By Phyllis Hordin
Ken Williams, thank you for the informative newspaper you edit. I get so much neighborhood news from the Uptown News. Often, it beats the Union-Tribune. And I also thank you for the personal delivery to our home.
This letter is to address your two recent articles, “Don’t feed the homeless!” [Volume 7, Issue 23 or at bit.ly/1X2ZDPK] and “Street Feeding: Bridge or Barrier?” [bit.ly/1lt4D4G] that appeared in the Nov. 6-19 issue.
I lived in North Park for the 10-year period from 1972 — 1982. Back then, housing was very affordable. I rented a one-bedroom duplex in a cute house, and could afford the rent with my minimum-wage job at B. Dalton Bookseller. Then, North Park was a wonderful eclectic neighborhood with many businesses that catered to the working poor and blue-collar classes. There was a JC Penney, later replaced with Pic ‘n Sav, followed by Big Lots — which stocked inexpensive food items, among other things. There were hole-in-the-wall restaurants (none were high-priced vegan or gluten-free) and many thrift stores and 99-cents stores. North Park was highly livable. Now, everything there caters to the wealthier classes.
Back in the ’80s, I tended a food cart on the streets of Downtown. There, I met, befriended or observed, and talked to many dozens of homeless people. What I learned is that they represent a wide spectrum and can’t be lumped into a convenient package called the homeless, to be dealt with quickly and cleanly.
I met alcoholics, drug addicts, severely depressed Vietnam War veterans, perfectly sane but very poor people, lazy and contented people who didn’t seem to mind sleeping under a bush.
Several people I knew were sober, tough and they despised the whole idea of shelters and forced housing. They considered themselves “free spirits.”
In a greedy, capitalistic society such as ours, there will always be those who do not measure up — either cannot or will not conform to the tidy package you want and become “solid citizens” with good jobs, clean apartments and the tendency to “behave themselves.”
You expressed frustration at homeless people who receive donations of food and goods from charities and individuals, then throw leftover trash on the street. I’m certain, however, that many of you who are fortunate enough to own a condo or home have also on occasion behaved badly — either by public intoxication (stumbling out of one of those craft beer breweries you’re so fond of) or throwing your trash around. Maybe in a drunken state, you’ve even barfed or pee’d on someone’s lawn! What’s YOUR excuse?
I know several homeless people in my current neighborhood, Normal Heights. One man is very old, and he pushes a cart around and collects cans. I don’t know what his story is, and it’s none of my business, but I will continue to give him a few dollars on occasion or buy him coffee at the 7-Eleven. (Yes, I confess to being one of those people who give food or cash directly to the homeless!)
By the way, I really admire the Rescue Mission and all the agencies that try so hard to help the homeless. My husband and I have donated many items to Rachel’s, the women’s shelter, and we donated our old truck to Father Joe’s. However, I also think there’s a place for people who want to give food or money on a one-on-one basis. Can’t we all help, each in our own way?
In the photo of the homeless panel at the Lafayette Hotel, I didn’t see a single homeless individual — just the usual talking heads.
There is a huge amount of developing going on right now all over central San Diego. It all looks geared for the upper middle class, once again. And this will help the problem HOW?
The city leaders talking about “Housing First” is laughable. How about creating some $300-per-month studio units, then perhaps some of the homeless and very poor could secure a safe haven.
—Phyllis Hordin is a resident of Normal Heights. She sent this handwritten letter via the post office.
[Editor’s note: Thanks to Phyllis Hordin for her passionate letter. Most of the things that she contributes to the homeless are perfectly acceptable to advocates who are looking to solve the homeless situation. The experts who spoke at the homeless forum in North Park urged San Diegans not to give money directly to the homeless but instead donate to established groups that are working with the homeless and providing extra-care services beyond housing, such as job training, healthcare and support groups that deal with addiction issues. But your editor understands your compassion. Just in the past week or so, I was walking down the street in North Park carrying home an extra slice of pizza but gave it to a young homeless man who had approached me and said he was hungry. A few days later, I had a huge portion of French fries and onion rings left over from dinner, and gave that to another hungry man who approached me in Hillcrest. But I will not give cash to a homeless individual because the experts agree that the money would likely go toward feeding their addiction.]
