Low Income and Double Housing

Many poor people are at risk of homelessness. Ultimately, this is because it is hard for them to afford housing. Two major indications of this struggle are the housing cost burden and living doubled up.

Renter households that pay more than 50 percent of their income towards housing are experiencing a severe housing cost burden. The numbers of households facing this burden totaled 6,902,060 in 2016.

In 2016 (the latest American Community Survey estimates), 4,609,826 people in poor households were doubled up with family and friends, one of the most common prior living situations for people who become homeless.

External factors such as policies and legislation can influence cultural identity within a community by shaping the values and beliefs of individuals. People with similar experiences naturally find a sense of belonging among others who have shared experiences, contributing to their cultural identity. Beginning in 2012, three economic and political changes occurred in Colorado directly contributing to the increase of the homeless population in Denver. The trifecta effect included three economic and political changes that led to the rise in the homeless population in Denver- the legalization of marijuana, The Affordable Care Act and the economic boom.

1. Legalization of Marijuana- With the legalization of recreational marijuana in 2012 under Colorado Amendment 64, Colorado experienced a significant population boom after the enactment of this amendment. Over the course of 7 years, Denvers population increased by 100,000, putting significant pressure on the housing industry to meet the demand (Murray).
2. Affordable Care Act- The legalization of Marijuana made Colorado an appealing destination for many people. The Affordable Care Act was enacted in 2010, with major provisions coming into effect in 2014. The availability and expansion of single-payer healthcare along with the legalization of marijuana created conditions that favored internal migration to Colorado.
3. Economic Boom- In 2017, the marijuana industry brought in over $1.5 billion in Colorado, becoming the second leading economic industry in the state (Bzdek). A surge in the Denver Economy and a significant increase in population led to increasing housing costs, displacing low-wage workers from their homes.

The Political Reaction...

The rise of population in Denver also led to an increase in the homeless population. With this increase, more pressure was placed on non-profits and the local government to adequately provide the services the homeless population needed. As local non-profits and city officials were trying to work together to formulate a plan that addressed the increase in homeless population, there was push-back from local citizens. This pushback led to certain policies that essentially made homelessness illegal.

Denver’s Urban Camping Ban Ordinance

Denver's Urban Camping Ban Ordinance bans tarps, sleeping bags and tents in public spaces. Homeless individuals are directly targeted, as this ordinance criminalizes homelessness by gearing the rhetoric of this legislation towards the common actions of people experiencing homelessness. Sweeps are made by The Denver Police Department in order to enforce the ban and keep people from camping on the streets.

Religion

In Denver, Colorado, many of the non-profit homeless shelters are faith based. Taking into account of cultural identities within that community, out of the population in the city, 64% are Christian, 29% is not affiliated with a religion, and 5% is non-Christian. Allowing religion to play a part in the journey of those experiencing homelessness may provide hope and guidance to some, but could also cause some discouragement or resistance. When being in those spaces, religion is surrounded to the population, and faith based services are also given. Respecting the lifestyle choices of others is important when helping the community that is being affected and offering support.

Race

Identifying as a minority when being a part of the homelessness community, may have a different experience, than the white counterpart. "Multiminority individuals typically have less access to social status and community resources that might have a buffering effect against discrimination and social isolation, since they may be rejected by all majority and minority groups within which they are also a minority on some other dimensions," according to the Social Justice Journal. It is imperative to understand the experiences of others and that the situation is not the same with everyone within the community.

Community

You may wonder why all homeless people don't hate being homeless, or why moving into stable housing can be so hard for them, but a lot of that has to do with a sense of community. Just because someone is experiencing homelessness doesn't mean that they don't need human contact or connection; they need it just as much as people in homes, if not more. So when they're out on the streets or surfing through all the shelters in town they're surrounded by their community. They have people around them that understand what they're going through and know what its like to be in similar, if not the same, situations as them. Its creates a feeling or normalcy within ones self to know that other people feel and think the same way. So when homeless individuals find housing or are placed into housing they often loose that connection to their community. Because they're in a stable house surrounded by other people that have always had and they don't get to talk Leroy from the corner of West and Main about being ex-military and Cindy from the soup kitchen isn't there to give a motherly comfort. Loosing your friends from the street or shelters is loosing a community and that takes a huge toll on the homeless population.

This was evident while we were in Denver because we could see all the friendships and families that were being built in the shelters. Groups of 2,3,4 sometimes 5 would come in and always be together. Or a man that the employs knew would come up and chat for the entire meal time. Or the line cook would recognizes someone from their time on the streets and slip them an extra cookie or two. It wasn't that we couldn't see the hardships or feel anyone's pain, it was that the sense of community in the air was palpable among the individuals we served and worked with.

What is it?

Treating anyone and everyone with respect, dignity, and care.

Why does it matter?

So often we as the general population will walk past a homeless person on the street or sidewalk without even looking at them because that's what we've been trained to do. There is a large stigma around homeless people that promotes them as mean, lazy, probably infected, most likely addicted criminals; and that is just not the case for most of them. But we still walk past them with distaste and hatred as if they're a pile of trash and not an actual human being. We won't even make eye contact with them.

How to use it?

Eye contact. A wave. A smile. A "Have a great day". These are all ways to show basic human respect and decency and they are all ways that can help uplift the spirits of someone in a hard place. Small gestures of recognition can make a person feel seen in a way they haven't before

How does it help?

The Human Factor ends the habit of dehumanizing people that are in a tougher place than we are and helps promote kind gestures and respect. The simple act of making eye contact and smiling at can change their entire mood, or even their entire day. But either, its make an impact and that's whats important.