Mike Rounds sent out a fundraising e-mail Monday saying that to “stand up against the radical left-wing mob” and “continue to deliver on the promise of… growing our economy,” we need to “protect our Republican majority in the Senate!”
Instead of worrying about imaginary mobs, perhaps Senator Rounds should spend more time figuring out why his alleged economic growth is resulting in more homeless people on the streets of Sioux Falls:
A study from the Augustana Research Institute presented to the Sioux Falls City Council and Minnehaha County Commission Tuesday night says Sioux Falls has a higher rate of homelessness compared to other similar communities. The numbers persist despite a 2005 push by the city to end homelessness by 2015.
The study recommends making homelessness a consideration across all areas of governing [Carter Woodiel, “Sioux Falls Homelessness Remains High, Report Says,” KELO Radio, 2019.11.26].
We’re complaining about driving in this weather; some people have to live in it, with no reliable roof of their own.
According to the Augustana report, Sioux Falls has higher-than-average homeless numbers, but it also has higher-than-average shelter capacity than comparable communities:
People in the Sioux Falls area continue to experience homelessness.In 2018, the point-in-time count in Sioux Falls the number of people experiencing homelessness who were identified was 219 per 100,000 people in the general population. This rate is higher than nearly all Rural and Suburban Continuums of Care (CoC), higher than 75% of Other Urban CoCs, and higher than the median rate among Major Cities CoCs. Sioux Falls ranks near the middle in the number of veterans and chronically homeless identified by the point-in-time count. In 2016-17, the ratio of homeless students to enrolled students in the Sioux Falls School District was higher than the rate in more than 50% of LEAs nationally.
Compared to other communities, people experiencing homelessness in Sioux Falls are more likely to be sheltered than unsheltered. This finding is consistent with findings about the capacity of Sioux Falls to house people experiencing homelessness. Relative to other communities, Sioux Falls has a higher proportion of emergency or temporary shelter beds available than permanent housing options [“Community Collaboration to Confront Homelessness,” Augustana Research Institute, August 2019].
The report notes that, among other problems, boosterism overtook problem-solving:
Others said that the leadership vacuum was external. City boosters, they explained, preferred to downplay homelessness and instead focus on the city’s virtues, so they paid little attention to the HAB [Augustana, August 2019].
Less BS and marketing, more problem-solving—we could use that paradigm shift from all of our elected officials.
Boosterism is a big problem everywhere. It doesn’t matter if the mayor is conservative or progressive, the political and economic machine in town often pretend that everything is hunky dory. Usually, it’s because the machines want city dollars funneled their way, not to address real problems. All this gets in the way of addressing and solving issues, or it results in treating people down on their luck more inhumanely. All so that money can bubble up to the elite. Inequality wins.
How To Help Our Homeless Neighbors
– “Don’t be discouraged.”
What I wish for people to keep in mind is this: Always offer help first, rather than giving someone something they may not actually want or need. Many of your neighbors in need will be grateful for your offer. But you may also encounter someone who is having a really rough time and may be unable to appreciate your help. Please, don’t be discouraged. Just smile and keep on your way. You may find someone else to help.
– “Consider just giving them some clean water.”
If you see someone suffering from homelessness, consider just giving them some clean water to drink. Many say they often are so thirsty, and all anyone ever has is soda or alcohol.
– “If you know someone who owns rentals, ask them why they don’t take Section 8.”
If you own rentals, start accepting Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and other third-party payers. If you know someone who owns rentals, ask them why they don’t take Section 8. **Homeless folks can’t thank enough every employee that broke their boss’s rules about “no public restrooms” to let their kids and themselves use a hygienic toilet.
(SD needs a new law making it illegal to discriminate against tenants with housing vouchers.)
– “Know your area’s resources and pass them along.”
The most helpful thing by far that anyone can give the homeless is knowledge. When you first become homeless in Sioux Falls, the resources most helpful are where to shower, where soup kitchens are, where to get medical care, and how to get food stamps. Finding out what emotional support groups are available, where to get financial and job assistance, how to get free college classes, how to secure a mailing address, and so much more, can enormously help people.
– “Volunteering will give you an insight into your fellow humans who are suffering.”
Find your local food pantry (or homeless shelter) and volunteer. They constantly need extra people so they can serve 300 to 400 families a week. Volunteering will give you an insight into your fellow humans who are suffering. You may be inspired to donate money to help or take a bigger role to end homelessness.
