newly amended panhandling ordinance will be approved. And quite likely, the local police and sheriff departments are gearing up to write tickets and arrest individuals for loitering, vagrancy and solicitation.

The shuffle begins. Which unlucky town or city will inherit the unresolved homeless problem remains to be seen. You can be assured that this issue is not unique to Concord, but shared across this great country of ours. As the economy stagnates and aims for recovery, many more will join the ranks of the disadvantaged. Companies downsized. Employees laid off, and no longer able to make house and car payments. Health benefits cut across the board, as health care costs rise. Renters will experience evictions and false trespassing charges. Food pantries and clothing banks will experience shortages, despite the goodwill of many to contribute. The war on poverty? Lost, due to apathy and bureaucratic dysfunction. The ten year plan to end homelessness? We don’t have ten years to wait.

The pot is boiling over, and someone needs to extinguish the flame.

It’s been simmering for decades, but continues being pushed to the back burner, by corporations who haven’t found a way to make a profit from homelessness. By politicians, whose only mission is to further enhance their lifestyles, and get re-elected. By charitable organizations, whose CEOs’ accumulate personal wealth on the backs of well-meaning donors, whose willing volunteers and low paid staff beg the mercy of the corporatocracy.

I have expounded in previous posts on the abundance of resources available in Concord, and duly expressed my gratitude for their existence. The spirit of volunteerism is high, and I and my brothers and sisters in the homeless community are wonderfully blessed by their service. Concord stands as a model of inventive thinking in dealing with these issues, not only for the state of New Hampshire, but the country at large. And it has the opportunity to raise the bar even further, in arriving at solutions that can be put into place, not in five or ten years, but today, right now. We need targets on which to squarely focus, be they land donations or authorizations, new housing builds, programs to get the homeless out of jails and into rehabs, off the streets, and into jobs that create a renewed sense of pride in themselves, and the community.

Driftin’ and Driftin’