Rhetorical situation:

• Writer: Aidan Gardiner

• Text/Subject: An article that describes how homelessness has increased and how we are able to slowly combat this problem

• Audience: General US population

• Context: Rise in homelessness

  
  

  Gardiner, Aidan. “A New Study Paints a Different Picture of Homelessness in California.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 20 June 2023, www.nytimes.com/2023/06/20/us/california-homelessness-study.html.

  
  

  Summary: A recent study conducted by the University of California, San Francisco challenges common myths about homelessness in California, revealing a more nuanced reality. The research, led by Dr. Margot Kushel, Director of the Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, portrays individuals who were working and living in poverty in the state until unforeseen circumstances led to them losing their homes. This loss triggers a devastating cascade effect, impacting their health, mental well-being, and substance use, creating what Dr. Kushel calls a "personal doom loop." California, grappling with severe income inequality, high living costs, and a shortage of affordable housing, currently has over 171,000 homeless individuals, comprising 30% of the national total. The study highlights that these individuals tend to be older than average and are disproportionately likely to be Black or Native American. Dr. Kushel underscores the problem as a result of the toxic combination of deep poverty and exorbitant housing costs, emphasizing the state's lack of housing for its impoverished population. The research focused on eight diverse counties, both rural and urban, surveying 3,200 adults and conducting in-depth interviews with 365 participants. Many interviewees revealed that they had temporarily avoided homelessness by doubling up with friends or family, only to have those arrangements disintegrate. Most interviewees expressed their lack of awareness regarding impending homelessness until just days before it occurred. The study also shed light on the inadequate support systems, with participants expressing a lack of knowledge about available assistance. The majority of those interviewed expressed a desire for permanent housing and disclosed that a modest increase of $300 per month could have prevented their descent into homelessness and facilitated their recovery. The research team collaborated with individuals who had experienced homelessness, such as Claudine Sipili, ensuring a respectful and dignified approach to data collection. Sipili, who went through a year of homelessness following a divorce, emphasized the importance of humanizing the study data to inspire systemic improvements for those experiencing homelessness.

  
  

Rhetorical situation:

• Writer: Darryl Holmes

• Text/Subject: A poem about homelessness, capturing the heartache, struggle and perseverance of those who find themselves living on the streets

• Audience: General US population

• Context: Experiences of a homeless person

  
  

  Holmes, Darryl. “Lost in the Streets.” Medium, Medium, 7 Feb. 2023, medium.com/@darrylholmes82/lost-in-the-streets-31017a595698.

Summary: The poem weaves a narrative of a soul adrift in the unforgiving streets, finding nowhere to call home. It speaks of a heart that continues to beat, though burdened by the weight of losing its dwelling, a mind filled with the haunting echoes of woe, and a life that persists in solitude. The verses poetically personify the elements – rain, wind, and cold – as metaphors for the formidable challenges faced by those without shelter, amplifying the harshness of their daily existence.

The poem artfully contrasts past moments of joy with the current struggles, highlighting the stark absence of warmth, soothing voices, and guiding companionship. Through the vivid imagery, it emphasizes the profound impact of homelessness on individuals who once laughed, dreamed, and sang, only to find themselves whispering mournful tunes in the silence of the streets. Despite the hardships, the verses celebrate the resilience of those navigating homelessness, expressing courage and maintaining hope for a brighter tomorrow.

The concluding lines carry a powerful call to action, urging readers not to overlook the homeless but rather to extend love, shelter, and sustenance. The poem passionately advocates for the acknowledgment of the worth and preciousness of every soul on the street, compelling society to recognize its shared responsibility in offering support and alleviating the profound struggles faced by those experiencing homelessness. In its lyrical verses, the poem becomes a plea for compassion, empathy, and tangible efforts to bring solace to those living on the margins of society.

Rhetorical situation:

• Writer: MARISA KENDALL 

• Text/Subject: A story about how people would use art to bring people together and shed light on the homeless issue

• Audience: General US population

• Context: Experiences of a homeless person expressed through art

Kendall, Marisa. “Art from Encampments: Bay Area’s Homelessness Crisis Inspires Wave of Artistic Expression.” Red Bluff Daily News, Red Bluff Daily News, 23 Mar. 2023, www.redbluffdailynews.com/2023/03/23/art-from-the-encampments-bay-areas-homelessness-crisis-inspires-wave-of-artistic-expression/.

