Housing Insecurity in GR by

History of: Homelessness Solutions and Housing Discrimination

2023-10-17 14:04:46 UTC

Homelessness has been addressed in various ways by the United States Government. Many of these solutions have harmed or excluded BIPOC, making them even more at risk for homelessness.

Summary

2023-10-17 14:05:32 UTC

Kent County Statistics

hl9292003_ — 2023-10-26 15:06:06 UTC

In 2018, 1 in 6 African Americans were homeless in Kent County, compared to 1 in 130 White residents

SJewell-Hammie@mlive.com, S. J.-H. |. (2023b, March 8). New Documentary Sheds Light on the Housing Crisis in Kent County. mlive. https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2023/03/new-documentary-sheds-light-on-the-housing-crisis-in-kent-county.html

hl9292003_ — 2023-10-26 15:07:43 UTC

hl9292003_ — 2023-10-31 14:05:59 UTC

GR Statistics

davenpbr1 — 2023-10-31 14:12:20 UTC

Since 2018, the homeless population in Grand Rapids has nearly doubled, from 723 in January 2018 to 1,239 in January 2023. (Kolker, 2023)

Sara from AYA

davenpbr1 — 2023-11-20 15:20:18 UTC

Sara is a drop coordinator at AYA Homeless Youth Collective, one of the only homeless centers in Grand Rapids that focuses on homeless youth, ages 14-24.

In this interview, she provides insight into her experience working with the homeless community.

Interview

davenpbr1 — 2023-11-20 15:25:12 UTC

Interview with Allison Lutz

hl9292003_ — 2023-11-20 17:06:26 UTC

Allison Lutz ran for City Commissioner in 2019, she gives inside information on the current housing insecurity in Grand Rapids.

Vagrants

2023-11-20 18:41:51 UTC

In the 19th Century, poor people were categorized based on their perceived willingness and ability to work. There were the deserving or moral poor, and the undeserving poor or vagrants. Vagrants were defined as "not betaking themselves to honest occupations" which made them appear immoral and as a danger to society. Those accused of vagrancy were unable to receive assistance of any kind. Following the Civil War, these longstanding ideas of vagrancy were used to punish placeless and/or unemployed persons via new legislation. These laws made it so that those convicted of vagrancy would be forced to work or be put in jail. Recently freed African Americans in search of employment, their families, and a place to live, were often the target of vagrancy convictions. Their arrest put them back into a form of slavery in which they were forced to work with little pay.

It was not until 1972 that vagrancy laws were deemed unconstitutional. However, many cities created new policies and ordinances that continued to criminalize homelessness by making sleeping outdoors, loitering, and living in a vehicle illegal. Laws criminalizing forms of panhandling, sleeping outdoors in public spaces, and loitering still exist today.

Tramps, Hobos, and Bums

2023-11-20 18:42:40 UTC

In the 1870s, roughly 1/5 of the population experienced homelessness. This era of economic crisis brought about new classifications for those experiencing homelessness. Those previously referred to as vagrants were called tramps, those physically unable to work or struggling with addiction were called bums, and those who worked hard and lived on the road were called hobos. "Hobos" would hitch a ride on empty boxcars or "ride the rods" of trains in search of work. This life of constant travel was one made from desperation and need, as the Civil War and later Great Depression left many placeless and/or unemployed. Hobos eventually became proud of their unconventional lives, creating a subculture with their own music, dialect, and value system. Tramps were not looked at as kindly as hobos. They were similar in their appreciation for life on the road, but tramps did not share the hobo culture's appreciation for hard work.

Bums

2023-11-20 18:50:22 UTC

After WWII, as the economy settled, employers began to prefer permanent employees over traveling laborers. With this shift, the hobo culture began to die out. Society's perspective on people experiencing homelessness turned negative, and the term bum became universal for all placeless people.

Homeless People and People Experiencing Homelessness

2023-11-20 18:52:53 UTC

In the 1970s and 80s, activists wanted to put an emphasis on the true nature of the problem: that people did not have housing. So, the terminology was shifted to homeless people, and the issue was labeled homelessness. Activists today prefer the terms people experiencing homelessness, people with lived experience, or transient people. This terminology emphasizes the prominence of temporary homelessness and fights against stigma.

hl9292003_ — 2023-11-21 21:10:34 UTC

hl9292003_ — 2023-11-21 21:14:50 UTC

Housing insecurity by race and place during the pandemic. Center for Economic and Policy Research. (2021, April 5). https://cepr.net/report/housing-insecurity-by-race-and-place-during-the-pandemic/

hl9292003_ — 2023-11-21 21:15:14 UTC

Kent County Specifics

davenpbr1 — 2023-11-24 21:59:54 UTC

In 2020, 8,026 people in Kent County experienced at least one episode of homelessness, a 33% increase since 2016.
In 2020, 1,007 people in Kent County experienced chronic homelessness. (Meaning that they have a documented disability and have been homeless for at least 12 months, or certain periods of time equaling 12 months)
Even though these statistics are about Kent County, Grand Rapids is the largest city within the county that is affected by homelessness. Grand Rapids has a major issue with the homeless and these statistics are only rising.

