Cold keeps homeless in for the count
Point-in-time survey will give city better picture of life on the streets
By John C. Ensslin, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published January 27, 2009 at 10 a.m.
Photo by Dennis Schroeder / The Rocky
Bill Andregg, 49, a laid-off construction worker living in shelters, answers questions Tuesday at the Denver Rescue Mission's Lawrence Street Shelter for the city's ninth Point-in-Time Homeless Survey, conducted to help determine the scope of homelessness in the metro area.
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Cold weather is an enemy when you're living outside.
But Tuesday's below-freezing temperatures may have worked to the advantage of 175 volunteers who fanned out across the metro area to conduct the city's ninth Point-in-Time Homeless Survey.
Homeless people tend to congregate at shelters when the mercury drops, ensuring a more accurate count, explained Greta Walker, a spokeswoman for the Denver Rescue Mission.
"Whenever we have cold weather, we have more people," Walker said. "It's not good that it's cold . . . but we think we'll have a full house."
The survey was conducted in churches, labor sites, motels and shelters. Among the questions: Where did you stay Monday night, how many times have you been homeless in the past three years, how long have you been homeless this time?
The information is used by advocates and planners to obtain grants and develop programs for people without homes.
The survey is an attempt to calculate as precisely as possible the scope of homelessness.
The last point-in-time survey on Jan. 29, 2007, concluded that 10,604 people were homeless, up from a January 2006 survey that set the number at 9,091.
No survey was conducted in 2008.
Robert Thompson, a spokesman for Mile High United Way, said the bleak economy is expected to drive those numbers even higher.
"We're already seeing signs that point to that," Thompson said, citing an increase in calls to United Way seeking help.
"We're getting more and more calls from people who say they are homeless for the first time," Thompson said.
The survey was conducted by the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative and a number of other agencies.
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January 27, 2009
10:14 a.m.
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wyhammertime writes:
They need to wait till summer then there will be more than now after goverment get'a through milking us dry of our money, Wow just think in a few years we will work 80 plus hours a week to pay for all this bailout money,That goverment waisted and bankers stole !! Man I can't wait !!!
January 27, 2009
10:21 a.m.
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Knude writes:
This is a professional homeless person. You can tell by the uniform.
January 27, 2009
11:12 a.m.
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watcher1 writes:
From the looks of things, some of 'em may be former Denver media employees.
January 27, 2009
11:18 a.m.
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The_Punnisher writes:
Sigh. What about the underemployed homeless who are staying with friends and " borrowing " rooms? That is a much larger number than you think.
This kind of charity fits in with " charity begins at home " and is vastly underreported...
January 27, 2009
12:28 p.m.
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squeakywheel writes:
If I ever become homeless, I'm moving to a warmer climate. I may be destitute, but as long as I have a thumb to stick out, I can be destitute all the way to sunshine and warm park benches.
January 27, 2009
12:50 p.m.
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Nobama writes:
Who are the homeless? And, how can they afford cigarettes? These are choices that people make, in many cases, and then we're supposed to feel sorry for them? If they were handicapped or retarded, I could be compasionate. But, not if they are just lazy and lack initiative.
January 27, 2009
12:58 p.m.
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zerotolerance writes:
Nobama, that is really harsh of you. I used to think the same thing of homeless people. But in today's economy, if you take the average persons paycheck for 1 month, they would be homeless too!!! Hope you are loaded and no on robs you or you have life changing circumstances.. If I ever see you homeless I am going to eat a steak in your face!
January 27, 2009
1:16 p.m.
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Romanesco writes:
zero, how are Nobama's comments harsh?
He brought up a good point; why would a homeless person who is so desperate worry about cigarettes?
January 27, 2009
1:44 p.m.
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buffsblg writes:
For some mentally ill people nicotine is actually a bit of a self medication. Schizophrenics in particular are often chain smokers as nicotine has some effect of helping them organize their thoughts without the side effects of stronger psychotropic medication. Some will literally spend money on cigarettes instead of food.
My experience is that the mentally ill and developmentally delayed are a significant portion of the homeless. Many also have concurrent substance abuse issues. I believe that one of the points of this survey is to find out what percentage of the homeless are mentally ill or "retarded" as nobama so kindly puts it. Of course no facts would really ever disabuse most people of their prejudices.
Nobama should do some reading about the impact of the closing of mental institutions during the Reagan administration. That threw many previously institutionalized people on the street. The idea was that they would be served by community based organizations, but the funding never got really set up. While surely some are on the street due to choices they have made, others just got dealt a bad hand by life.
January 27, 2009
1:50 p.m.
