Fix Homelessness How to rebuild human lives
Author

Marvin Olasky

watercolor-painting-of-medieval-castle-at-sunrise-landscape-stockpack-adobe-stock
Watercolor painting of medieval castle at sunrise landscape
Watercolor painting of medieval castle at sunrise landscape
Type
post
Author
Marvin Olasky
Date
August 12, 2022
Categorized
What Works
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Different Time and Place, Same Dilemmas

Marvin Olasky
August 12, 2022
What Works
In the 33 years since I’ve been on-and-off writing about homelessness issues, many readers have asked the same questions and reported the same challenges to conscience: Should I give to the person at the street corner or the freeway entrance? How can I discern who will use a dollar for food and who will use it for drugs? When I give, am I doing it primarily to feel good or to help a fellow human? Read More ›
Community First Village
Type
post
Author
Marvin Olasky
Date
August 5, 2022
Categorized
Leadership
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A Second Look at Community First! Village in Austin

Marvin Olasky
August 5, 2022
Leadership
I wrote last week about Community First! Village, located on relatively cheap land just east of Austin and getting national applause as the coolest homelessness project in what some call America’s coolest city. Read More ›
the-roman-forum-in-rome-at-sunset-stockpack-adobe-stock
The Roman Forum in Rome at sunset
The Roman Forum in Rome at sunset
Type
post
Author
Marvin Olasky
Date
July 15, 2022
Categorized
Homelessness
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Debating Sinfulness and Homelessness in the Declining Roman Empire

Marvin Olasky
July 15, 2022
Homelessness
Two of the most influential theologians in world history and the history of homelessness were born in (or maybe around) 354 A.D. I could announce it like a heavyweight championship boxing match: “From the north of the Roman empire, from an out-of-the-way island called Britain, stalks the preacher of perfection, Pelagius. From the south of the British empire, the province of Numidia in Africa, comes the master of disaster, Augustine.” Read More ›
the-golden-apse-of-the-basilica-of-saint-paul-outside-the-walls-in-rome-italy-stockpack-adobe-stock
The golden apse of the Basilica of Saint Paul outside the walls in Rome, Italy.
The golden apse of the Basilica of Saint Paul outside the walls in Rome, Italy.
Type
post
Author
Marvin Olasky
Date
July 8, 2022
Categorized
Homelessness
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Homelessness and Early Christianity

Marvin Olasky
July 8, 2022
Homelessness
In my notes from the 1990s are two well-intentioned church bulletin announcements: “Thursday night: Dinner for the homeless.  Medication to follow,” and “Don't let homelessness kill you...let the church help.” Read More ›
rome-italy-the-roman-forum-old-town-of-the-city-stockpack-adobe-stock
Rome, Italy: The Roman Forum. Old Town of the city
Rome, Italy: The Roman Forum. Old Town of the city
Type
post
Author
Marvin Olasky
Date
July 1, 2022
Categorized
Homelessness
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Homelessness in Ancient Rome

Marvin Olasky
July 1, 2022
Homelessness
Homelessness is nothing new. Two thousand years ago Roman historian Livy described a tugurium, a made-of-scraps lean-to like the ones I’ve seen homeless people construct on trash heaps in Guatemala City and Phnom Penh. British historian Peter Brunt’s summary is blunt: “Most of the inhabitants of Rome lived in appalling slums.’” Read More ›
homeless-in-san-francisco-sheltering-in-place-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-stockpack-adobe-stock
Homeless in San Francisco sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic
Homeless in San Francisco sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic
Type
post
Author
Marvin Olasky
Date
June 17, 2022
Categorized
Crime, Law, and Order
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Do Homeless Lives Matter? Nine Fatal Minutes, Two Years Later

Marvin Olasky
June 17, 2022
Crime, Law, and Order
“Internet trolls said out loud what many people may be ashamed to even think: Just two more dead bums.” Read More ›
man-standing-on-street-is-collecting-money-for-charity-and-holds-jar-with-coins-stockpack-adobe-stock
Man standing on street is collecting money for charity and holds jar with coins.
Man standing on street is collecting money for charity and holds jar with coins.
Type
post
Author
Marvin Olasky
Date
June 10, 2022
Categorized
What Works
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Learning From History

Marvin Olasky
June 10, 2022
What Works
In helping the homeless we should be both generous and discerning. If we only provide material help in a way that enables addiction and overlooks mental illness, our generosity may be selfishness that gives ourselves a warm glow but hurts others. Read More ›