X-post: My state newspaper has 2 articles on "Myths About Homelessness" that I would like to share.

[GreenPartyVoter]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=230x5191

[Bluerthanblue]

1. k&r

:hi:

[bobbolink]

2. Myth 1: Homeless People Are Taking Advantage Of The System.

Myth 1: Homeless People Are Taking Advantage Of The System.

This myth assumes that all the homeless are on the dole, yet in fact, a relatively small percentage of homeless people receive government assistance. The largest part of government assistance includes either disability benefits in the form of Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, or welfare benefits in the form of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, or TANF. What are the facts? Although over 40 percent of homeless persons are eligible for disability benefits, only 11 percent actually receive them. Most homeless families are eligible for welfare benefits but only 52 percent of them receive them. Moreover, when individuals do receive benefits, they rarely receive enough to afford housing. The current maximum TANF benefit for a single mother of two is 29 percent below federal poverty level. In 1998 a person on SSI had to spend an average of 69 percent of their monthly income just to rent a one-bedroom apartment.

[ThomCat]

4. Yes, and when you have to spend More than 2/3 of your income

just on rent alone, and then more of it on food, suddenly there isn't anything left for anything else.

Like money for utilities to have actual heat or lights in that apartment.

Or money for clothing. It's hard to get a job without new cloths that look nice.

Or money for transportation costs. How do you get a job if you can't get there or back again?

Or money for furniture. Wouldn't it be nice to have a bed and maybe a table and some chairs in your apartment? That stuff isn't free.

When rent is so high that it costs you more than 2/3 of your income, and almost 3/4, you really end up with almost nothing left for anything else, and a whole lot of other expenses that have to be paid.

[bobbolink]

5. The Federal standard for housing is 30% of your income. It used to be 25%, but that was

raised to 30%

What's even MORE interesting is that the Federal Poverty Level isn't figured on housing or transportation costs.

It is figured on grocery costs. THAT standard hasn't been changed since the 60s.

Cute, eh?

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3. k&r

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