It has been a very long time since I have blogged on this
site. I confess to getting caught up in my own life. I guess it is simply
easier to work within my personal sphere of influence and trust the universe to
ripple (as it is inclined to do) that small good into the world. So never lose
sight of the incredible impact you have as you go about putting your time
energy and love into your communities. Thank you …on behalf of a grateful and
changing world.
So what brings me back to this forum? I have been giving much thought to the
affordable housing models which are being used today. Bearing in mind that we
were many decades without any affordable housing initiatives, since the failed
city housing ghettos of the 60s and 70s. Hooray for social consciousness and
what we do have…. but as with all things it is growing and hopefully evolving.
The problem most cities have with ending homelessness is
that access to housing (as with most of our culture for thousands of years) is
based on a meritocracy. The idea that one is more worthy then another….that
each must earn the right to x y or z. I
am not here to argue against or for the validity of meritocracy….there are
examples in human and animal kingdoms which support both positions. I am simply
saying that in ending homelessness, meritocracy does not work.
A person is not an addict because they love the taste of a
smooth malt on the back on their throat, or the sensation of needle piercing their
skin. They like being some place besides awake
in their reality. As harshly as society may judge, we all judge ourselves more
harshly. Now imagine having NOTHING; being NOTHING in a meritocracy where worth
is rewarded. You have no value…. Why would you deserve a better life…a home… a
job, the love and support of a family and/or a community? When someone has
reached that point they cannot be motivated by rewards because they do not
believe they merit a reward. When we start valuing people just because they ARE PEOPLE
we will see a little less self-loathing and more aspiring from them.
Everyone
deserves a place to call home. It can be done …Utah was the first to eliminate
homelessness and one major Alberta city has followed their example. It does not
matter why we give housing to anyone/everyone; maybe we are motivated by compassion or by the cost effectiveness
of affordable housing ($20,000 per year against the cost of providing support
services to the homeless ($100,000 per year) the result is the same. Better
quality of life for every member of our community.
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