Homelessness, is divided into 3 groups of people. Chronic Homeless, those who are out on the streets on a consistent basis year after year. Invisible Homeless, those who are living in people’s homes, in their cars, or RVs and are often under employed, have SSI and are living in what I consider the poverty zone. A third group of homeless I like to call the transitioners. Transitioners are those who are homeless for a few months and overcome homelessness through hard work and determination and often are not on the roles of agencies for long but use their services in times of need. All of the above groups have a serious problem accessing services provided by locals here in San Diego.

San Diego does not provide good services to really help the homeless get out of homelessness. The police create a police like state often harassing homeless, searching their possessions, and demonizing homelessness. They funnel homeless into zones, aka “ghettos” where homeless are subjected to a high crime area, drugs, violence, and discrimation. The area here in San Diego is known as The Bottoms. It lacks in adequate bathroom facilities, and is not a friendly part of town to have to live in . Which many are forced to do.

San Diego is home to roughly 7500 homeless spread out through San Diego County and in the Metro Area. This is sad.

1. Access to Transportation

Unless you are disabled, or a senior it is nearly impossible to move around outside San Diego’s Ghetto for the Homeless. Thus creating a situation where all three subgroups of homeless are stuck in this dangerous part of town, increasing crime, violence, and drug use, as well as creating a cycle of homelessness and hopelessness. One solution to aid the  homeless would be a program to provide affordable indigent bus passes for the homeless to search for work or other opportunities to get themselves off the street.

2. Access to Laundry Services

Currently San Diego’s Homeless are served by one washer and dryer at the Neil Good Day Center. This is severely inadequate for those who are unable to afford it. It again creates a system where homeless are forced to remain in The Bottoms in order to find clean clothing and access to sanitary services. Imagine Sharing Your Washer and Dryer with 7500 hundred people with only a 1 hour window of access every single day.

3. Access to Food During Off Hours of Shelters and Missions

Let’s say you go look for work. There are no off hour access to food. If you do get a job there is little in the way of access to be able to feed yourself while you are awaiting your first paycheck.  To me this is a shame. And creates a lack of motivation to want to get out of The Bottoms and go make yourself a better life. Hunger becames a serious issue for someone who is already trying to overcome so much in order to get out of homelessness. A serious look at providing a sack lunch program for those who are verifiably looking for work, or are employed yet still homeless.

4. Access To Communications Tools

If you have no access to voicemail or a cell phone you have little way of communicating with public agencies, potential employers or employers. Without this homelessness remains a cycle of hopelessness.

5. Access To Storage of Possessions

There are no places for homeless to store possessions. So you risk losing everything all the time or having to drag your few possessions with you. Imagine dragging your house with you to work every day. It’s not a fun chore and it’s sad that San Diego does not have the compassion on the homeless to provide these services to the homeless community.

Homelessness is central to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The gospel is for the poor, the downtrodden and the needy.

I love the book The Irrestible Revolution. It really digs into this. And it has sparked my desire to be apart of church again after feeling disfranchised and realized. Awesome. I am disenfranchised. Thats exactly the way Jesus felt. Now its time to love like he loved.

After attending a church here in San Diego a few times I was astonished by how rejected I felt. They even have a section of their website telling people that they are not a church for homeless. And you really feel that way when you are in their midst. Although their worship service rocks.

Church Without A Home is a dream. A dream of a better life. Not for me, but for all poor and underserved, and forgotten. The homeless, and the hopeless.

My story is unimportant. What’s important is the spirit of love can really make a difference one person at a time. First by helping people by solving these 5 powerful things that will make a huge impact on the homeless.