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COLibertarian writes:
buffsblg
Good points and great questions. Different journalistic endeavors have been attempted in different areas of the country. Usually it is the Advocates for the Homeless groups that raise the biggest stink in those efforts. Recollect that a news agency in CA was sued over those types of questions........ I will have to look up and see if they were actually sued......but it made a big stink out west.........
January 27, 2009
2:06 p.m.
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gopbodybagz writes:
buffsbig makes informed & enlightened observationson this topic, thanks!
January 27, 2009
2:07 p.m.
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buffsblg writes:
Thanks cololibertarian. This is a tricky area as many of the hardcore homeless are not particularly forthcoming about their circumstances and if they are mentally ill or addicted, they are a best poor self reporters and at worst totally delusional. A survey should only be part of the process of evaluation of need and assistance.
January 27, 2009
2:09 p.m.
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KarlCheney writes:
Nobama, that is why abortions are legal, more abortions = less lazy, unmotivated homeless. Those lazy infants should get out there and work too.
January 27, 2009
2:15 p.m.
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COLibertarian writes:
buffsblg
But when it is advocates for the homeless that are worried about the outcomes of information, it becomes a greater issue. If a person or group is worried about perceptions, reality becomes less attainable........ And frankly reality needs to get a kick in the butt and that is where we can fully figure out where the priorities need to be established to fix more of the problem.......
I think there are some(not all and not a majority) that are worried more about funding than the true calling....helping people.... My biased opinion
January 27, 2009
2:20 p.m.
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The_Punnisher writes:
Yep, the bottom line is always about the MONEY, or the lack of it..
It looks like our society prays to MAMMON these days...
Even the DO-GOODERS do it ..
January 27, 2009
2:39 p.m.
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zerotolerance writes:
Romanesco, just like the funny cigarettes you smoke that you cant afford... Stop it... Dont ever be homeless I am going to smoke a pack in your face!
January 27, 2009
2:47 p.m.
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buffsblg writes:
Cannot disagree with you on some level Libertarian . There are certainly those with a vested interest in having the homeless count high and those groups also know that homeless families make better PR than the alcoholic mentally ill guy standing on the corner yelling at the voices in his head. My experience with those helping the homeless is that the great number are selfless and trying to help. That does not mean that they will not manipulate numbers to try to get more money for what they perceive to be an under served group.
I tend to be a pragmatist as well as a little bit of a bleeding heart. Shelters and mental health facilities are cheaper than jails and detox centers. There will always be a hard core group that choose the street, but if we can get those who are willing to try a bit more assistance, I think we save money in the long run. Ounce of prevention and all that.
January 27, 2009
3:25 p.m.
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Willy writes:
As a "bottom line" guy, my only question would be, wouldn't the money spent on the survey be better spent on actually providing assistance?
January 27, 2009
4:02 p.m.
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COLibertarian writes:
Willy, good afternoon to you. If the survey were used to prioritize the help needed in the most pressing areas, I will be all for it. Would be interesting to see the survey. I may have missed it above but would love to read it.
Buffsblg,
We are on the same page. I am a conservative fellow, but too am a bleeding heart for issues lke this.......as well as a bottom line guy that likes to have priorities set so that the most good can be accomplished........Low hanging fruit view........
January 27, 2009
4:03 p.m.
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The_Punnisher writes:
" That does not mean that they will not manipulate numbers to try to get more money for what they perceive to be an under served group. "
A BETTER sentence:
Those helping the homeless WILL manipulate numbers to try to get more money for what they perceive to be an under served group.
Obfuscating REALITY is one of the problems we have to deal with when we actually read a report.
That is one of the problems with M$M today.
Biased JOURNALISM instead of STRAIGHT REPORTING of THE FACTS.
Let us gather ALL the facts about the " homeless problem " ( including the one I mentioned at the beginning of this conversation ) THEN we can talk about a solution.
January 27, 2009
4:11 p.m.
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Willy writes:
CoLib - I know what you are saying but I also think it would be easy to provide assistance as they make contact. If a person needs medical care drive them to Innner City Health Center (a great cause if someone is looking for a charity to support) or some other agency that provides no/low cost medical care, take along a supply of hot meals or clothing to distribute, etc.
January 27, 2009
4:12 p.m.
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Triumph writes:
I wish we could have a bonafide way of distinguishing the homless by choice or professional bums from the homeless by no fault of their own. They need to take this survey later on in the year as the economy gets worse and the homeless caused by the bad economy will give then a more accurate count of those who trully deserve to be helped. All the lazy moochers and con men will start coming out of the wood work like they did during the Katrina disaster.
January 27, 2009
4:15 p.m.
