146 people quizzed about their lives as part
of a concerted effort to better understand the panhandlers of Union Square, how
they came to be on their designated street corners, why they panhandle, what
they do with the money, and what it would take to get them off
the streets. The Union Square Business Improvement District conducted the
survey in the 27-square-block shopping area. Fifty-eight percent of the panhandlers
said they've been begging for at least five years despite the wealth of social
services available in San Francisco and the city's Homeless Outreach Teams,
which patrol the streets daily offering help. Sitting on the sidewalk is
no longer allowed under city law while Panhandling in SF. Contradicting the
common refrain from city officials who say the majority of panhandlers are
housed, 82 percent of those surveyed in Union Square said they're homeless.
They said their biggest obstacles to getting a place to live are that they have
no job and no income and can't afford rent. Permanent housing, food and job
training would help them to stop panhandling, they said. Just 3 percent
said they don't want housing - also contradicting conventional wisdom that says
many people flat-out refuse offers of housing. "Something's not
working someplace along the line," said Tim Falvey,
a member of the business improvement district's board. "Either they're not
getting connected with services or the services aren't working for them. People
do need shelter, and they're not getting it. ... It's an eye-opener
for us. "The survey found that panhandling in Union Square is a
lifestyle, not a once-in-a-while kind of thing. Fifty-three percent of
panhandlers said they beg seven days a week. Sixty percent said they earn $25
or less each day, while 27 percent said they earn up to $50. Asked to list everything they spend their
money on, 94 percent said food. The second most common answer was drugs or
alcohol, cited by 44 percent. A quarter of panhandlers said they're alcoholics,
and 32 percent said they have a drug problem. Seventy percent of those who fell
into either category said they've participated in treatment programs.
Who
receives
83% are men
39% have a high school diploma
21% attended some college
69% are single
26% served in the military
70% are 40 to 59 years old58% have been panhandling for at least five years
53% panhandle seven days a week
60% make $25 a day or less panhandling
94% use the money for food
44% use it for drugs or alcohol62% are disabled
25% are alcoholics
32% are addicted to drugs82% are homeless
95% live in San Francisco
Who's giving
80%
are Bay Area residents
70% are younger than 45 years old
48% have a household income under $50,000 a
year
60% give because they or a family member may
be in need someday
61% are concerned about how panhandlers use
their money
In Eureka
there is a different dynamic of population but I could see some of the same
principles applying. Panhandling and Homeless seem to go hand in hand. The
burden on services takes a toll when homeless are transient and move ready.
There were 71 calls to the fire department for “camps” and 20 tons of debris eradicated
just last year.
Some Info on Eureka
Homeless and Humboldt County poor from various sources:
60% of
homeless in Humboldt County live in Eureka
70% of
homeless make less than $1,000 a month
66% of
Humboldt Homeless became that way locally
$303 a month
is Humboldt’s maximum General Relief. Only 165 people were collecting as of
Sept. 2013. Around decade ago there were well over 600 collecting
There are
only 1,631 families currently on welfare, down over 400 from about a decade ago
The
Transportation Assistance Program (TAP) seems to have helped our area a little.
Betty Chinn has reportedly sent around 50 homeless a year back to their home
towns.
Here is the
big question concerning homeless and panhandling, “Is it worse than it ever has
been?” I would say by simple observation yes, but we need to measure that
subject better. “What is the cure?” If I had the answer I could help the
thousands of other communities who are dealing with the same issue.
Any of you
have any answers?
