Catch 22 - homelessness

[Osem]

Came across a homeless guy locally the other day and have been keeping an eye on him since, especially as it's been so cold. I took him some hot food earlier and managed to find out his story which I have no reason to doubt. It goes as follows: well educated married guy with 2 children and a normal family life with the obligatory 'six of one and half a dozen of the other' marital stresses; comes home one day to find wife in bed with another guy; he kicks off and gets removed from the home; he's now homeless gets & sacked from his job because he can't get to work on time etc.; he can't get benefits because he's been sacked and has lived on the streets since. He's tried hostels for the odd night but 'they're full of drunks and druggies' who think nothing of attacking and/or robbing you and he's been the victim of this violence several times. He's managed to get a room for the odd night here and there but as LA housing/welfare priorities go he's bottom of the list is seems. Passers by tell him to "get off his arse and get a job" but he can't get a job with nowhere to live. I didn't tell him but, yesterday, I reported him to a homeless charity hoping they may be able to help him. By the sound of it, though, they may not be...

Heartbreaking really.

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by Osem

Came across a homeless guy locally the other day and have been keeping an eye on him since, especially as it's been so cold. I took him some hot food earlier and managed to find out his story which I have no reason to doubt. It goes as follows: well educated married guy with 2 children and a normal family life with the obligatory 'six of one and half a dozen of the other' marital stresses; comes home one day to find wife in bed with another guy; he kicks off and gets removed from the home; he's now homeless gets & sacked from his job because he can't get to work on time etc.; he can't get benefits because he's been sacked and has lived on the streets since. He's tried hostels for the odd night but 'they're full of drunks and druggies' who think nothing of attacking and/or robbing you and he's been the victim of this violence several times. He's managed to get a room for the odd night here and there but as LA housing/welfare priorities go he's bottom of the list is seems. Passers by tell him to "get off his arse and get a job" but he can't get a job with nowhere to live. I didn't tell him but, yesterday, I reported him to a homeless charity hoping they may be able to help him. By the sound of it, though, they may not be...

Heartbreaking really.

Well done Sir

[Osem]

We see very few rough sleepers around here but a few years ago there was a homeless alcoholic guy who used to regularly sleep in the doorway of our old job centre. I often used to sit on a small green area nearby with my 2 young lads and had seen him many times before so this particular day nothing seemed untoward as I read the paper and my lads ran around on the grass. It was only some time later that I discovered from the local paper that, later that same day, a passer by had become suspicious that he had not moved at all and found he was dead. Apparently he'd died in the night and his body had been lying there all day as people, including me, went about their normal routine. I suppose I'm thinking that rather than being the stereotypical no good, lazy, unemployed waster people tend to assume, he could well have started out just like the guy I talked to today. Maybe that's how most of these people find themselves in a downward spiral leading to despair, alcohol abuse and worse.

[mertle]

sad state affiars for sure many in that catch 22.

It can hit any walk life this what been trying to say many times. Those who making remarks could find themselves in this poor man situation or out of job looking for work.

Until we ring fence our safety net and help all those who in need homeless etc.

Are we becoming such heartless country today.

I hope those who said those nasty things to him wont end up like his situation. Dont think you could wish it on anyone. We need to real back that compationate nation.

I hope the fella finds help gets him back on track.

---------- Post added at 14:59 ---------- Previous post was at 14:44 ----------

Originally Posted by Osem

We see very few rough sleepers around here but a few years ago there was a homeless alcoholic guy who used to regularly sleep in the doorway of our old job centre. I often used to sit on a small green area nearby with my 2 young lads and had seen him many times before so this particular day nothing seemed untoward as I read the paper and my lads ran around on the grass. It was only some time later that I discovered from the local paper that, later that same day, a passer by had become suspicious that he had not moved at all and found he was dead. Apparently he'd died in the night and his body had been lying there all day as people, including me, went about their normal routine. I suppose I'm thinking that rather than being the stereotypical no good, lazy, unemployed waster people tend to assume, he could well have started out just like the guy I talked to today. Maybe that's how most of these people find themselves in a downward spiral leading to despair, alcohol abuse and worse.

We got man who actually very popular with many in town but some despise him similar to original post. He been in trouble few time. He can get little agressive mainly swearing thats the drink sadly. If can get to talk he its horror show of decline. Council banned him all over area in out jail for breach.

He worked in petrochemical industry as a manager/supervisor think remember. His wife became ill died suddenly he ended raising his kids. It became too much no help those days. He withdrawn got sacked now help from state. Simply never got over her death sadly.

He ended up like the boys from blackstuff kids taken away. the rest is sort spiral out control. If there been help who knows he might turned into the person he is today.

I would imagine look at any drug/alcoholic/homeless many will have curve of similar downturn. I doubt many do it by choice. Which seems way people talk to them in streets you would think it.

This why we should not be doing what we doing today thats with those people with the atitude and all governments.

[thenry]

horrible read. best wishes to him.

[Mr_love_monkey]

It shows how easy it is to 'fall through the cracks' in society - those people that don't have support of families can rapidly find themselves in these situations - sadly all it takes is 'one bad day'.

Such a shame to hear about the guy in the OP (and others) - as M_l_m says, it shows how those without support of family/friends can suddenly find themselves on the outside of society.

Originally Posted by Osem

Came across a homeless guy locally the other day and have been keeping an eye on him since, especially as it's been so cold. I took him some hot food earlier and managed to find out his story which I have no reason to doubt. It goes as follows: well educated married guy with 2 children and a normal family life with the obligatory 'six of one and half a dozen of the other' marital stresses; comes home one day to find wife in bed with another guy; he kicks off and gets removed from the home; he's now homeless gets & sacked from his job because he can't get to work on time etc.; he can't get benefits because he's been sacked and has lived on the streets since. He's tried hostels for the odd night but 'they're full of drunks and druggies' who think nothing of attacking and/or robbing you and he's been the victim of this violence several times. He's managed to get a room for the odd night here and there but as LA housing/welfare priorities go he's bottom of the list is seems. Passers by tell him to "get off his arse and get a job" but he can't get a job with nowhere to live. I didn't tell him but, yesterday, I reported him to a homeless charity hoping they may be able to help him. By the sound of it, though, they may not be...

Heartbreaking really.

Good for you Osem, you should be very proud. Serves as a warning that this can happen to anyone.

[Gary L]

Originally Posted by Osem

Passers by tell him to "get off his arse and get a job" but he can't get a job with nowhere to live.

Can't you take him in?
he'll have somewhere to live and he can get a job because he's got somewhere to live then?

[thenry]

thats risky Gary

[Gary L]

Why?
just because he's homeless it doesn't make him a murderer

or you worried he might not want to move out?

[thenry]

you don't know the person. thats a worry. i dont even think karate kid would take that risk.

Originally Posted by Gary L

Why?
just because he's homeless it doesn't make him a murderer

or you worried he might not want to move out?

I think Osem has enough on his plate with his son as it is.