By: Travis McGee
After every disaster- Houston uses the term “HOUSTON STRONG”, but are we really or does it depend on the circumstances? Some have said Houston is tired, fed up, and some have even said until the next time something hap- pens. Our city has had its fair share of hurricanes, floods, blackouts, and etc., but the only thing that actually gets better is Houstonians willing to help when they are ALLOWED to do so. HOUSTON STRONG is more so the drive, the will, compassion, and resilience of the people citywide vs our local government planning in a more productive -proactive manner to better assist ALL Houstonians. That includes the Homeless /Displaced population also.
The homeless problem is one that has to be ad- dressed from a humanity/commonsense stand-point vs a political one. There’s no way to count the homeless population in any city just like those of us that do have homes really and truly don’t know what it is or how it feels to be homeless. We all know we can’t help everybody, but we all should be try- ing to help somebody. The homeless problem is not a new one, but in order to correct it, the CITY must allow those who are willing to help to do so. We don’t need anymore studies or experiments. We need a more proactive -productive Homeless action plan that we actually see results from. I don’t think making broad statements about like, they want to be out there or even considering all of them to be drug addicts, mentally ill, or even violent is very stereo typical considering we all could be homeless or displaced tomorrow.
There’ve been times where our great city has been more compassion- ate about bats freezing vs our displaced freez- ing. Sometimes, commonsense has to supersede everything else especially when human life is involved. During past and present natural disasters and emergencies the public has often had to wonder what would be open or avail- able if shelter is needed but, ALL tax funded facilities should be avail- able if needed to house and help those who are in need. That includes the homeless population. If the policy is the problem change it, if its an ordinance change it, and most important if it’s a mindset change it. Simply saying we have a problem and throwing money at the problem without fully acknowledging the problem will never fix the problem.
If Houstonians want to donate food, warm items, toiletries, and etc. they should be allowed to without any red tape or citations especially in case of emergencies. I have personally witnessed, sponsored, and volunteered during hurricanes, blackouts, and floods but the only difference was, these were not homeless people receiving help that they may or may not have needed. It has always been a differ- ence between needs and wants. It seems as if the policies changes in certain circumstances or for certain group of people like the homeless.
If everybody does something, everything will get done. A great man by the name of Marvin Zindler once said,” Its hell to be poor”
