runner - How did she turn out now how many years on, a deadbeat or okay person?

Dear Beth,

People today tend not to find the time to befriend and/or hang-around anyone in real life, so it's little to do with homelessness and much to do with the technology that was "supposed" to save us time but instead sucks it away. People would usually not even know it when their virtual "friends" on-line are homeless.

Runner, I too agree that our welfare system is too generous, but not so much in the amount paid, but the fact that all but for the likes of rent assistance is paid in easily wasted cash, and there in lies the major problem.

Furthermore, as many, if not the majority of homeless people cant manage their own lives, why the hell give them cash to manage in the first place.

Our welfare system is to stupid for words.

As a inner Sydney resident and someone who encounters homelessness on a daily basis, I say some on this thread have no idea about homeless people. The problem is far more complex than money, as for the notion its only a matter of getting a job, and all will be fine, that is rubbish. Many homeless people are unemployable, their lives a screwed up mess. For some there is hope, for others they are too far gone.

I was talking to a chap the other day, 60 years old, been out of work 18 months. Age and low skill levels, now we can add low self esteem, to the list. The bloke is battling, said to me he wanted to move out of his rented digs $160/week (over half his dole) into a more affordable $70/week room. I said, that move will put you one step above the gutter, we talked for a while about his life, his family he's not had contact with in 10 years, The bloke is on a gradual downward spiral. Our next move is he will try and contact his family (sister), not going to be easy, if we can, he'll write his sister a short letter and hopefully with family involved, a long shot at best, things will improve. Got to find sisters address first.

The Exodus Foundation run by Rev Bill Cruz is doing work that does make a difference. Bill Cruz is one of the few real Christians you will ever meet.

http://www.exodusfoundation.org.au/page.aspx?pid=291

Hey Paul1405,
I'm not saying that fixing the issues for all homeless people is simple.
As you said, "For some there is hope, for others they are too far gone."

But the problem in theory isn't that difficult.

All we have to do is empower people with knowledge to not make bad choices and decisions in the first place and make the best of their lives and safeguard them with fall-back options to help themselves out of a bad situation when they do get a little off track.

I wouldn't want to impose on anyone, but both empower people to choose better for themselves, and give them the tools and opportunities to achieve it.

'runner - How did she turn out now how many years on, a deadbeat or okay person?'

at this stage extremely manipulative (still only a teenager)