First off, what even is “homeless”? Is it a choice? A lifestyle? A Predicament? The truth is, it is whatever you want it to be. Often times we associate experiencing homelessness with thoughts such as: dirty, poverse, crazy, and even diseased. I recently read an article about Starbucks new loitering policies, stating that it was a horrendous business decision. Why? Because it provides those experience homelessness a safe, climate-controlled, space to use wi-fi and the bathroom.

I have been experiencing homelessness for the past month now, entailing sleeping in parks, at shelters, and loitering in Starbucks. Now, imagine you didn’t have access to air conditioning in the summer, heat in the winter, running water, food, or even a bathroom. That’s exactly what it can be like when you are experiencing homelessness. The absolute lack of humanity for those who are encapsulated in this predicament is abhorrent. 

Buildings from a rooftop garage.

The real truth behind experiencing homelessness is that you don’t have anywhere solid in your life. Resource centers love to take away access for small things, and are often not trauma-informed in their approach. Thus leading to at-risk individuals being placed directly in harm’s way. The work that is being done to address the core causes of homelessness is inaccurate at best. We, as a community need to start focusing on folx mental health, and substance use concerns. Often times individuals experiencing homelessness have a history of suicide attempts, psychiatric hospitalizations, and detox unit stays.

In trying to understand the cause and effect of homelessness there are a few major things. A lot of young LGBTQ+ folx are disowned by their families, as millennial’s are realizing what it means to be LGBTQ+ earlier on, thusly coming out of the closet at a much younger age. And our families are unaccepting of this “way of life”. Sometimes, individuals are just stricken by hardship in today’s economical environment. Individuals with mental health “disorders” are at a higher risk to experience homelessness due to possible inability to maintain full-time employment. SSI is underfunded to individuals that are incapable of working. Public benefits are not always readily available to some. And all of these, and more can lead one into a spiral of being street-based, and being negatively thought upon.

Pride flag hanging from flagpole.

Those experiencing have been through a substantial amount of pain and suffering. And we utilize things like “drugs” and alcohol to help numb the pain we feel inside. The things that were unjustifiably thrown onto our plate. We have our community, and our community has us, but at the end of the day, the longing for love, a stable housing situation, and family often speak louder than other thoughts.

What Can Be Done About It?

What can be done about the potential end to mass experiences of homelessness is a very complicated topic of discussion. However, there are some things that I can undoubtedly say what could help myself regain stability. Things such as affordable/subsidized housing, access to meaningful mental-health related services, and assistance in setting/achieving meaningful goals would help me bring my life to a whole new level. Also, a lack of transphobia wouldn’t hurt any.

Also, stop donating to giant non-profit-organizations. Your $50 is so much more meaningful to organizations that don’t pay their directors six-figures. (Not against large salaries, but wrong field to get rich in, buddy!) Things such as menial toiletries are not meaningless, but donate something more meaningful. Donate your time, spend time, get to know us, most of are the nicest people in the world. The best thing you can lend is an ear. Trust me, you’ll learn a lot. Prove that you’re actually on our side, hold no expectations. We know what it’s like to lose everything you ever had. We know the reality of waking up and not having somewhere to drink your morning coffee at.

“Whether we’re rich or poor, or somewhere in between, we’re all homeless, just working our way back home.” -Denver Moore

Organizations to get involved in Chicago?

  • Broadway Youth Center (BYC)
  • Youth Empowerment Performance Project (YEPP)
  • Vida/Sida
  • The Night Ministry
  • Center on Halsted (COH)
  • StandUp For Kids -Chicago (Purple People)
  • La Casa Norte (Casa Corazon)
  • Ujima Village
  • Lincoln Park Community Services
  • Chicago House
  • El Rescate
  • Cornerstone Community Outreach
  • Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (The Coalition)
  • ReCondition Community CoOperative (ReCo)

I have not had time to add every single organization on here, if you would like yours added to the list please comment and I will determine then add or deny.

Pictures by Zoey Wolfe, all rights reserved.