Nan Roman, the head of the US National Alliance to End Homelessness, tells a Brisbane conference that Australia has enough resources to end homelessness.
I would add that it is not just about providing people a home — it means providing a stable community to support them, a job to fund them and understanding what caused them to become homeless in the first place.
Great conversation — but let’s see this thought through. I wish more and more of the social workers and box-tickers in the agencies would come spend time with my friends at the community meals and on the streets and not just see them as numbers or statistics with box’s to match them.
Click the following to view the news segment.
Australia could cure homelessness: US expert — ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
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I heard this lady on Radio National, and I believe that they classify homelessness differently to us – including only rough sleepers.
Another point. I can see where you are coming from, but as a social worker who works in a community agency I disagree with your comment about SWs seeing the community as numbers. In the organisation I work in all the agency policy makers spent years working in the 'front line' before they worked in research and advocacy. I believe they all have faces in their minds of clients they have worked with over the years. Also in our organisation there are many employees who have their own lived experience (Mental Health in this example). I do not know if you are talking about a specific situation of which I am unaware, however the generalisation is unappreciated. Another point is that those who are advocating for government funds need to the government language to get money, and unfortunately that means numbers talk.
On a positive note, I enjoy reading your blog.
Hi Andi, Thanks for the comments, much appreciated!
Yes, I have to agree with you that USAmerica and us seem to define homelessness by differing standards. I was just having this discussion with Mark Horvath who is making a doco called Invisible People in USAmerica. We agreed that homelessness, while similar, has been defined and may even be seen in a different way in each country.
As far as you disagreeing about my view that agencies and social workers would see people as more than just boxes – I take and value your opinion and say that I am more than pleased to hear that! However, in my experience with the homeless and folk struggling who are all dealing with the agencies in our area, that is one of the most common complaints and my personal observations from my advocacy work. And while it may be a stretch to be so general – to which I apologise – unfortunately you guys sound like an exception and not the norm.
Funding is a key issue – and yes numbers talk, and that with the rhetoric of helping the homeless by the current Government.
Thanks again for your support and comments – would love to have you contribute more! Shalom!
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