Happy Holidays, Sioux Falls friends :)
Sounds like good advice – thanks Porter.
Excellent Porter. Thanks.
Remember, it’s not Left v. Right. It’s Top v. Bottom.
That’s why there are so many homeless people all across the country.
https://www.rawstory.com/2019/11/we-got-side-tracked-by-really-bad-economic-policy-moodys-analyst-reveals-how-trumps-economy-is-a-flop/
An MSNBC report from Chris Hayes took a deeper dive into economic numbers, showing the difficulties people are facing. The Peterson Foundation revealed in a late October poll that only 35 percent of Americans believe they are better off than before. A full 33 percent say they’re the same and 31 percent said they are worse off. That is an astounding two-thirds of Americans who aren’t benefitting in President Donald Trump’s economy.
Meanwhile, the orange whatever it is is in Afghanistan patting himself on the back for the great economy and everyone’s 401ks, which not everyone can afford to have.
Happy Thanksgiving homeless.
This is the time of year when donations of all kinds roll in for people in need and politicians get their photos taken while helping out. Notice for example, Cadet Bone Spurs got his photo taken serving dinner to soldiers in Afghanistan. (1 pt for that puts him at -14,983)
They’ll be back to business as usual on 1/2/2020.
Support the homeless thrift store at 705 E. 8th St. for some crazy reason the city of Sioux Falls will not allow them to have a sign to advertise the store so a lot of people don’t know it’s there, but it’s a nice place on the first floor of an interesting old warehouse building. The women are housed upstairs the men at a different location. They don’t always need clothing donations because they can’t sell or give them away fast enough so buy some stuff gives them operating income. Picture of store entrance below.
https://uniongospelmissionsf.org/contact/
This sure enough oughta help the homeless s’mores.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/trump-administration-proposal-could-cause-millions-lose-food-stamps-n1092866
Nothing says loving like wingnuts stealing poor’s food from the oven. They’ll make it up to the wealthiest welfare recipients, sure nuff. Happy Holidays poor people.
Years ago, I think under George Bush, he wanted to cut back on government programs so that private charities would take their place as was done earlier in the last century. At the time it seemed crazy and uncaring to me, but maybe a blend is better. Local charities get to know their own people, and people probably donate more when it’s voluntary. Some of our local groups like the clothing and food bank are doing very good work. Local people touching other local people’s lives and the recipients may benefit from understanding what they get is coming from people who actually care and want to give. A private charity recently told me they set a small price on their clothing (not the store mentioned above others are also helping the homeless and low income) or otherwise they take too much and throw it out. These small charities can adapt based on their local population who they should get to know best. I think there is something to be said about those in need of help being dependent on those willing to give it, at least to some extent. That encourages real caring and the dynamics are bound to be different.
Chariies are well and fine until religion steps in and discrimination is allowed. dumbass dubya did that with Salvation Army. Started giving them federal money and still allowed them to hire ONLY kristian workers.
https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4945299
Fed court agrees with dumbass dubya administration the SA can use religion in its hiring/firing practices.
And then there are charities like the Donald J. Trump Foundation.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/18/nyregion/ny-ag-underwood-trump-foundation.html
See generally,
https://smartasset.com/mortgage/the-50-worst-charities-in-america-how-to-keep-from-being-scammed
Illegalities and drumpf are conjoined twins and inseperable.
“Local charities” are a two edged concept. While many local charities make an incredibly positive difference in the communities they serve, the scam article linked in my last comment also points out a downside:
HC, “private charities would take their place as was done earlier in the last century.” They weren’t enough. People, families died of malnutrition, lack of adequate sanitation, health care and clean water. That’s why FDR implemented many of the services he (Think Eleanor) insisted on.
I agree with you that a blend is the best bet. Food shelves have become a well organized, nationwide system that receives commodities from the fed and disburses it to regions, thence to local shelves. The local shelves also get food from grocery stores that has expired, but is still safe to eat, plus donations from local folks.
Medium sized towns of 20,000 – 100,000 do pretty well. Smaller and larger don’t because the smaller lack a base and the larger have too many in need to provide for.
All food shelves get some fed $ via various assistance programs through the Ag Department.
I’ve worked with various food shelves in Minnesota. The best place to be poor is a wealthy suburb because the residents donate a lot of good quality food, clothing, etc. The hard part is finding an affordable, but decent place to live in the burb.