There is a myth about homelessness that deserves some attention. Some people claim that “Nobody chooses to be homeless,” and in doing so, they misunderstand the homeless population. As a former outreach worker in Corvallis, I met some people who said, “I like living this way. I don’t have any responsibilities.” That sums it up. Yes,
some people would rather be outside versus staying in a shelter. I believe mental illness plays a huge role in people thinking this way, though not all people who have chosen homelessness suffer a mental illness. The vast majority are struggling with addiction.
Low-barrier shelters do not require that a person be clean and sober. These shelters are a great first step for someone coming off the streets and entering an environment that provides the basic necessities like a bed, shower and meals. High-barrier shelters require recovery and/or sobriety.
Currently, in Linn County, we have two large shelters in Albany. One is low-barrier and the other is high-barrier. There are current efforts by a nonprofit called Sparrows Landing that is working to develop a shelter that is somewhere in between low and high barrier shelters. We desperately need all the resources we can get where homelessness is concerned.
Those who choose homelessness as their lifestyle want to be left alone. They want nothing to do with services that would enable them to live a life of recovery. Instead of outreach workers handing out drug paraphernalia, they should be handing out information on recovery.
Our State policies actually have caused an increase in homelessness, with using the harm reduction and Housing First models. Recovery needs to be the focal point. Instead of outreach workers handing out needles to addicts, they should be sharing stories of hope and encouragement.
While some may choose homelessness, they are still human beings with
emotions and a life story to tell. It would be ideal if we could mandate treatment for those whose lives have
spiraled out of control. But there is no such mandate and that leaves people to their own devices. Sadly, I have seen more death than I ever could have imagined. I blame the harm reduction model for these preventable deaths.
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You are absolutely right! This is a huge problem for Albany an Lebanon. In which I’ve been homeless for 8 years wIth no help from anyone. My S.o died 3 years ago of health issues pertaining to what you’ve spoke about. He worked hard but when that recession hit so many years back it’s affected Millwright workers and left Lots without jobs which affected us and that’s was very hard on him which kind of I believe spiraled out of that . Since his passing I still cannot find anywhere to stay or have any help thank goodness my daughter and her husband has allowed me to stay with them and without them I don’t know what I would have done so thank you to them and thank you to you for advocating for all of the homeless