(Grand Rapids Area - Coalition To End Homelessness)

Housing in Grand Rapids

davenpbr1 — 2023-11-24 22:57:14 UTC

Grand Rapids is confronted with a significant social challenge: housing insecurity. Every day, individuals—men and women—are compelled to stay with friends, family, shelters, or even resort to living on the streets due to the insufficient resources available in Grand Rapids for those in need.

Grand Rapids Area - Coalition To End Homelessness. (n.d.). Home - Coalition to End Homelessness. Retrieved November 24, 2023, from https://endhomelessnesskent.org/

davenpbr1 — 2023-11-24 23:01:43 UTC

Kolker, K. (2023, August 22). New rules crack down on aggressive panhandling in Grand Rapids. WOODTV.com. https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/new-rules-crack-down-on-aggressive-panhandling-in-grand-rapids/

davenpbr1 — 2023-11-24 23:01:57 UTC

New Rules in GR targeted to the Homeless Population

davenpbr1 — 2023-11-24 23:04:13 UTC

Interview shows pushback on new GR ordinances.

davenpbr1 — 2023-11-24 23:12:58 UTC

History of: Stereotypes and Classification

2023-11-25 22:49:17 UTC

The American attitudes toward people experiencing homelessness and the terms used to describe them have changed over time. Before the Civil War, distinctions were made between the deserving poor and "vagrants". During Reconstruction and the Great Depression, the terms "tramp," "bum," and "hobo" became commonplace. The modern era introduced terms such as homeless person and the more recent terms "person experiencing homelessness" and "person with lived experience."

American Attitudes toward Solutions

2023-11-26 02:45:36 UTC

Homelessness has been a persistent issue since the colonization of the United States. American attitudes toward individuals experiencing homelessness have always focused on the wrongdoings of the individual, instead of societal or external factors. As such, there has been a reluctance to help these individuals and an inclination to punish them. The solution for someone experiencing homelessness at the time was to get them a job, not to provide them with housing. When extra aid was needed, it was expected to be provided by the community and private charities, not the government.

Housing Discrimination

2023-11-26 02:54:26 UTC

African Americans were, and are still greatly impacted by this individualistic perspective. After the Civil War, black codes, including vagrancy laws, pushed them into prisons and forced labor. They received no financial compensation from the government and quickly became dependent upon white landowners for employment and housing. Vagrancy laws prevented relocation and families from finding each other once again. When the government finally began to provide assistance to the unhoused, "Black people were explicitly excluded from most of these programs," (Beardsley). Though they legally had freedom, they did not have the opportunity to grow wealth or create stability, the two things necessary for success in a capitalist society.

Wagner-Steagall Housing Act

2023-11-26 14:20:56 UTC

The 1937 Wagner-Steagall Housing Act created the United States Housing Authority, which provided low-interest loans, insured by the government, for housing and housing projects across the country. However, communities that housed BIPOC were deemed too "unsafe" to issue the federally insured loans. BIPOC were also not allowed to purchase a home in white neighborhoods. This practice was called "redlining" as African-American communities were outlined in red on banker's maps. Redlining was endorsed by the Federal Housing Administration. Discriminatory covenants were also created to maintain segregation. These covenants would prohibit the owner from selling to any BIPOC. Although these practices were made illegal by the Fair Housing Act, their impact is still apparent today. Most wealth is created through the ownership of property. Housing discrimination made it nearly impossible for Black communities to generate wealth. Today, African Americans hold "about 5 percent of white wealth," which has made it harder to purchase property in more expensive white neighborhoods that have accumulated and inherited wealth for generations. Housing discrimination, in tandem with other forms of institutional racism, has increased the likelihood that a BIPOC will face homelessness.

Our motivation towards this issue

hl9292003_ — 2023-11-26 21:51:02 UTC

All of us are very aware of the rising homeless population in Grand Rapids and wanted to learn more about how and why this is happening. Hannahs sister ran for city commissioner in 2019 which increased her awareness. Brielle also has a connection to a drop coordinator at AYA Homeless Youth Collective which helped give insight on the issue. Through class discussions and our volunteering opportunities, we got to see how it's really impacting people.

