Life on the Streets
A Series in Five Parts - Part 1
A. Charnock, G. Harlin
Issue date: 4/4/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
It sucks to be homeless. Then again, we've never been
homeless. So why write a series on something that we
haven't personally experienced? Firstly, homelessness
is a riveting subject, both human and tragic. Secondly, it is a concern of Dallas, which has a population of over 7,000 homeless individuals. We are currently filming a documentary film on homelessness in Dallas, and having explored the subject for 3 months, here are our views.
In researching homelessness, we have chosen to concentrate on four major facets. The first is the city itself, the police, the laws, the businesses, and the shelters. The police have daily encounters with the homeless population, mostly through the enforcement of trespassing and loitering laws as a
means to discourage the homeless from inhabiting the streets. Businesses are currently divided between assisting the homeless and keeping them away from downtown, where their presence negatively impacts commerce. For its part, the city runs a Day Resource Center, scheduled to be replaced with the new Homeless Assistance Shelter in 2008.
Where the city assistance ends, private charities step in. There are numerous faith based and private organizations assisting the homeless with job training, housing, food, and clothing. These organizations can be found throughout the downtown and Fair Park areas.
Examining the history of homelessness in the city can be equally discouraging. The largest influx of homeless came during the recession in the 1980's, when many marginally poor families could no longer afford housing and were driven onto the streets. The demographics completely changed at this point, as the number of homeless women, children, and minorities increased. Today the situation continues to stagnate as the city and charities fight to contain the "problem." Crack cocaine, crime, and prostitution continue to ravage the street population.
Finally, we concentrate on the individuals; police officers, volunteers at the soup kitchen, the city council, church members, and the homeless. From our interviews we know that every person on the street has a different story, and while there are those who fit the "bum" stereotype, the overwhelming majority is faced with individual problems. These primarily exist
in the form of mental illness and drug addiction. It is safe to say that upwards of 70% of the homeless suffer from mental illness, substance abuse, or both.
Our goal is to share what we know in hopes that people
will better understand homelessness and what can be done about it.
***
Alan Charnock is a bright eyed 19 year-old from Midlothian, Texas. He is currently pursuing an English degree at the University of Dallas. He is also working on a feature length documentary with filmmaker Gregory Harlin.
Gregory Harlin is a jaded filmmaker of 20 years. He is hard at work on his first documentary. In his spare time he plays with puppies and devises new ways to torture audiences.
homeless. So why write a series on something that we
haven't personally experienced? Firstly, homelessness
is a riveting subject, both human and tragic. Secondly, it is a concern of Dallas, which has a population of over 7,000 homeless individuals. We are currently filming a documentary film on homelessness in Dallas, and having explored the subject for 3 months, here are our views.
In researching homelessness, we have chosen to concentrate on four major facets. The first is the city itself, the police, the laws, the businesses, and the shelters. The police have daily encounters with the homeless population, mostly through the enforcement of trespassing and loitering laws as a
means to discourage the homeless from inhabiting the streets. Businesses are currently divided between assisting the homeless and keeping them away from downtown, where their presence negatively impacts commerce. For its part, the city runs a Day Resource Center, scheduled to be replaced with the new Homeless Assistance Shelter in 2008.
Where the city assistance ends, private charities step in. There are numerous faith based and private organizations assisting the homeless with job training, housing, food, and clothing. These organizations can be found throughout the downtown and Fair Park areas.
Examining the history of homelessness in the city can be equally discouraging. The largest influx of homeless came during the recession in the 1980's, when many marginally poor families could no longer afford housing and were driven onto the streets. The demographics completely changed at this point, as the number of homeless women, children, and minorities increased. Today the situation continues to stagnate as the city and charities fight to contain the "problem." Crack cocaine, crime, and prostitution continue to ravage the street population.
Finally, we concentrate on the individuals; police officers, volunteers at the soup kitchen, the city council, church members, and the homeless. From our interviews we know that every person on the street has a different story, and while there are those who fit the "bum" stereotype, the overwhelming majority is faced with individual problems. These primarily exist
in the form of mental illness and drug addiction. It is safe to say that upwards of 70% of the homeless suffer from mental illness, substance abuse, or both.
Our goal is to share what we know in hopes that people
will better understand homelessness and what can be done about it.
***
Alan Charnock is a bright eyed 19 year-old from Midlothian, Texas. He is currently pursuing an English degree at the University of Dallas. He is also working on a feature length documentary with filmmaker Gregory Harlin.
Gregory Harlin is a jaded filmmaker of 20 years. He is hard at work on his first documentary. In his spare time he plays with puppies and devises new ways to torture audiences.
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