Tag Archives: Affordable housing

Housing the homeless ain’t that easy

For a long time, I have balked at seeking transitional housing, mainly for two reasons:  (1) There must be a thousand buildings in Baltimore City serving that function, each with its own application process, eligibility criteria and rules — not to mention desirability.  There’s no way to find “the right place” without going to each one in person. (2) I have heard too many credible horror stories of negligent house managers and conflicts with residents who abuse substances, abuse the property, and abuse each other.

Fortunately, the case manager at the clinic appears to have equipped me with the very short list of highest-rated outfits.

Last week’s City Paper cover story sets forth a microcosm of what is, in fact, the big picture:

A new program for the city’s homeless leaves them struggling amid a chaotic system of care

Continue reading Housing the homeless ain’t that easy

Celebrities, go home!

(Originally posted 2015-04-29, in the midst of the Freddie Gray riots.)

… if you’ve never lived here, if you’ve never worked here …

Now that Baltimore is the center of national media attention, an endless string of celebrities and celebrity-wannabes can’t wait to come here and get their share of the limelight …

… at our expense.

Continue reading Celebrities, go home!

4) Invest your own money.

<– 3) Get your hands dirty. Home 5) Pray for the public schools. –>

Mitt Romney does.

Again, don’t use the state as a proxy.  On the one hand, the taxpayers have no need to bankroll your personal altruism.  On another hand, the “underclass” are, by definition, folk The System cannot reach; no state action has any real effect on their lives.

Three sectors come to mind: employment; homeless shelters; and low-income housing.

Continue reading 4) Invest your own money.

Make ’em all taxpayers

Anticipating November, Democrats act desperately

Kathleen Parker says Democrats are pushing the minimum wage increase in a “desperate” effort to boost turnout at the midterm elections, whereas the proposal stands no chance of passing Congress.

As a policy of The William Tell Show, I’m more interested in an issue’s substance than in who will win.

The minimum wage increase may not be a good idea, but relates to numerous issues of personal concern to me.
Continue reading Make ’em all taxpayers

Job search update, 02/03/14; and other news

(Reblogged from the above original date.  This post is three years old.  Except for my personal situation, the issues haven’t changed.)

Bookmarks:
Job search update
Crisis for D.C. homeless families

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Job search update

(Composed 2014-02-01)

Things are moving full steam ahead on my application for a Secretary II position with the City, as I’ve probably described in previous posts. The hours are 8:30-4:30, which under normal circumstances will let me get to the shelter in time to (1) actually get in and (2) take a shower each day. I will need to phone the office Monday morning 02/03/14 to confirm that all’s in line, and possibly find out a start date.
Continue reading Job search update, 02/03/14; and other news

(2) Obstacles to my prosperity

Dan Rodricks complained that a recent Baltimore City ordinance on panhandling failed to address “the underlying issues.” He has failed to address them either; so, I thought I would. Here are those I personally see:

CHECKLIST

TREATMENT ON DEMAND. Drug and alcohol treatment needs to be available on demand. This doesn’t affect me personally, but does affect panhandling — and prostitution, petty theft, shoplifting, smash-and-grabs, larcenies, and in fact all crime of any type. It’s not just traffic fatalities — half of all crimes are committed while someone is either intoxicated or seeking drug money. Continue reading (2) Obstacles to my prosperity