Summary: In response to the dire conditions in Bay Area homeless encampments, a surprising form of resilience emerges through art. With over 30,000 unhoused residents and limited progress in addressing homelessness, art becomes a vital outlet for those living in encampments. Murals and plays offer both uplifting and gut-wrenching insights into their experiences. Anita De Asis Miralle, of Cardboard and Concrete, highlights art's unique power to engage and educate. Block parties with music, free food, and mural painting serve to bring together housed and unhoused neighbors while sharing information about the rights of those without homes. In another instance, Poor Magazine stages a play, "Crushing Wheelchairs," exclusively written and acted by homeless individuals. Participants find catharsis, viewing art as a form of healing and medicine. Homelessness even reaches prestigious venues like Davies Symphony Hall, where the San Francisco Symphony performs a piece inspired by the complexities of the shelter system, incorporating the voices of those who have experienced homelessness. Despite the transience of street art, activists adapt by creating movable pieces on tarps and canvases. In West Oakland, residents of a homeless encampment produce a web series, "The Lowdown on Wood Street," challenging misconceptions about unhoused individuals. Another avenue for storytelling comes through the documentary "We R Here," offering an intimate view of daily life for unhoused individuals, filmed on Android phones.

Rhetorical situation:

• Writer: Aaron Hill

• Text/Subject: A poem about the writer's personal experiences of being homeless

• Audience: General US population

• Context: Experiences of a homeless person

  
  

  “Just Do What You Can: A Poem on the Challenges of Being Homeless.” Pallet Shelter, palletshelter.com/blog/a-poem-on-the-challenges-of-being-homeless/. Accessed 27 Nov. 2023.

Summary: The author reflects on the harsh realities of homelessness, describing the extremes of weather and the challenges of finding shelter during holidays. The narrator expresses feelings of loneliness, noting a reluctance to trust people. The closure of libraries adds to the struggle of finding a place to sleep, facing issues of private and public property. Navigating bureaucracy is portrayed as a challenging and empathy-lacking process, questioning the lack of compassion for people in need. The hardships are likened to historical periods such as the Great Depression and Dust Bowl, emphasizing the cyclical nature of economic recessions. The narrator draws from personal experience, recounting a time when a stranger's unexpected kindness, offering boots and a pizza gift card, restored their faith in humanity. The narrative concludes with a call for empathy and a reminder that small acts of kindness, like a smile or offering assistance, can make a significant impact in the lives of those facing homelessness. The author encourages readers to do what they can to help, citing a personal experience as proof that individuals have the power to restore faith in humanity through simple acts of compassion.

Rhetorical situation:

• Writer: MANUELA TOBIAS

• Text/Subject: An article that describes how homelessness has increased drastically over the pandemic

• Audience: General US population

• Context: Rise in homelessness

  
  

  Tobias, Manuela. “California Homeless Population Grew by 22,000 over Pandemic.” CalMatters, 6 Oct. 2022, calmatters.org/housing/2022/10/california-homeless-crisis-latinos/.

Summary: California's first statewide snapshot of homelessness since the pandemic reveals a significant increase, with at least 22,500 more people experiencing homelessness over the past three years, bringing the total to 173,800. The rise is attributed to the pandemic-induced drops in earnings and a worsening housing affordability crisis. Despite a 15% growth in homelessness, attributed partly to pandemic safety nets, the issue worsened for the state's Latino population. Critics note the state's spending of over $14 billion on homelessness, while advocates argue that the response is only beginning. The creation of over 14,000 shelter beds between 2019 and 2021 is acknowledged, but the lack of permanent, affordable housing remains a critical challenge. The unsheltered count, reflecting those in tents, cars, and unfit spaces, grew by about 7% between 2019 and 2022, reaching 116,600 people. Concerns about the accuracy of the counts arise, especially regarding unsheltered individuals, as they depend on volunteers' observations on a given winter's night every other year. Technical glitches and the Omicron variant's impact also affected the counts. Detailed local reports highlight a troubling trend: while Black people continue to be overrepresented among the homeless, there's a significant increase in homelessness among Latinos, particularly in Los Angeles, where the homeless Latino population spiked by 26%. Preliminary nationwide figures are expected to be released in December, contributing to determining federal funding allocation. The data underscores the urgency of addressing the housing crisis, particularly among marginalized communities disproportionately affected by the economic fallout of the pandemic.