Being Homeless in Gainesville is Hell.
You would think in a town where 90% are college students and different organizations that reach out the community, it would be a homeless person friendly zone, but I feel like its the opposite!
http://www.gainesvillesun.com/article/20070906/NEWS/709060320&SearchID=73294567107311
Above is an article from the Gainesville sun, that talks about some of the new city policies to beautify our city, and in the mean time displace large groups of homeless people. So many people in this day in age view homeless people as blights on the face of society, but we don't know the whole story. You'd be amazed to know that the majority of homeless people in Gainesville are Mothers and children under the age of 7. Imagine that, especially since the only people we see are the old vets sitting on the side of the road.
http://www.gainesvillesun.com/article/20070911/NEWS/70911017&SearchID=73294525178162
In response to this article, banning those people from Panhandling, in an attempt to hide a problem so many selfish people have complained about in the past years, we unknowingly have put a stop to something good. "Fill the boot" and other important organizations that depend on these yearly donations, will no longer be able to do this. Also, with some homeless people, that few dollars they get from passing motorists might be the only meal they get in days. We should be so kind to think of this.
I just feel that Gainesville is really anti-homless, because they don't want to deal with the problem. They forced people out of tent city, which was home to many families, not just individuals. Our shelters are over crowded, and their plans to build a new facility have fell through because of the longevity of the project and city commisoners feel like no one has any enthusiasim for the program.
SO basically Gainesville's Leadership team sucks
Anybody feel differently?
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2 comments:
Gainesville is anti-homeless. They act like it is the worst thing you could be. I am really ticked about the way they treat homeless and all the money they spend to build flipping fences instead of shelters! Uhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Tricia - I was wondering where you got your information from regarding homelessness and family status in Gainesville. I've been doing primary research on homelessness in Gainesville for six years and have not come across any information that supports your claim that the majority are homeless moms and kids under 7. Families w/ children make up about 12% of the total population using the HUD definition, and about 30% using the McKinney definition. Where are you looking? Thanks, and feel free to contact me at jd (at) @ acha-fl (dot) com
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