City vs. the Activists = Homeless Lose Out
An article in the San Francisco Inquirer suggests that as the city and activists feud over what to do with the homeless, they are frozen out of the services that can help. via
"I could care less about their vigorous representation of the homeless," Henderson said. "At the end of the day, we all want to get them help."
Isn't that true? Yet there seems to be such a disconnect over what's happening on the street and the perception, it is a wonder anything gets done. Local attorney Jim Haas wonders if it might be worthwhile for local law firms, many of whom provide pro bono attorneys for homeless causes, to meet with representatives from the district attorney's office to discuss what is being accomplished.
No one doubts the motives or intentions of pro bono efforts. But what is the best use of the time of idealistic, well-educated attorneys? To get public-drunkenness citations dismissed? Or to help the down-and-out homeless work their way through the complicated system to get monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments? Or to guide homeless veterans through the process to get their benefits and medical plans?
9:29 PM ::
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2 Comments:
I wonder how much better these people would be served, if they were in a smaller city - like a Fresno or a Stockton. Easier to get around, more likely to have an individual care for a person, rather than a case worker with hundreds?
Two homeless just died - "Skateboard" and "Cousin-It" - they just fell through the cracks. I'm no pro, I just see the same people every day, so if I notice a couple are missing, I'm sure there are dozens I don't see.
I have thought about even here. Saskatoon is 220,000 or so but even here social workers have case loads of 100s and it is getting worse with social services now to be delivered from a call centre (yeah, I am serious).
I don't know the answer to this.
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