Fix Homelessness How to rebuild human lives

Blog | Page 24

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The Roman Forum in Rome at sunset
The Roman Forum in Rome at sunset

Debating Sinfulness and Homelessness in the Declining Roman Empire

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 ›
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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.

Homelessness and Early Christianity

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 ›
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Rome, Italy: The Roman Forum. Old Town of the city
Rome, Italy: The Roman Forum. Old Town of the city

Homelessness in Ancient Rome

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 ›
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Young poor skinny anorexic bald homeless man sitting on the urban street in the city or town near old wall trying to hide his face, homelessness social documentary concept
Photo licensed via Adobe Stock

Republicans Could Lead on Mental Health Treatment

Tucked away in the gun law President Biden just signed is a provision increasing funding for preventive outpatient treatment for mental illness. This is an important step toward solving America’s mental-health crisis but only part of what’s needed. Read More ›
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Homeless in San Francisco sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic
Homeless in San Francisco sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic

Do Homeless Lives Matter? Nine Fatal Minutes, Two Years Later

“Internet trolls said out loud what many people may be ashamed to even think: Just two more dead bums.” Read More ›
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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.

Learning From History

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 ›
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People support each other in a rehab session
People support each other in a rehab session

Human Lives

If you've seen the TV show "Welcome Back, Kotter," you may sense a bit of what I'm feeling now. During the 1990s I wrote a lot about homelessness, and I’m jumping back into the subject now with Fix Homelessness and the crucial subtitle of this website, "How to rebuild human lives." Read More ›
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Robert Marbut on America’s Homelessness Crisis, Strategies for Uplifting the Homeless, and Effective Government Policies

Homelessness has reached crisis proportions. Few issues of human dignity are as heart wrenching as the wretched scenes in our most prosperous cities—San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, and Seattle—where one can drive down main thoroughfares and be confronted with tent encampments lining streets that provide scant shelter for thousands of destitute people. Read More ›