Mel Trotter Ministries

2023-11-26 23:07:41 UTC

Mel trotter ministries has multiple outlets for donations. You can donate by shopping at a Mel trotter ministries thrift store- where 65 cents of every dollar spent by customers is going toward helping house the homeless. These thrift stores also accept donations in terms of clothing, kitchen appliances, books, money, etc. Because donations can be given by anyone, this is an action that can be taken by anyone with extra time or resources. Mel trotter ministries- where people experiencing homelessness are housed- is located in Grand Rapids. Anyone is able to volunteer there, and there are many opportunities to volunteer. You are able to help serve food, help during activities that are held, help run a clinic, have an internship and so much more.

2023-11-26 23:09:06 UTC

Degage Ministries

2023-11-26 23:20:29 UTC

Degage is another organization that assists homeless in Grand Rapids. They serve meals, home, assist in getting legal ID's, and securing a decent job for people needing any of those needs. Anyone can get involved to help serve any meals, and they also have an open door bakery where people can volunteer to help make baked goods and package them for selling.

2023-11-26 23:30:13 UTC

Social workers, alone, cannot solve the issue of homelessness- just as they cannot solve every other issue. That does not mean we should not give time when we can. Giving does not mean we need to give up resources, or buy brand new things for people. Giving up time is a perfect way to show someone that you see them and what they are going through.

Homelessness Solutions

2023-11-27 14:35:00 UTC

Late 19th Century - World War 2:

The Great Depression inspired the first federal legislation enacted to address homelessness: the Emergency Relief and Construction Act and the National Industry Recovery Act. This legislation funded the creation of low-cost housing, subsistence homesteads, and other housing projects.

Post World War 2:

After the war, the United States had a severe housing shortage. To combat this, the United States chose to tear down areas they called "slums" and build suitable and affordable housing. This process was called urban renewal and was initiated by the Housing Acts of 1949, 1954, and 1956. Urban renewal displaced many BIPOC families and individuals. They did not receive relocation compensation until the Housing Act of 1956.

The 1960s - 1970s:

The 1960s saw the creation of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, The Housing and Urban Renewal Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act. The Housing and Urban Renewal Act provided a "rent supplement for low-income, disabled, and elderly individuals" (National Academies of Sciences). The Fair Housing Act made housing discrimination illegal.

In 1974, the Housing and Community Development Act was passed. Section 8, or the Housing Choice Voucher program, was created by this legislation. With a choice voucher, someone experiencing homelessness could choose housing to rent at a subsidized cost.

In 1977, the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assitance Act was passed. It created definitions for homelessness, provided financial assistance to shelters, and a health care fund called Health Care for the Homeless.

1990s - 2010s:

In 1997, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) was created. During the early 2000s, more programs were created to provide "low-threshold and permanent supportive housing programs," chronic homelessness was federally defined, and state and local governments were asked to "create 10-year plans to end chronic homelessness," (National Academies of Sciences). In 2009, the HEARTH Act was signed into law with the goal of securing permanent housing for persons experiencing homelessness. A year later, the Obama administration released "a federal strategic plan to end homelessness," (National Academies of Sciences).

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519584/

Grand Rapids H.O.T

davenpbr1 — 2023-11-27 16:56:14 UTC

The Grand Rapids H.O.T (Homeless Outreach Team) are people who advocate for those who are experiencing homelessness. They began this program in April of 2020 and the team is made up of 4 core members, 2 Grand Rapids Police Officers, and 2 Grand Rapids Fire Personnel. Additionally, they work beside Network 180, social workers, and addiction and recovery specialists.

Their mission statement states, "to preserve health and safety and improve outcomes for homeless persons and our community.” (City of Grand Rapids) These people are able to provide safe and successful resources to those in need and create powerful relationships between people of authority and someone who is experiencing homelessness.

City of Grand Rapids. (n.d.). Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) Frequently Asked Questions. City of Grand Rapids. Retrieved November 27, 2023, from https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/Departments/Community-Development/Homelessness/Outreach-Team-FAQ

davenpbr1 — 2023-11-27 16:59:49 UTC

Grand Rapids Ordinances Approved July 2023

davenpbr1 — 2023-11-28 00:33:20 UTC

Penalize a person for "accosting" someone by and ATM or while they are eating/drinking outdoors at and establishment
- Can result up to a $500 fine or up to 90 days in jail
Permits the city to take "excess" or unattended personal property in parks or sidewalks

(Michigan Advance)

The issue with these ordinances is that many of these people are forced to stay on the streets and turn to asking people for money/food. Having punishment such as paying fines or spending time in jail is unfair to these people because they do not have the money to spend on fines and if they go to jail, all of their belongings will be forced to be thrown away, causing them to keep begging.

