Can anyone tell me how difficult it is to set up a shelter

[rustydog]

for the homeless?

I work in security and have the enviable job of running off undesirables from the hospital and it's satellite buildings. There are 3 known homeless beds set up in bushes on the property and when caught the homeless are run off. I am not too bothered running them off in Spring, Summer and Fall, but it was 12 degrees last night and these people have no place to go and I have to tell them to take a hike!

I'll let one or two warm up in our waiting room for an hour or two but tell them not to return that they need to try the local mission.

I found one sleeping in the bushes at an offsite facility and I woke him (to make sure he wasn't dead) and apologized and told him to go back to sleep but not return tonight.

My God, no person should have to sleep between two sheets of cardboard in a bush, vacant building or alongside a river. not in this country.

So, how difficult is it to set up a simple place for people to sleep without fear of freezing to death?
Any suggestions or ideas?

This is an issue that really bothers me and I want to do something about it in this town aside from what the local Union Gospel Mission does. I don't want to teach, convert, preach to or save anyone...I want them to have a warm bed..Is that asking too much?

the problem is our town has a homeles population estimated at over 500 people. we are a town of 60,000 people and at least 500 are known to be homeless, so there really are more.

[Cheswick2.0]

1. I don't know, but it shouldn't be so damn difficult should it?

What is the big deal anyway? Why can't we find a way to provide homes for everyone?

[liberalhistorian]

5. Because, doncha know,

that would be (gasp! shock! horror!) SOCIALISM, and we just can't have that, can we?

[Kamika]

2. You need to get permits..

The hardest part is actually finding a place to have it. Most people LOVES the idea of a homeless shelter.. aslong as it's not close to them...

Then you need to cooperate with the police so they can be assured there's no criminal stuff going on like drugs etc.. and you NEED to work on this.. if the cops comes and find any drug the shelter is CLOSED.

[mac56]

6. You're right, Kamika.

It's called NIMBY: Not In My Back Yard.

I encountered lots of NIMBYs when trying to set up a mental health facility in a suburban neighborhood. All the good solid citizens liked the idea of local mentally ill adults getting help in their own home town - just not in their backyard. We got picketed by locals wearing T-shirts that read "Have A Nice Day - Somewhere Else".

[bearfan454]

3. At least set up a wind break.

That's what we do at the deer camp.

[liberalhistorian]

4. I'd suggest checking with local non-profits

first, or doing some research on what exactly would be required in your community to set that up. Each state and municipality is different as far as what they require, what kind of permits you have to get, the licensing requirements, etc., etc.

Or check with a local church, one which appears to actually be doing what it's supposed to, and that is help those who need help regardless of who they are, they might be able to get their resources together and they probably have congregants with practical knowledge as well.

That's how the local homeless shelter in my county got started, by a local church witnessing the growing number of homeless, including families, and fed up with the lack of action and compassion from the powers-that-be in the community.