In dimly lit corners of cities all over the globe, beneath towering structures that touch the sky, exists a world that often goes unnoticed, or worse, blatantly ignored. A world where people, with stories as varied as the colors of a sunset, struggle to find shelter, warmth, and a morsel of food. Worse still, it is a growing societal dilemma that demands our attention, empathy, and a collective effort to eradicate it.
The question of why we should care about the unsheltered seems incredulous to even ask, yet for the sake of argument, let’s examine one simple reply: it is a solvable problem.
Unlike the complex challenges of curing diseases or mitigating climate change, homelessness persists despite the world’s abundant wealth. The key lies not in scarcity but in the misallocation of resources, perpetuating the crisis.
The exorbitant sums spent on defense budgets, space exploration, and the staggering food waste in the U.S. alone could rectify structural inequalities causing homelessness. A paradigm shift is essential – a recalibration of societal values to prioritize the welfare of all, not just the privileged few.
This is not an advocacy for extreme wealth redistribution or the elimination of crucial endeavors. I am not propagating a liberal, overly idealistic, or socialist agenda here. We wouldn’t have to sacrifice national security, and no single rich person would need to downsize a yacht or private jet. It is simply a call to reassess our priorities, as flooding resources into such pursuits while people lack basic necessities is a societal travesty.
So, what can we do? On an individual level, reducing food waste and supporting businesses that donate excess provisions can make a difference. Start there. Or simply providing blankets or other provisions to those in need. Voting for politicians prioritizing housing for the unsheltered is crucial, holding them accountable for their promises. When they don’t follow through, vote them out. However, the most fundamental action is to bring attention to this issue. A paradigm shift is imperative in the 21st century, where there is no justification for anyone lacking basic necessities.
Rethinking our wealth priorities is not an unreasonable demand. In an era marked by technological advancements, it is not too much to ask for everyone to have a warm, sheltered place to sleep, a meal to eat, clean clothes, a shower, and an opportunity to build a better life. It’s time to align our collective values with the principles of empathy and justice, acknowledging that solving homelessness is not just desirable but achievable.
Let’s change the narrative, starting with the word “Homeless” which is stigmatizing and conjures up misconceptions while carrying a negative connotation. “Unsheltered” is more neutral, and casts a wider net beyond unhoused, including those whose primary nighttime residence is unsuitable for human habitation (i.e., a city sidewalk, vehicle, abandoned building, or park).
Editor’s Note: Homelessness is a complex and pressing issue affecting millions of people worldwide. It is a condition that is often misunderstood and stigmatized and is often seen as a personal failing rather than a systemic problem. We listened, gathered their stories, and crafted them into our special edition anthology book below, with all profits donated to nonprofits serving this unfortunate population. Help us help them by grabbing your copy HERE.
Mark, brilliantly stated. I think we are headed back to a checklist world. With all going on in the world, people are tired and lack creativity.. If we choose just a few things each days to accomplish, hell that’s a good day. You state simple ways to get involved in challenging society to view and participate in changing a population-the unsheltered. Offer a hello, a blanket, water, oust those who don’t take action…baby steps matter. It’s those who ate not willing to step up at all that should be shamed for being part of the problem!
All those baby steps begin with mindset. I really think society as a whole needs to shift the way we see this issue. When we see someone unsheltered, our reaction should immediately be, “what can I do – even just a small thing – to help that person?” Instead, so many folks just look the other way or even scoff. This mindset has to change collectively.