Another issue is that since the city is taking these people's personal belongings, they will not have anything to their name. It is just like if a person walked into your home and started taking all your personal belongings, this is exactly how they feel if their tent and other belongings were taken away.

NBCUniversal News Group. (2023, June 1). Global survey finds 9% of adults identify as LGBTQ. NBCNews.com. https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/global-survey-finds-9-adults-identify-lgbtq-rcna87288

hl9292003_ — 2023-11-28 00:59:54 UTC

Current rates of people that are LGBTQ+

hl9292003_ — 2023-11-28 01:04:06 UTC

A global survey done by NBC shows that approximately 9% of the worlds population identifies as LGBTQ+. Further surveys have shown that people that are LGBTQ+ are far more likely to be homeless. The Trevor Project explains that 22% of LGBTQ+ youth have experienced homelessness.

Homelessness and housing instability among LGBTQ youth. The Trevor Project. (2023, August 23). https://www.thetrevorproject.org/research-briefs/homelessness-and-housing-instability-among-lgbtq-youth-feb-2022/

hl9292003_ — 2023-11-28 01:04:45 UTC

hl9292003_ — 2023-11-28 01:06:31 UTC

Mental illness correlation to homelessness

hl9292003_ — 2023-11-28 01:09:30 UTC

The homeless population is made up of 30% of individuals that have some form of mental illness. This puts a further block between these people and acquiring the resources to help them gain stable housing.

Types of Homelessness

davenpbr1 — 2023-11-28 01:48:07 UTC

Chronic Homelessness
- Someone who has been continuously homeless for over a year, or has had at least 4 episodes of homelessness in 3 years. Typically, they often have severe health issues, mental illnesses, addiction, or disabilities.
Episodic Homelessness
- A person who has experienced at least 3 periods of homelessness within the previous year. Typically younger individuals who suffer from mental illnesses or addiction.
Traditional Homelessness
- The most common form of homelessness and can be described as a person who has become homeless due to a major life or catastrophic event. Typically they are younger individuals or families who seek shelters or temporary housing.
Hidden Homelessness
- Typically goes unreported and undocumented, it is temporary housing like couch surfing with friends or family. Individuals can also find themselves at hotels/motels during these times also.

(Caring Works)

King, J. (2023, July 26). Grand Rapids Commission approves new ordinances targeting unhoused people ⋆ Michigan Advance. Michigan Advance. Retrieved November 27, 2023, from https://michiganadvance.com/2023/07/26/grand-rapids-commission-approves-new-ordinances-targeting-unhoused-people/

davenpbr1 — 2023-11-28 01:50:02 UTC

Caring Works. (n.d.). Did You Know There Are Four Types of Homelessness? CaringWorks. Retrieved November 27, 2023, from https://www.caringworksinc.org/did-you-know-there-are-four-types-of-homelessness/

davenpbr1 — 2023-11-28 01:50:11 UTC

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). (2011). The 2010 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress. Washington, DC. [2010 AHAR]

hl9292003_ — 2023-11-28 02:14:59 UTC

2023-11-28 15:18:06 UTC

https://www.canva.com/design/DAF1bEmNCfo/VU963U08aHuMomhFAO7Z4Q/edit?utm_content=DAF1bEmNCfo&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

References

2023-11-28 18:01:17 UTC

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519584/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AMy3UR-77U

https://nationalhomeless.org/hoboes-bums-tramps/

https://virginiahistory.org/learn/story-of-virginia/chapter/reconstruction

https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/vagrancy-act-of-1866/

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/17/realestate/what-is-redlining.html

https://www.alta.org/advocacy/housing-opportunities/discriminatory-covenants#:~:text=In%20the%20early%20part%20of,%2C%20and%20restrictions%20(CC%26Rs

https://www.thn.org/2021/08/13/history-of-homelessness/

https://www.fdrlibrary.org/housing#:~:text=The%20new%20law%20established%20the,small%20and%20large%20urban%20areas

https://www.npr.org/2017/05/03/526655831/a-forgotten-history-of-how-the-u-s-government-segregated-america

https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/fair_housing_act_overview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgLTRBcIWyc&pp=ygUXaG9tbGVzc25lc3MgdW50cmFjdGFibGU%3D

I learned about this topic through these sources. Information from these sources has been synthesized and paraphrased.