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COLibertarian writes:
Willy,
See the clarification in your point. I originally missed it. Thanks for clarification. Agree
January 27, 2009
4:31 p.m.
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Fisherman writes:
"About 175 volunteers are fanning out across the seven-county region today to interview homeless individuals and families sleeping in shelters and cheap motels, under bridges and in Dumpsters."
If the volunteers are from ACORN, they'll find millions.
January 27, 2009
4:43 p.m.
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sweetater writes:
Fisherman,
What does ACORN do now ? Back in the 70's they helped with people finding a house and fixing them up, I am sure they are not the same organazation now. So what do they do?
January 27, 2009
5:16 p.m.
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ladida writes:
"Plumber Jonny Brown, 48, lost his job, then his apartment 18 months ago after a crash totalled his car. That left him with no way to commute to distant work sites." ...was Jonny driving with no insurance???
If he had insurance, it would have paid for his vehicle to be repaired/replaced & he would have been able to work...choices, choices.
January 27, 2009
5:33 p.m.
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seeker writes:
ladida
People with older cars do not carry full coverage. Also people who are poor. They carry only liability which does not cover repairs or replacement. Those living pay check to pay check, the "working poor", are only one or two pay checks away from homelessness. Not everyone is middle class nor could they be in any society.
January 27, 2009
6:10 p.m.
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dirty writes:
While many homeless are the victim of circumstance and/or bad luck, we would do well to remember that many are also homeless as the result of poor choices including drug use, alcoholism, criminality etc.
A number of years back when I was living on the east coast, there was a big push in our (relatively small) city to "end the scourge of homelessness". City bought and renovated a vacant apartment block, maybe 80 or so units, studio apartments. Had various "community groups" screen single long term homeless applicants. Provided an array of resources and benefits to get jobs (admitting low paying and menial) for the applicants, together with counselling, healthcare etc
Two years later the apartments were wrecked, most applicants hadn't lasted 6 months. I guess the structure of working 40 hours a week (a condition) was too much, as was the conditions of "crime free" etc. Apparently at its worse, the cops were getting called 10-20 times a day for fights, thefts, drunks, sex assaults etc...waste of taxpayer money and resources, volunteer's time, and for many of us goodwill towards the homeless
January 27, 2009
6:16 p.m.
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DakotaPlainsman writes:
For those interested, the survey (2008 version, may have changed in 2009) is posted on the Colorado Dept of Human Services Website:
http://www.cdhs.state.co.us/shhp/PDFs...
January 27, 2009
9:25 p.m.
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darkman writes:
IndigoBlue writes:
"I wish we could have a bonafide way of distinguishing the homless by choice or professional bums from the homeless by no fault of their own. They need to take this survey later on in the year as the economy gets worse and the homeless caused by the bad economy will give then a more accurate count of those who trully deserve to be helped. All the lazy moochers and con men will start coming out of the wood work like they did during the Katrina disaster."
Yeah, I wholeheartedly agree with you here. It's funny-- I was having that same thought last week on the way to work. At the offramp where I leave I70 there is always this same guy there and I'm surprised at how many give him money. I have always tried to be the type of person who would give you the shirt off my back. However, now that I've been scammed so many times by these guys in the streets I never give a dime. I now do all my charitable giving through church or with people who I personally know that are in need. It seems that the majority that I see out begging are just scammers. Last September I was in Dallas and got scammed by a guy that said he was a refugee from Katrina. After I gave him some money a guy in a wheelchair who really *was* in need told me that the guy I gave money to just makes up story after story.
Before that it was a guy who knocked on my car window in downtown Denver. He said that he had just gotten a flat tire and was going to lose his job if he couldn't get it fixed and get to work. He said he only needed $25. I told him I didn't have that much and he immediately said "that's OK...I know where there is an ATM a few blocks from here." That should've been my first tipoff but it didn't click. I let him in my car and he directed me to a 7-Eleven. When I went to get out he didn't want to go in with me. I got him the money and left. Later that night I stopped by that same store on my way home. The clerk told me that he recognized the guy from earlier and we started talking. He informed me that the guy does this all the time and the reason he didn't come in with me was that he was told he'd be arrested on sight.
It really p!sses me off because I wonder how many people there are that really do only need a temporary leg up but aren't able to get help because of all the lazy bums out there.
January 27, 2009
10:13 p.m.
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ruraldeb writes:
Mr Bauer, I am looking for a reliable cook. Very rural area....must be dependable and clean. nex2u4@hotmail.com
January 28, 2009
10:05 a.m.
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sweetater writes:
Mr. Bauer I also know of a place you could probably get part time work. Look up Micky Manor bar and grill It is on 26th and Federal. The owner is good people with a good heart.