Photo by Susan Madden Lankford
He writes:
In every municipality I visited, members of the groups trying to fix homelessness — government, continuums of care, service providers and even homeless advocates — are arguing over polar views on how to deal with the problem in their locale. This creates a natural divide among the stakeholders that cannot be overcome. In communities that have made significant and measured progress; it has been accomplished in spite of this fact.
Rebman believes that homelessness will never be solved in today’s political and social environment. He thinks that every community, despite its commitment to the cause, is completely immobilized by a cycle of blame. Entities are arguing over extreme views and pointing fingers at each other, because our society requires it for them to remain viable as an organization. So nothing gets done. He adds:
We expect the people trying to help the homeless to give us one-minute sound bites on why they are the organization that should be funded, so we can get back to our lives. How can they unite to solve the problem when they must compete for their survival?
Governments are under pressure to justify their behavior, not actually solve the problem. Law enforcement is painted with a broad brush as uncaring and even aggressive, to gain support. Advocates for the homeless are relegated to sensationalism to achieve anything at all for the people they serve.
The sad truth is that the public, knowingly, apathetically or through coercion, allows known lies to proliferate and destroy any chance we have for success. We convince other people that it is the fault of social service agencies, which attract the homeless. Or it is the government officials who are greedy, or law enforcement acting mean to them. Perhaps it is those left-wing homeless advocates who exaggerate the problem, or the business leaders who want them out of the city just to make more money. Finally, the majority of citizens tell themselves the ultimate lie: It is the homeless who are to blame; they are lazy and take advantage of the system.
So how does Rebman believe we will succeed in eliminating homelessness–besides providing homes for them, which has worked in Utah, Alberta, Minnesota, Massachusetts and elsewhere?
It is very simple, yet almost impossible. We need to destroy stereotypes caused by the constant finger-pointing necessary for financial survival. We do that through public education and awareness. True education and constant exposure of the problems will quickly lead to sustainable solutions. The problem is our only common ground; it is the only point on which we all agree. Put public awareness first, not last.
